SharePoint is a one-of-a-kind collaborative platform that has taken organizations by storm with its transformational virtual real-time workspace since its launch in 2001.
The need for a collaborative content management system has become a necessary part of every organization today. The biggest challenge for SharePoint, however, came from one of the biggest disruptors- the Cloud. Amazingly, SharePoint along with Office 365 has stood strong through this test and has also used these latest technologies to its advantage.
Five versions of SharePoint have been released between 2003 and 2016, adding newer features and making it more relevant every time. Microsoft, the #1 enterprise technology solution provider in the world brought a gradual change in the ecosystem. When they established Office 365 in 2011, people were confused about what would be the future of SharePoint.
Luckily, SharePoint is now available with both its online and Premise versions with unique values to offer. The online version automatically comes with the subscription-based Office 365.
Powered by Team sites, Groups, OneDrive, and Office 365 as a whole, Microsoft has kept it open for clients to use SharePoint the way they want, taking workplace technology to a whole new level. continue to be in strong demand.
Custom SharePoint Solutions
Custom SharePoint solutions are designed to enhance the capabilities of SharePoint and provide users with the flexibility to customize the platform to their specific needs. Here are some of the unique custom SharePoint solutions that can be created using the features of Office 365:
# Customized Office Applications
Office 365 provides access to the full suite of Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. Users can customize these applications by adding their own templates, styles, and themes, and can also integrate with other SharePoint features like document libraries and workflows.
# Custom SharePoint Online Sites
SharePoint Online is a cloud-based platform that allows users to create custom SharePoint solutions that can be accessed from anywhere. These sites can be customized with branding, layouts, and features to meet the specific needs of each organization.
# Custom OneDrive for Business Solutions
OneDrive for Business is a cloud-based storage service that allows users to store and share files within their organization. With custom OneDrive solutions, users can create workflows to automate file management tasks, integrate with other Office 365 apps, and provide secure access to files.
# Video Portal
The video portal in SharePoint integration is a social networking platform that allows users to share and view videos within their organization. Custom video portals can be created to provide a more personalized experience for users, with customized branding, search, and categorization features.
# Collaborative Work Enhancers
Yammer and Newsfeed were popular collaboration tools in SharePoint 2013. With Office 365, these tools are available as cloud-based enablers that can be integrated with SharePoint. Custom solutions can be created to provide personalized social networking and collaboration features for each organization.
# Custom Outlook Solutions
Outlook is a powerful email and calendar application that is fully integrated with Office 365. Custom solutions can be created to enhance the functionality of Outlook, such as adding custom fields, automating tasks, and integrating with other Office 365 apps.
Comparing SharePoint on Premise with SharePoint Online
Here are some additional points to consider when comparing SharePoint on-premises with SharePoint online:
# Scalability
SharePoint On-Premises: Scaling up your infrastructure can be an expensive and time-consuming process. Your IT team must purchase additional hardware, install and configure it, and then migrate your data to the new servers.
SharePoint Online: Scaling up or down is as simple as adjusting your subscription. You can easily add or remove users, increase or decrease storage, and add additional features without any hardware upgrades.
# Security
SharePoint On-Premises: Your IT team is responsible for securing your SharePoint environment. This includes managing access controls, implementing security patches and updates, and protecting against cyber threats.
SharePoint Online: Microsoft takes care of the security of your SharePoint environment, including the physical security of the data centres, encryption of data, and compliance with industry standards and regulations.
# Cost
SharePoint On-Premises: On-premises installations of SharePoint can be expensive, with high upfront costs for hardware, software, and licensing. Additionally, ongoing maintenance costs can add up over time.
SharePoint Online: SharePoint Portal development is subscription-based, with a lower upfront cost and predictable monthly expenses. However, some features and customizations may require additional licensing fees.
# Integration
SharePoint On-Premises: SharePoint integration with other on-premises systems can be challenging, requiring extensive customizations and development.
SharePoint On-Premises: SharePoint integration with other on-premises systems can be challenging, requiring extensive customizations and development.
# Ease of Deployment
SharePoint On-Premises: Deploying SharePoint on-premises requires significant IT expertise, planning, and resources, including purchasing hardware, installing and configuring software, and setting up the environment.
SharePoint Online: Deploying SharePoint Online is straightforward and can be done quickly, with minimal IT expertise or resources required. All you need is a subscription to Office 365 and an internet connection.
# Availability and Uptime
SharePoint On-Premises: The availability and uptime of SharePoint on-premises depend on the reliability of your IT infrastructure and network, which can be affected by factors such as power outages, hardware failures, and natural disasters.
SharePoint Online: Microsoft guarantees a high level of availability and uptime for SharePoint Online, with a service level agreement (SLA) of 99.9%. This means that SharePoint Online is highly available and accessible, with minimal downtime.
# Compliance and Governance
SharePoint On-Premises: Compliance and governance are the responsibility of your IT team, including ensuring that your SharePoint environment meets industry standards and regulations, managing data retention policies, and maintaining audit trails.
SharePoint Online: Microsoft provides compliance and governance features built into SharePoint Online, including data loss prevention, eDiscovery, and retention policies. Microsoft also maintains compliance certifications, such as ISO 27001, HIPAA, and GDPR, to ensure that SharePoint Online meets industry standards and regulations.
Conclusion
Overall, the choice between SharePoint on-premises and SharePoint Online depends on the specific needs and constraints of your organization. On-premises installations offer more customization and control but require a higher investment in infrastructure and maintenance. SharePoint Online provides greater flexibility and scalability, but with fewer customization options.
Additionally, SharePoint Online can be a more attractive option for organizations looking for a Cloud Computing Application and a simpler SharePoint implementation process. However, companies that require complete control over their data and systems may prefer the on-premises model.
It's important to carefully evaluate the pros and cons of each option before making a decision. Factors such as budget, security needs, integration requirements, and collaboration needs should all be taken into account. Ultimately, the right choice will depend on the unique needs and goals of your organization.
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