AvePoint Opus: Records Management and Storage Optimisation for Microsoft 365
Replace complex, manual retention tasks with a single engine that classifies, governs and defensibly disposes of records across Microsoft 365 and legacy repositories, while storing audit evidence and optimising storage in SharePoint.
Why Organisations Add Opus to Microsoft 365
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Close the native gaps – Multi-stage retention rules, hierarchical schedules and bulk disposal certificates not yet available in Microsoft Purview.
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Hybrid reach – Govern on-prem file shares, Exchange archives and SharePoint Online from one console.
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Audit made simple – Automated disposal certificates are filed as immutable records for regulators and internal auditors.
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Policy at scale – Apply hundreds of Functional & General Authority classes in minutes, not weeks.
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Storage optimisation & ROT cleanup – Prune duplicates, archive dormant sites and quarantine stale files before migration, cutting storage costs and improving search results by removing redundant, obsolete and trivial content.
Key Capabilities
Advanced Lifecycle & Hierarchical Taxonomy
Mirrors your Business Classification Scheme and supports multi-stage “Retain, Transfer, Archive, Destroy” workflows—no PowerShell or custom code required.
AI-Powered Auto-Classification
Machine-learning models analyse content and metadata to assign the correct record class automatically.
Automated Compliance & Disposal Certificates
Every destruction job generates a signed PDF certificate stored back in SharePoint for permanent audit evidence.
Cross-Repository Coverage
Govern SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, file shares and Exchange mailboxes from a single pane of glass, ensuring no content falls outside policy.
Storage Optimisation & ROT Cleanup
Eliminate duplicates, archive dormant sites and stale content to cut storage costs and improve search.
Real-Time
Dashboards
Surface holds, upcoming disposals, policy exceptions and storage hotspots for records managers and executives—so you always know where risk or waste exists.
How Opus Compares to Native Microsoft Purview
| Requirement | Microsoft Purview | AvePoint Opus |
|---|---|---|
| Hierarchical file plan | Flat labels only | ✔ Full hierarchy |
| Multi-stage retention | Basic single stage | ✔ Unlimited stages |
| Disposal certificate | Manual CSV export | ✔ Automated PDF filed to SPO |
| Hybrid content sources | Microsoft 365 only | ✔ Microsoft 365 + on-prem |
| Storage optimisation & ROT cleanup | Limited manual options | ✔ Built-in dedupe & pruning |
| Licence model | Included with E5 | ✔ Subscription per user / TB |
(Microsoft Purview still provides sensitivity labels, DLP and eDiscovery—Opus layers advanced lifecycle controls on top.)
Typical Outcomes
100 % metadata preservation
Chain-of-custody maintained through every lifecycle stage for full compliance.
Sharper search results
Duplicate and outdated drafts no longer clutter the index, letting users find authoritative records faster.
Audit prep cut by 75 %
Instant access to disposal certificates and policy dashboards reduces manual reporting.
30–60 % storage reclaimed
By disposing of redundant versions and ROT content, you save on Microsoft 365 storage add-ons and backup volumes.
Is Opus the Right Fit?
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Best for – Agencies with complex retention schedules, hybrid content sources or strict audit requirements.
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Pair with – Microsoft Purview for sensitivity labels, DLP and legal hold.
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Migration ready – Works seamlessly with our TRIM / Content Manager accelerator to move only what you truly need.
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In the face of ongoing changes in the global workforce, HR automation has evolved from an optional luxury to an essential tool for achieving efficiency and compliance.
This eBook presents twelve use cases for HR process improvement that can kick-start your organisation’s automation journey. We hope you enjoy this ebook.
Ready to See Opus in Action?
Book a 30-minute demo and discover how AvePoint Opus can close your retention gaps, optimise storage and simplify compliance across Microsoft 365.