What Is SharePoint?

What Is SharePoint?

SharePoint is a web-based collaboration and document management platform developed by Microsoft. It allows organizations to store, organize, share, and access information securely from any device. Widely used by businesses of all sizes, SharePoint is part of the Microsoft 365 suite and is designed to enhance teamwork, improve productivity, and streamline internal communication.

Whether it’s managing company documents, building internal portals, or automating workflows, SharePoint provides a scalable, customizable solution for modern enterprises.

Core Features of SharePoint

1. Document Management
   Centralized storage with version control, access permissions, and real-time co-authoring.
2. Team Sites & Intranets
   Create internal sites for departments, projects, or teams to collaborate and share updates.
3. Workflow Automation
   Automate routine business processes using Power Automate (formerly Microsoft Flow).
4. List & Library Management
   Organize data using customizable lists and libraries for structured content storage.
5. Search & Discovery
   Powerful enterprise search engine to find documents, people, and data across your organization.
6. Integration with Microsoft 365
   Seamlessly connects with Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, Excel, and Power BI.
7. Permission Management
   Role-based access control to protect sensitive content and ensure compliance.

What Can SharePoint Be Used For?

• Company Intranet Portals
  Central hub for announcements, HR policies, forms, and news.
• Project Collaboration
  Teams can share documents, assign tasks, and track progress.
• Content Management Systems (CMS)
  Publish and manage content for internal use.
• Knowledge Bases & Wikis
  Store FAQs, guides, SOPs, and best practices for easy access.
• Compliance & Records Management
  Enforce retention policies and ensure regulatory compliance.

Tools & Technologies Within SharePoint

• Power Automate: For workflow automation
• Power Apps: To build custom forms and business apps
• OneDrive for Business: For personal cloud storage and file syncing
• Microsoft Teams: Deep integration for team collaboration
• Power BI: Embed reports and dashboards into SharePoint pages

Key Benefits of Using SharePoint

• Improved Collaboration Across Teams
• Centralized and Secure Document Storage
• Customizable to Fit Business Needs
• Accessible Anytime, Anywhere
• Scalable for Enterprises of All Sizes
• Supports Hybrid and Cloud Environments

Who Uses SharePoint?

• Corporate Enterprises: For internal collaboration and content sharing
• Educational Institutions: To manage course materials and academic documents
• Healthcare Providers: For managing patient records and compliance docs
• Government Agencies: Secure data management and internal communication
• Nonprofits: Streamlined communication and resource sharing

Career Roles That Use SharePoint

• SharePoint Administrator
• SharePoint Developer
• IT Support Specialist
• Business Analyst
• Content Manager
• Microsoft 365 Consultant

Final Thoughts

Understanding what SharePoint is gives organizations a clear path to digital collaboration and efficient document management. As a key component of Microsoft 365, SharePoint enables businesses to work smarter, reduce redundancy, and build connected workplaces that support productivity and compliance.