The Case for 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. However, organizations often face the dilemma of choosing between hosted SharePoint services and on-premise SharePoint deployments. In this article, we will make the case for hosted SharePoint services and discuss the benefits they offer.
What are Hosted SharePoint Services?
Hosted SharePoint services refer to the practice of outsourcing the management and hosting of SharePoint to a third-party provider. Instead of setting up and maintaining their own SharePoint infrastructure, organizations can rely on a service provider to handle the technical aspects of SharePoint deployment. This allows organizations to focus on their core business activities while enjoying the benefits of SharePoint.
Benefits of Hosted SharePoint Services
1. Cost Savings
One of the main advantages of hosted SharePoint services is cost savings. Setting up and maintaining an on-premise SharePoint infrastructure can be expensive, requiring significant upfront investments in hardware, software, and IT resources. With hosted SharePoint services, organizations can avoid these costs and pay a monthly or annual fee to the service provider. This makes SharePoint more accessible to small and medium-sized businesses that may not have the resources to invest in an on-premise deployment.
2. Scalability and Flexibility
Hosted SharePoint services offer scalability and flexibility. Organizations can easily scale their SharePoint environment up or down based on their needs. If they need additional storage or computing resources, they can simply upgrade their hosting plan. This eliminates the need to invest in additional hardware or software licenses. Additionally, hosted SharePoint services allow organizations to access SharePoint from anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection. This enables remote work and collaboration, which is especially important in today’s digital age.
3. Expert Support and Maintenance
When organizations opt for hosted SharePoint services, they benefit from expert support and maintenance. The service provider is responsible for ensuring the availability and performance of the SharePoint environment. They handle tasks such as backups, security updates, and system maintenance. This allows organizations to focus on their core business activities without worrying about the technical aspects of SharePoint management. Additionally, service providers often have a team of SharePoint experts who can provide assistance and guidance when needed.
4. Security and Compliance
Hosted SharePoint services offer enhanced security and compliance features. Service providers implement robust security measures to protect the SharePoint environment from unauthorized access and data breaches. They also ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards, such as GDPR and HIPAA. This is particularly important for organizations that handle sensitive or confidential information. By relying on a trusted service provider, organizations can mitigate the risks associated with data security and compliance.
5. Continuous Updates and Upgrades
Another benefit of hosted SharePoint services is continuous updates and upgrades. Service providers are responsible for keeping the SharePoint environment up to date with the latest features and security patches. This ensures that organizations always have access to the latest capabilities and improvements. With on-premise deployments, organizations need to allocate resources and plan for upgrades, which can be time-consuming and disruptive. Hosted SharePoint services eliminate this burden and ensure that organizations can leverage the full potential of SharePoint.
Conclusion
Hosted SharePoint services offer numerous benefits, including cost savings, scalability, expert support, enhanced security, and continuous updates. By outsourcing the management and hosting of SharePoint, organizations can focus on their core business activities while enjoying the advantages of SharePoint. Whether you are a small business or a large enterprise, hosted SharePoint services can provide a cost-effective and efficient solution for your website, intranet, and collaboration needs.