SharePoint

SharePoint is a web-based collaboration platform that integrates with Microsoft Office. Developed by Microsoft, SharePoint is primarily used by businesses to create websites, but it's also a secure place to store, organise, share, and access information from almost any device. The main goal of SharePoint is to facilitate collaboration within organisations.

Here are some key features and aspects of SharePoint:

• Document Management and Storage: SharePoint offers robust document management capabilities, allowing for the storage, retrieval, searching, archiving, tracking, management, and reporting on electronic documents and records.
• Intranet and Team Sites: Organisations use SharePoint to create intranet sites—a private network within a company or organisation. These sites can serve as portals where employees can get company news, access shared resources, and collaborate on projects.
• Collaboration: SharePoint facilitates collaborative work by allowing multiple team members to work on a document simultaneously, track changes, and manage versions.
• Lists and Libraries: In SharePoint, data and content can be stored in lists (similar to databases) and libraries (for documents). These can be customised and can have attached workflows to automate business processes.
• Integration with Microsoft Office: SharePoint integrates closely with Microsoft Office applications. For example, a user can save a Word document directly to a SharePoint library or use Excel to analyse data stored in a SharePoint list.
• Search: SharePoint provides powerful search capabilities, making it easier for users to find the information they need within their organisation's content.
• Workflows: SharePoint includes customisable workflows that automate various processes, such as approval workflows where a document must be reviewed and approved by various stakeholders.
• Customisability: One of SharePoint's significant strengths is its customisability. Organisations can use SharePoint Designer or other tools to customise their SharePoint environment, tailoring it to their specific needs.
• SharePoint Online: As a part of the Microsoft 365 (previously known as Office 365) suite, SharePoint Online offers many of the features of the on-premises version but is hosted by Microsoft, reducing the infrastructure overhead for businesses.
• Forms and Business Intelligence Tools: SharePoint provides tools to create forms (using Microsoft Forms or PowerApps) and offers business intelligence tools, integrating with Power BI and other analytics tools.
• Security and Compliance: SharePoint includes robust security features, ensuring data integrity and compliance with various regulations. Permissions can be set at very granular levels to control access to sites, libraries, lists, and even individual documents.

SharePoint has evolved over the years and has been used by a wide variety of organisations, from small businesses to large enterprises, to facilitate communication, collaboration, and the management of electronic content.