What is SharePoint?

Meaning & Definition

SharePoint

SharePoint is a web-based collaboration platform developed by Microsoft that provides a set of tools and services for creating websites, intranets, document management, content management, and collaboration within an organization. SharePoint allows teams and organizations to work together, share information, manage content, and streamline business processes, all within a secure and customizable digital environment.

Key features and capabilities of SharePoint include:

• Document Management

SharePoint serves as a document management system, allowing users to create, store, organize, and collaborate on documents. It includes version control and check-in/check-out features to manage document revisions.

• Intranet and Portal Creation

SharePoint can be used to build intranet sites and portals for internal communication, news, announcements, and access to resources.

• Collaboration Tools

It offers a range of collaboration features, including team sites, wikis, discussion boards, task lists, calendars, and integration with Microsoft Teams for chat and video conferencing.

• Workflow Automation

SharePoint provides workflow capabilities for automating business processes, such as document approval, request handling, and task assignment.

• Content Management

Users can manage and publish web content, including news articles, blogs, and web pages. SharePoint includes content approval workflows for publishing.

• Search and Discovery

SharePoint features powerful search capabilities that make it easy to find documents, content, and people within the organization.

• Integration with Microsoft 365

SharePoint is tightly integrated with other Microsoft 365 applications and services, such as Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), OneDrive for file storage, and Outlook for email.

• Security and Permissions

SharePoint offers robust security and access control features, allowing administrators to set permissions at various levels to ensure data privacy and compliance.

• Customization and Development

SharePoint can be customized and extended using web parts, apps, and custom solutions. Developers can build custom applications and functionality using SharePoint Framework (SPFx) and other development tools.

• Hybrid and Cloud Deployments

SharePoint can be deployed on-premises, in the cloud (SharePoint Online), or in hybrid configurations, providing flexibility in how organizations implement and manage the platform.

SharePoint is widely used by organizations of all sizes to improve collaboration and document management, enhance internal communication, and automate business processes. It is especially valuable for creating intranet sites, team collaboration spaces, and document repositories that help streamline work and improve information sharing within an organization. Additionally, SharePoint is a versatile platform that can be tailored to meet a variety of business needs through customization and integration with other Microsoft and third-party services.