Microsoft SharePoint is a software suite of tools that allows for many different functions. Businesses can use the software for document management, the development of an intranet or for social collaboration. The tools are delivered across a network and are accessed through a standard web browser in most cases.The individual components can be customized so that every business using the software has a streamlined series of services available to employees. This hosted solution for collaboration has a few key benefits.
Reliably Deliver Content To Any Location
The web-based applications are designed to run on a central server. This could be a managed third-part host or an internal server setup. Each employee that must access the services does so across a network with a simple web browser or other client. The result of this configuration is that anyone in any location will have full access to the services that are being provided.
Documents, custom applications and internal websites for departments are accessible to anyone who has permission to use the network. Additionally, the newest versions of the software provide support for access through mobile devices.
Manage Changes To Content
SharePoint has a variety of options available to control changes to content or documents. There is the familiar versioning control system that helps to maintain a large repository of frequently changing documents. A similar system permits a user to have exclusive access to a single document in order to prevent problems with simultaneous changes that might cause conflicts. These systems track changes and save previous versions of a document in case the need arises to revert completely to an older version.
Scale Upwards As Needed
The centralized server software is designed to scale upwards as needed without requiring additional applications or new hardware. This means that a business could start with a very small repository of documents and just a handful of collaborative sites. This can be expanded exponentially as needed without taxing the software. This type of easy scalability is not easily achieved with some other similar systems.
Focused Tools For Collaboration
One of the most notable features of the software is the ability to create workspaces for each department, project or team. These websites are accessible to anyone who is part of a particular group. They can be easily updated to reflect the latest information.
This creates a customizable space that can include forums, chat rooms and other collaborative areas. Employees are able to use this space naturally to exchange information, work through problems or distribute assignments for the day.
Customization
SharePoint provides a very powerful framework that developers are able to use to expand the capabilities of the core platform. These customizations could include new web-based applications, different server-side processing routines or even integration with existing third-party services.
Developing new applications within this framework will allow a business to change the way that the suite operates in order to meet new demands. This is especially valuable when dealing with the rapidly changing technologies of the Internet and mobile devices. This level of customization will ensure that the platform never becomes outdated and unusable.
This overview of the SharePoint software suite was brought to you on behalf of KwizCom Corporation.
Faizan Ahmad About the Author:
This article is posted by Faizan who is the Author and Founder of TechSenser. He is a Professional Blogger from India and a passionate writer about Technology, Gadgets, How-to-Guides, etc. You can connect him on Google+.
