Working with a SharePoint Development Agency: The Pros and Cons
Introduction
SharePoint is a powerful platform for building websites and intranets. It offers a wide range of features and capabilities that can help organizations improve collaboration, streamline processes, and enhance productivity. However, developing and managing a SharePoint site can be a complex and time-consuming task. Many organizations choose to outsource their SharePoint development to a specialized agency. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of working with a SharePoint development agency.
Pros of Working with a SharePoint Development Agency
1. Expertise and Experience
A SharePoint development agency specializes in building and managing SharePoint sites. They have a team of experts who are well-versed in SharePoint development, customization, and administration. By working with an agency, you can leverage their expertise and experience to ensure that your SharePoint site is built and maintained to the highest standards.
2. Time and Cost Savings
Outsourcing SharePoint development to an agency can save you time and money. Instead of hiring and training an in-house team, you can rely on the agency’s existing resources and infrastructure. This can significantly reduce the time and cost involved in setting up and managing a SharePoint development environment. Additionally, the agency can handle routine maintenance and updates, allowing your internal IT team to focus on other strategic initiatives.
3. Customization and Flexibility
A SharePoint development agency can provide you with a high level of customization and flexibility. They can tailor the SharePoint site to meet your specific requirements and integrate it with other systems and applications. Whether you need a simple intranet or a complex enterprise portal, the agency can design and develop a solution that aligns with your business goals and objectives.
4. Access to Latest Technologies and Best Practices
SharePoint is constantly evolving, with new features and updates being released regularly. A SharePoint development agency stays up-to-date with the latest technologies and best practices in SharePoint development. By working with an agency, you can ensure that your SharePoint site is built using the most current and efficient methods. This can result in improved performance, security, and user experience.
5. Managed Services and Support
Many SharePoint development agencies offer managed services and support. This means that they can take care of the day-to-day management and maintenance of your SharePoint site, including backups, security updates, and troubleshooting. By outsourcing these tasks to the agency, you can free up your internal IT team to focus on more strategic initiatives and ensure that your SharePoint site is always up and running smoothly.
Cons of Working with a SharePoint Development Agency
1. Lack of Internal Control
When you outsource SharePoint development to an agency, you may have less control over the development process and timeline. You will need to rely on the agency to understand and implement your requirements accurately. This can be a challenge if there is a lack of effective communication or if the agency does not fully understand your business needs.
2. Dependency on the Agency
Working with a SharePoint development agency means that you will be dependent on them for ongoing support and maintenance. If the agency experiences any issues or goes out of business, it can disrupt your SharePoint site and leave you without immediate support. It is important to choose a reliable and reputable agency that has a proven track record in SharePoint development.
3. Potential Communication Challenges
Outsourcing SharePoint development to an agency may introduce communication challenges, especially if the agency is located in a different time zone or if there are language barriers. It is important to establish clear communication channels and expectations from the beginning to ensure effective collaboration and minimize misunderstandings.
4. Limited Knowledge Transfer
When you outsource SharePoint development, there may be limited knowledge transfer between the agency and your internal team. This can make it difficult to maintain and update the SharePoint site in the future without the agency’s assistance. It is important to document the development process and ensure that your internal team receives proper training and documentation to ensure long-term sustainability.
5. Cost Considerations
While outsourcing SharePoint development can save you time and money in the short term, it is important to consider the long-term cost implications. Ongoing maintenance and support fees can add up over time, and you may need to budget for additional development work or upgrades in the future. It is important to carefully evaluate the cost-benefit analysis before deciding to outsource SharePoint development.
Conclusion
Working with a SharePoint development agency has its pros and cons. It can provide you with expertise, time and cost savings, customization, access to latest technologies, and managed services. However, it also comes with potential challenges such as lack of control, dependency on the agency, communication challenges, limited knowledge transfer, and cost considerations. Before deciding to outsource SharePoint development, it is important to carefully evaluate your business needs, budget, and long-term goals. By choosing the right agency and establishing clear communication and expectations, you can maximize the benefits and minimize the drawbacks of working with a SharePoint development agency.