Exploring the Advantages of Hosted SharePoint Services
Introduction
SharePoint is a powerful platform developed by Microsoft that allows organizations to create websites, intranets, and collaboration spaces. It offers a wide range of features and functionalities that can be customized to meet specific business needs. While SharePoint can be deployed on-premise, many organizations are now opting for hosted SharePoint services. In this article, we will explore the advantages of hosted SharePoint services and why organizations should consider outsourcing SharePoint development to a specialized agency.
Advantages of Hosted SharePoint Services
1. Cost Savings
One of the main advantages of hosted SharePoint services is cost savings. When organizations choose to host SharePoint on-premise, they need to invest in hardware, software licenses, and IT infrastructure. This can be a significant upfront cost and ongoing maintenance expenses. With hosted SharePoint services, organizations can eliminate these costs as the hosting provider takes care of the infrastructure and maintenance. This allows organizations to allocate their resources more efficiently and focus on their core business activities.
2. Scalability and Flexibility
Hosted SharePoint services offer scalability and flexibility. Organizations can easily scale up or down their SharePoint resources based on their needs. This flexibility allows organizations to adapt to changing business requirements without any hassle. Additionally, hosted SharePoint services offer the flexibility to customize the platform according to specific business needs. Organizations can choose the features and functionalities they require and customize the user interface to match their branding and design guidelines.
3. Expert Support and Maintenance
When organizations choose hosted SharePoint services, they benefit from expert support and maintenance provided by the hosting provider. The hosting provider has a team of SharePoint experts who are responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of the platform. They handle all the technical aspects, including updates, patches, and security measures. This allows organizations to focus on their core business activities while leaving the technical aspects to the experts.
4. Enhanced Security
Hosted SharePoint services offer enhanced security compared to on-premise deployments. Hosting providers have robust security measures in place to protect the SharePoint environment from unauthorized access, data breaches, and other security threats. They regularly update and patch the system to ensure it is protected against the latest vulnerabilities. Additionally, hosting providers often have backup and disaster recovery mechanisms in place to ensure data integrity and availability.
5. Accessibility and Collaboration
Hosted SharePoint services enable organizations to access their SharePoint environment from anywhere, at any time. This allows employees to collaborate and work together on projects, even if they are geographically dispersed. Hosted SharePoint services also offer mobile accessibility, allowing employees to access SharePoint from their smartphones and tablets. This enhances productivity and collaboration within the organization.
Outsourcing SharePoint Development to a Specialized Agency
Organizations can benefit from outsourcing SharePoint development to a specialized agency. A SharePoint development agency has the expertise and experience to design and develop a SharePoint website or intranet that meets the organization’s specific requirements. They can customize the platform, integrate third-party tools and applications, and provide ongoing support and maintenance.
1. Custom SharePoint Development
A specialized SharePoint development agency can provide custom SharePoint development services. They can tailor the platform to match the organization’s branding and design guidelines. They can also develop custom features and functionalities to meet specific business needs. This allows organizations to have a unique and personalized SharePoint environment that aligns with their business goals.
2. Managed SharePoint Services
A SharePoint development agency can offer managed SharePoint services, which include ongoing support and maintenance. They can handle all the technical aspects, including updates, patches, and security measures. This allows organizations to focus on their core business activities while leaving the technical aspects to the experts. Managed SharePoint services ensure the smooth operation of the platform and minimize downtime.
3. Expertise and Experience
A specialized SharePoint development agency has the expertise and experience to design and develop SharePoint websites and intranets. They have a deep understanding of SharePoint’s capabilities and can leverage them to create a powerful and user-friendly platform. They stay updated with the latest trends and best practices in SharePoint development, ensuring that the organization’s SharePoint environment is up to date and optimized.
4. Cost and Time Savings
Outsourcing SharePoint development to a specialized agency can result in cost and time savings. The agency already has the necessary infrastructure, tools, and expertise, eliminating the need for organizations to invest in them. Additionally, the agency can complete the development project in a shorter timeframe compared to in-house development, allowing organizations to start using the SharePoint environment sooner.
5. Focus on Core Business Activities
By outsourcing SharePoint development to a specialized agency, organizations can focus on their core business activities. They can allocate their resources more efficiently and leverage the expertise of the agency to create a powerful SharePoint environment. This allows organizations to enhance productivity, collaboration, and efficiency within the organization.
Conclusion
Hosted SharePoint services offer numerous advantages, including cost savings, scalability, expert support, enhanced security, and accessibility. Organizations can further benefit from outsourcing SharePoint development to a specialized agency, which provides custom SharePoint development, managed SharePoint services, expertise and experience, cost and time savings, and the ability to focus on core business activities. By leveraging hosted SharePoint services and outsourcing SharePoint development, organizations can create a powerful SharePoint environment that meets their specific business needs.