Demystifying the SharePoint Portal for Non-Techies
Introduction
SharePoint is a powerful platform developed by Microsoft that allows organizations to create websites, intranets, and collaboration portals. While SharePoint may seem intimidating to non-techies, this article aims to demystify the platform and explain its benefits in a non-technical manner.
What is SharePoint?
SharePoint is a web-based platform that integrates with Microsoft Office. It provides organizations with a centralized location to store, organize, share, and access information from any device with an internet connection. SharePoint offers a wide range of features and functionalities that can be customized to meet the specific needs of an organization.
Benefits of SharePoint
SharePoint offers numerous benefits for organizations, including:
- Centralized document management: SharePoint allows organizations to store and manage documents in a centralized location, making it easier to find and collaborate on files.
- Collaboration and communication: SharePoint provides tools for team collaboration, such as shared calendars, task lists, and discussion boards.
- Customizable intranet: SharePoint can be used to create a customized intranet that serves as a central hub for employees to access information, news, and resources.
- Workflow automation: SharePoint offers workflow capabilities that automate business processes, reducing manual tasks and improving efficiency.
- Integration with other Microsoft tools: SharePoint seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft tools, such as Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, enhancing productivity and collaboration.
SharePoint On-Premise vs SharePoint Online
SharePoint is available in two deployment options: on-premise and online. On-premise SharePoint is installed and hosted on an organization’s own servers, providing full control and customization capabilities. SharePoint Online, on the other hand, is a cloud-based solution hosted by Microsoft, offering scalability, accessibility, and automatic updates.
Intranet Design and Development
SharePoint can be used to design and develop intranets that serve as a central hub for employees to access information, collaborate, and stay updated with company news. Intranets can be customized to reflect an organization’s branding and include features such as document libraries, news feeds, employee directories, and discussion boards.
Outsourcing SharePoint Development
Organizations that lack the in-house expertise or resources to develop and maintain SharePoint solutions can consider outsourcing SharePoint development to a specialized agency. A SharePoint development agency can provide expertise in designing, developing, and managing SharePoint solutions, ensuring optimal performance and user experience.
Custom SharePoint Development
SharePoint offers a wide range of out-of-the-box features and functionalities. However, organizations with unique requirements may need custom SharePoint development to tailor the platform to their specific needs. Custom SharePoint development involves creating custom web parts, workflows, and integrations to enhance the functionality and usability of SharePoint.
Managed SharePoint Services
Managed SharePoint services involve outsourcing the management and maintenance of SharePoint to a specialized provider. This allows organizations to focus on their core business activities while ensuring that their SharePoint environment is secure, up-to-date, and optimized for performance. Managed SharePoint services can include regular updates, security patches, backups, and technical support.
Conclusion
SharePoint is a powerful platform that offers numerous benefits for organizations, including centralized document management, collaboration and communication tools, customizable intranets, workflow automation, and integration with other Microsoft tools. Whether organizations choose to deploy SharePoint on-premise or opt for the cloud-based SharePoint Online, the platform can be customized and tailored to meet their specific needs. Outsourcing SharePoint development and utilizing managed SharePoint services can help organizations maximize the potential of SharePoint and ensure optimal performance and user experience.