SharePoint is Microsoft's vision for how users should share documents, maintain version control for these documents, receive customized and relevant information specific to individual users' needs, publish Web-based documents and access a variety of intranet and extranet-based resources.

What is SharePoint according to Rapport I.T. Solutions ?

Microsoft's definition of the product might sound a little complex so let's try to simplify SharePoint.  First of all, if you have Microsoft Windows 2003 Server or Microsoft Small Business Server 2000 or Microsoft Small Business Server 2003, you already have SharePoint. So no need to purchase it!

Microsoft SharePoint can be a relatively simple tool to implement and use, or it can be a large and complex implementation (but still easy to use).  It depends on your needs.  In its simplest form it is a great tool for centralising important business information and providing links to regularly used resources such as Web sites.

As part of its configurations the business owner or administrator can set access rights to all sections of the SharePoint site. This means you can have one central repository for important business information and then control who has access to this information.

In our business currently we use our Microsoft SharePoint site to organise such information as:

Certain sections of this site are available to all staff e.g. Company Policies.

Company Procedures is divided up into various categories such as Accounting Procedures, Client Communications, Client Work Recording etc.  These subgroups have different user permissions such that only people who need to access these areas have the right to access them.

Technical staff have accessed to such areas as Diagnostic Resources, Technical Resources, Remote Access to Clients etc.

We think Windows SharePoint is a great business tool that can be effective in most small and medium businesses. Have a look at how we use this product by selecting the links below.

NB: To return to this web site after viewing a link - select the "Back" button at the extreme top left of the displayed image.

Link to Image of our Home Page.
Link to Image of our Company Procedures Page.
Link to Image of our Company Policies Page.

Link to Microsoft Video - Demo of SharePoint
 

At a higher level what can you do with Microsoft SharePoint.

Microsoft SharePoint can be customised to provide very high-end functionality.  It can automate workflow and in a multi site environment such as branch offices, one central repository of information can be shared across the Web to multiple sites.  When you implement versioning control of documents, it provides a means of ensuring standardised practices and allows multiple people to be working on specific projects at any one time. This is supported whether you be working from one office or multiple branch offices.

Sharepoint can be customised to interface with multiple other programs and control multiple work flow scenarios.

Talk to us about configuring and customising Microsoft SharePoint Services to provided benefits for your business.

Link to Microsoft Video - Technical Overview of SharePoint Services.