PointBeyond

When SharePoint was first released, the idea of a web site where users could upload documents, and manage their own lists, calendars, etc was quite novel to many people. It was, as we all know, a runaway success and SharePoint has been widely adopted across many organisations. Many other software vendors, as well as Microsoft, also provide collaboration platforms.

Now more and more collaboration platforms are becoming available, with cloud offerings such as Box.net, Huddle, Google Docs and many others being added to the mix.

One of the differentiators of SharePoint 2010 is that you can use it as a platform for the delivery of business applications, as well as for straightforward collaboration. Even the entry level SharePoint 2010 Foundation gives you:

• Out of the box and custom lists and views. These lists can be linked to deliver simple data driven applications
• Built in security model. You can set permissions to control who can see and do what
• Ability to build workflows using SharePoint Designer
• Forms that use the InfoPath client (part of some editions of Microsoft Office)
• Core Business Connectivity Services functionality, for interacting with data in other systems
• An open platform for enhancement through custom development and integration with other systems
• Possibility to use SQL Server Reporting Services in SharePoint integrated mode to build reports and dashboards

Once you move up the licencing scale to SharePoint Server 2010 Enterprise, you get the “Composites” functionality that adds significantly to the toolset available for building applications. This includes

• Excel Services, for interacting with and publishing parts of Excel spreadsheets through the browser
• InfoPath Forms Services, that takes InfoPath forms and renders them in the browser
• Visio Services, for publishing data driven diagrams
• Access Services, for converting Access Databases to SharePoint lists and forms, and allowing browser based interaction
• Enhanced Business Connectivity Services
• Various web parts and out-of-the-box workflows

This rich toolset for quickly delivering business applications sets SharePoint apart from many collaboration platforms, and it should be a major consideration for many organisations when choosing a collaboration platform.

Our technology neutral white paper, “The Business Applications Deficit” looks at the drivers behind the need for business applications, and the challenges faced by organisations in implementing applications. To receive your complimentary copy please click here.