The Benefits and Drawbacks 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 capabilities that can enhance productivity and streamline business processes. When it comes to implementing SharePoint, organizations have the option to choose between hosted SharePoint services or managing SharePoint on-premise. In this article, we will explore the benefits and drawbacks of hosted SharePoint services and discuss how SharePoint development agencies can assist with SharePoint website and intranet design and development.
Benefits of Hosted SharePoint Services
1. Cost Savings: One of the main advantages of hosted SharePoint services is cost savings. With hosted services, organizations do not need to invest in expensive hardware, software licenses, and infrastructure. The hosting provider takes care of all the maintenance and upgrades, reducing the overall IT costs for the organization.
2. Scalability: Hosted SharePoint services offer scalability, allowing organizations to easily scale up or down their SharePoint environment based on their needs. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for organizations with fluctuating user demands or seasonal spikes in activity.
3. Accessibility: Hosted SharePoint services provide easy access to SharePoint sites and content from anywhere, at any time. Users can collaborate and access information remotely, making it ideal for organizations with remote or distributed teams.
Drawbacks of Hosted SharePoint Services
1. Limited Customization: Hosted SharePoint services may have limitations when it comes to customization. Organizations may not have full control over the customization options and may be restricted to the features and capabilities provided by the hosting provider.
2. Dependence on Hosting Provider: With hosted SharePoint services, organizations rely on the hosting provider for maintenance, support, and upgrades. If the hosting provider experiences downtime or other issues, it can impact the organization’s access to SharePoint and disrupt business operations.
3. Data Security Concerns: Hosting SharePoint services externally may raise data security concerns for some organizations. It is important to carefully evaluate the security measures and protocols implemented by the hosting provider to ensure the protection of sensitive data.
SharePoint Development Agencies
SharePoint development agencies specialize in SharePoint website and intranet design and development. They have the expertise and experience to create customized SharePoint solutions tailored to the specific needs of organizations. These agencies can assist with various aspects of SharePoint implementation, including:
- Intranet design and development
- SharePoint website development
- SharePoint intranet development
- Custom SharePoint development
- Outsourcing SharePoint development
SharePoint On-Premise vs SharePoint Online
When considering hosted SharePoint services, organizations have the option to choose between SharePoint on-premise and SharePoint online. Here are some key differences between the two:
SharePoint On-Premise: With SharePoint on-premise, organizations host and manage their SharePoint environment on their own servers. This offers greater control and customization options but requires significant upfront investment in hardware and infrastructure.
SharePoint Online: SharePoint online is a cloud-based version of SharePoint that is hosted and managed by Microsoft. It offers the advantage of easy scalability, automatic updates, and reduced IT maintenance. However, organizations may have limited customization options compared to SharePoint on-premise.
Outsourcing SharePoint Development
Outsourcing SharePoint development to a specialized SharePoint development agency can offer several benefits:
1. Expertise and Experience: SharePoint development agencies have a team of experienced professionals who specialize in SharePoint development. They have in-depth knowledge of SharePoint’s capabilities and can provide valuable insights and recommendations for optimizing the platform.
2. Cost Savings: Outsourcing SharePoint development can be cost-effective compared to hiring an in-house team. Organizations can save on recruitment, training, and infrastructure costs by leveraging the expertise of a SharePoint development agency.
3. Time Efficiency: SharePoint development agencies have streamlined processes and workflows in place, allowing them to deliver projects within the agreed timelines. This can help organizations accelerate their SharePoint implementation and start reaping the benefits sooner.
Managed SharePoint Services
Managed SharePoint services provide ongoing support and maintenance for SharePoint environments. These services can include:
- 24/7 monitoring and support
- Regular backups and disaster recovery
- Security updates and patches
- Performance optimization
- User training and support
By utilizing managed SharePoint services, organizations can ensure the smooth operation of their SharePoint environment and focus on their core business activities.
Conclusion
Hosted SharePoint services offer numerous benefits, including cost savings, scalability, and accessibility. However, organizations should also consider the drawbacks, such as limited customization and dependence on the hosting provider. SharePoint development agencies can assist with SharePoint website and intranet design and development, providing customized solutions tailored to the organization’s needs. Outsourcing SharePoint development can offer expertise, cost savings, and time efficiency. Managed SharePoint services provide ongoing support and maintenance, ensuring the smooth operation of SharePoint environments. By carefully evaluating the options and partnering with the right SharePoint development agency, organizations can leverage the full potential of hosted SharePoint services.