SharePoint

SharePoint
Name	SharePoint
Developer	Microsoft
Released	31 May 2001
Operating system	Microsoft Windows
Genre	Collaborative software, Document management system, Intranet
License	Proprietary software

SharePoint. It is a web application platform developed by Microsoft that integrates with the Microsoft 365 productivity suite. Primarily used for intranet portals, document management, and collaboration, it provides a centralized repository for shared documents and information. The platform is widely deployed by organizations, from small businesses to large enterprises and government agencies like the United States Department of Defense.

Overview

The platform was first launched in 2001, evolving from earlier Microsoft technologies like the Microsoft Site Server. It functions as a foundational system for building collaborative environments, often serving as the backbone for an organization's internal digital workplace. Core capabilities revolve around managing content, automating business processes, and facilitating team coordination. Its development and strategy have been closely tied to other major Microsoft products, including the Windows Server operating system and the SQL Server database management system.

Features

Key functionalities include team sites for project collaboration, document libraries with version history and co-authoring, and lists for tracking items like tasks or issues. It features robust search technology, originally based on the FAST Search & Transfer acquisition, to find content across sites. Advanced workflow automation is provided through integration with Power Automate, and business intelligence features connect with tools like Power BI. The platform also supports extensive customization through web parts, and its security model integrates with Active Directory for permissions management.

Architecture

The technical foundation is built on IIS and the .NET Framework, storing data within SQL Server. Its service-oriented architecture is composed of distinct application and service components. In its on-premises form, these are installed across one or more servers in a farm configuration. The cloud-based Microsoft SharePoint Online service, part of Microsoft 365, operates on a massive, globally distributed infrastructure within Microsoft's Azure datacenters. This cloud architecture enables features like OneDrive synchronization and real-time co-authoring in Microsoft Office applications.

Deployment and versions

Organizations can deploy it on-premises or subscribe to the software-as-a-service offering, Microsoft SharePoint Online. Major on-premises releases have included SharePoint 2007, SharePoint 2010, SharePoint 2013, SharePoint 2016, and SharePoint 2019. The cloud service is updated continuously, with new features rolled out regularly. The platform's evolution has seen significant shifts, such as the introduction of the "modern" user experience and a stronger emphasis on cloud integration, guided by executives like Jeff Teper.

Integration and ecosystem

It is deeply integrated with the broader Microsoft 365 ecosystem, including Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Outlook, and the Microsoft Office suite. Developers can extend it using the SharePoint Framework for client-side development and connect it to external systems via APIs and connectors in Power Apps. The platform also supports integration with third-party services and line-of-business applications, and a large marketplace for solutions exists through partners like AvePoint and Nintex.

Use cases and adoption

Common implementations include corporate intranets for internal communications, secure portals for external partners, and document management systems for compliance with regulations like the Sarbanes–Oxley Act. It is extensively used for project management, often integrating with Microsoft Project, and for building business applications without extensive code. Its adoption is global, with major users including Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola, and various branches of the United States federal government.

Category:Microsoft software Category:Collaborative software Category:Document management systems