The Nuts and Bolts of SharePoint Architecture: A Closer Look
Introduction
SharePoint is a powerful platform developed by Microsoft that allows organizations to create, manage, and share content and applications. It offers a wide range of features and capabilities, making it a popular choice for businesses of all sizes. In this article, we will take a closer look at the nuts and bolts of SharePoint architecture, including its various components and deployment options.
SharePoint Development Agency
A SharePoint development agency is a company or organization that specializes in creating custom SharePoint solutions for businesses. These agencies have a team of experienced developers who are well-versed in SharePoint development and can create tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of their clients. Whether it’s building a SharePoint website, developing a SharePoint intranet, or creating custom SharePoint applications, a SharePoint development agency can provide the expertise and resources needed to bring these projects to life.
SharePoint Website
A SharePoint website is a web-based platform built on SharePoint that allows organizations to create and manage their public-facing websites. It provides a range of features and tools for designing and publishing content, managing user access, and integrating with other systems. SharePoint websites are highly customizable and can be tailored to match the organization’s branding and design requirements. With SharePoint’s robust content management capabilities, organizations can easily create and update website content without the need for technical expertise.
SharePoint Intranet
A SharePoint intranet is an internal website or portal that allows organizations to centralize and share information, collaborate on projects, and streamline business processes. It serves as a hub for employees to access important documents, company news, and communication tools. SharePoint intranets can be customized to meet the specific needs of the organization, with features such as document libraries, discussion boards, task lists, and workflows. They provide a secure and organized environment for employees to collaborate and access information, improving productivity and efficiency.
SharePoint On-Premise vs SharePoint Online
SharePoint is available in two deployment options: on-premise and online. SharePoint on-premise refers to the traditional installation of SharePoint on the organization’s own servers. This gives organizations full control over the infrastructure and allows for customization and integration with other systems. However, it also requires a dedicated IT team to manage and maintain the servers, as well as upfront hardware and software costs.
SharePoint Online, on the other hand, is a cloud-based version of SharePoint that is hosted and managed by Microsoft. It offers many of the same features as SharePoint on-premise, but with the added benefits of scalability, automatic updates, and reduced IT overhead. SharePoint Online is a popular choice for organizations that want to leverage the power of SharePoint without the need for extensive IT resources.
Intranet Design and Development
Intranet design and development is the process of creating a customized and user-friendly intranet for an organization. It involves designing the layout and visual elements of the intranet, as well as developing the underlying functionality and features. A well-designed intranet should be intuitive to navigate, visually appealing, and aligned with the organization’s branding and design guidelines. It should also provide easy access to important information and tools, promote collaboration and communication, and streamline business processes.
SharePoint Intranet Development
SharePoint intranet development is the process of building and customizing a SharePoint intranet to meet the specific needs of an organization. This involves creating and configuring site collections, designing and implementing site templates, setting up document libraries and lists, and integrating with other systems. SharePoint intranet development requires a deep understanding of SharePoint’s architecture and capabilities, as well as expertise in web development and design. A SharePoint development agency can provide the necessary skills and resources to ensure a successful intranet development project.
Outsourcing SharePoint Development
Outsourcing SharePoint development refers to hiring a third-party company or agency to handle the development and customization of SharePoint solutions. This can be a cost-effective option for organizations that do not have the in-house expertise or resources to develop SharePoint solutions themselves. By outsourcing SharePoint development, organizations can leverage the skills and experience of external experts, reduce development time and costs, and ensure high-quality and reliable solutions.
Custom SharePoint Development
Custom SharePoint development involves creating tailored solutions and applications on top of the SharePoint platform. This can include building custom web parts, workflows, forms, and integration with other systems. Custom SharePoint development allows organizations to extend the functionality of SharePoint to meet their unique business requirements. It requires a deep understanding of SharePoint’s development framework and APIs, as well as expertise in web development and programming languages such as C# and JavaScript.
Managed SharePoint Services
Managed SharePoint services refer to the ongoing support and maintenance of SharePoint solutions. This can include managing user access and permissions, monitoring and troubleshooting issues, performing regular backups and updates, and providing technical support to users. Managed SharePoint services ensure that SharePoint solutions are running smoothly and securely, allowing organizations to focus on their core business activities. Many SharePoint development agencies offer managed services as part of their offerings, providing organizations with peace of mind and reliable support.
Conclusion
SharePoint architecture is a complex and powerful framework that offers a wide range of features and capabilities for organizations. Whether it’s building a SharePoint website, developing a SharePoint intranet, or creating custom SharePoint solutions, a SharePoint development agency can provide the expertise and resources needed to bring these projects to life. By understanding the nuts and bolts of SharePoint architecture and leveraging the right deployment options and development strategies, organizations can harness the full potential of SharePoint to improve collaboration, streamline business processes, and drive productivity.