What Happened To Sharepoint?

SharePoint is a web-based collaborative platform developed by Microsoft that has revolutionized the way businesses organize, share, and access data. But what happened to SharePoint? In this article, we will take a deep dive into the history of SharePoint, from its origins to its current status, and explore the potential for its future.

What Happened to SharePoint?

SharePoint is a web-based collaborative platform developed by Microsoft, initially released in 2001. It is primarily used for document management, but it is also used for enterprise content management, project management, intranet portals, and team collaboration. Over the years, SharePoint has been a popular platform for businesses of all sizes and shapes, providing a secure platform for collaboration, file sharing, content management, and more. However, in recent years, SharePoint has been on the decline, and many businesses are turning to other options.

Why Has SharePoint Declined in Popularity?

There are several reasons why SharePoint has become less popular in recent years. One reason is that it is not well suited for mobile applications, and most businesses are now using mobile devices to access their data and collaborate. Additionally, SharePoint is not as user-friendly as some of the newer collaboration platforms, making it difficult for some users to access and use the system. Finally, SharePoint is expensive to maintain, and businesses may find that it is more cost effective to switch to a different platform.

What Alternatives Are Available?

There are several alternatives to SharePoint that businesses can consider. Google Docs is a popular option, as it is free and offers a wide range of features. Additionally, Dropbox and Box are both popular file sharing and collaboration platforms, and both offer features that make them easy to use. Finally, there are enterprise-level collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams and Slack that offer more robust features and are better suited for larger businesses.

Pros and Cons of SharePoint Alternatives

The pros and cons of SharePoint alternatives will vary depending on the needs of the business. Generally speaking, Google Docs is a great option for businesses that need a basic, free platform for collaboration. Dropbox and Box are great options for businesses that need a secure, cloud-based file sharing and collaboration platform. Microsoft Teams and Slack are better suited for larger businesses, as they offer more robust features that are better suited for larger organizations.

Conclusion

SharePoint has been a popular platform for businesses of all sizes and shapes, but in recent years it has become less popular. There are several reasons for this, including its lack of mobile compatibility, its lack of user-friendliness, and its high cost of maintenance. Fortunately, there are several alternatives to SharePoint, including Google Docs, Dropbox, Box, Microsoft Teams, and Slack. Each of these options has its own pros and cons, and businesses should consider their needs before making a decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SharePoint?

SharePoint is a web-based collaborative platform developed by Microsoft. It is used for document management and storage, as well as sharing and collaboration. SharePoint also has features such as web page hosting, blogs, wikis, and discussion boards. SharePoint can be used to store, share, and manage documents, images, and other digital content.

SharePoint also provides features for search and discovery, customization, data integration, and workflows, allowing users to create and manage websites, portals, and applications. SharePoint can be deployed in a variety of ways, including in the cloud, on-premises, or as a hybrid solution.

What happened to SharePoint?

In 2017, Microsoft announced the end of the SharePoint Server product line, shifting its development focus to the cloud-based SharePoint Online offering. This meant that customers would no longer be able to purchase, deploy, and manage SharePoint Server on their own servers.

The move to cloud-based deployments was seen as a way for Microsoft to focus more on developing features, services, and capabilities for SharePoint Online, which allowed users to access and collaborate on documents, images, and other digital content. It also allowed Microsoft to streamline its development and product offering, while at the same time improving the overall experience of using SharePoint.

What are the benefits of using SharePoint?

SharePoint offers a wide range of benefits for businesses. It provides a single, secure platform for users to work together on documents, images, and other content. It also offers features such as web page hosting, blogs, wikis, and discussion boards, allowing users to create and manage websites, portals, and applications.

SharePoint also provides features for search and discovery, customization, data integration, and workflows. This allows users to quickly and easily find and access the content they need, while also streamlining collaboration and communication. SharePoint also makes it easy to manage permissions and access control, ensuring that users have the appropriate level of access to the content they need.

What are the features of SharePoint?

SharePoint offers a wide range of features and capabilities, including document management and storage, as well as sharing and collaboration. It also offers features for search and discovery, customization, data integration, and workflows. Additionally, SharePoint can be used to create and manage websites, portals, and applications, as well as host web pages, blogs, wikis, and discussion boards.

SharePoint also provides features for access control and permissions management. This ensures that users have the appropriate level of access to the content they need, while also protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access. Additionally, SharePoint provides analytics and reporting capabilities, allowing users to track user activity, measure usage, and monitor performance.

How is SharePoint deployed?

SharePoint can be deployed in a variety of ways, including in the cloud, on-premises, or as a hybrid solution. Cloud-based deployments are the most popular option, as they provide users with the flexibility to access and collaborate on documents, images, and other digital content from anywhere with an internet connection.

On-premises deployments allow customers to host and manage their own SharePoint environment, while hybrid deployments combine the benefits of both cloud and on-premises deployments. This allows customers to take advantage of the flexibility of the cloud while also having the ability to manage and control their own environment.

What is the future of SharePoint?

Microsoft has continued to invest in SharePoint, with the latest version of SharePoint Online being released in 2019. This version includes new features and capabilities such as modern pages, Microsoft Teams integration, and SharePoint hub sites.

Microsoft has also announced plans to further integrate SharePoint into the Office 365 suite of applications, allowing users to access and collaborate on documents, images, and other digital content from within the Office 365 applications. This will provide users with a single, secure platform for working together on documents and other digital content.

SharePoint has evolved over the years since its inception in 2001. It is now being used by millions of organizations around the world, from small businesses to large enterprises. SharePoint has become an indispensable tool for many businesses, providing features for collaboration, content management, and enterprise search. With its increasing popularity, SharePoint will likely continue to be a major player in the enterprise software space for many years to come.