Microsoft SharePoint Review - Features, Pricing & Deals

Microsoft SharePoint is a web-based collaboration platform that helps organizations manage documents, share information, and streamline team communication. As part of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, it serves as a central hub where teams can work together on files, create internal websites, and automate workflows.

At its core, SharePoint functions as a document management and storage system, offering features like version control, co-authoring, and permission settings. Teams can build customized sites for different departments or projects, making it easier to organize and access important information. The platform integrates smoothly with familiar tools like Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, and Outlook, which helps maintain productivity without switching between multiple applications.

Organizations can access SharePoint through various subscription plans, starting from $5 per user monthly for basic features to more comprehensive packages that include additional Microsoft 365 applications. The platform scales well for both small businesses and large enterprises, with options to customize features based on specific needs.

While SharePoint offers extensive capabilities for content management and collaboration, its true value lies in how organizations can adapt it to their unique workflows. From creating simple document libraries to developing complex automated processes, the platform provides the flexibility to support diverse business requirements while maintaining security and compliance standards.

• Document Management: Tracks document versions, enables co-authoring, and provides robust permission controls to help teams collaborate efficiently and securely.
• Real-Time Collaboration: Seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Teams, allowing multiple users to work on documents simultaneously and communicate in real-time.
• Microsoft 365 Integration: Connects smoothly with Teams, OneDrive, Outlook, and Power Automate to streamline workflows and enhance productivity across your organization.
• Advanced Security Features: Offers comprehensive data protection through access controls, encryption, data loss prevention, and compliance tools to safeguard sensitive information.
• Intelligent Search Capabilities: Provides hybrid search functionality and Microsoft Search integration to help users quickly find and manage information across platforms.
• Customizable Sites: Create team sites, communication sites, and hub sites to centralize information, share resources, and improve organizational communication.
• Developer Extensibility: Supports custom web parts, extensions, and app development through SharePoint Framework to meet unique organizational needs.

• SharePoint Online Plan 1 provides file storage and sharing with 1 TB cloud storage per user, real-time collaboration, and basic search functionality at $5 per user per month with an annual commitment.
• SharePoint Online Plan 2 offers unlimited cloud storage, enhanced search functionality, and all Plan 1 features at $10 per user per month with an annual commitment.
• Microsoft 365 Business Standard includes SharePoint features, Microsoft Office applications, Teams, business email, and collaborative tools at $12.50 per user per month with an annual commitment.
• Office 365 E3 delivers comprehensive SharePoint features, full Microsoft Office suite, custom email domains, advanced security, compliance features, and 24/7 support at $23 per user per month with an annual commitment.

SharePoint Online is the cloud-based version that comes with Microsoft 365 subscriptions. You don't need to install or maintain any servers - Microsoft handles all the updates and infrastructure. SharePoint Server is the on-premises version that your company installs and manages on its own servers. Most companies are moving to SharePoint Online for easier maintenance and automatic updates, but some organizations with strict data security requirements still prefer SharePoint Server for complete control.

Sharing with external users is simple in SharePoint. Just select the file or folder you want to share, click the "Share" button, and enter the email addresses of your external collaborators. You can choose whether they need to sign in or can access with a link, and set permissions like "view only" or "edit." You can also set expiration dates for links and block downloads for sensitive documents. Your admin might have restrictions on external sharing, so check your company policies first.

Yes! You can sync SharePoint files to your computer using the OneDrive sync client. Just click "Sync" on any document library, and the files will download to your device. You can work on them offline, and any changes will automatically upload when you reconnect to the internet. This works great for people who travel or have unreliable internet connections. The sync client is available for both Windows and Mac computers.

With SharePoint Online Plan 1, you get 1 TB of storage per organization plus 10 GB per license purchased. SharePoint Online Plan 2 and Microsoft 365 plans that include SharePoint give you unlimited storage per organization (subject to fair use). Individual file uploads are limited to 250 GB per file. If you're running out of space, your admin can request more storage from Microsoft or help redistribute content across your sites.

Start with a clear structure based on how your teams work. Create team sites for departments or projects that need to collaborate closely. Use communication sites for broader company announcements or resources. Connect related sites using hub sites to improve navigation. For document libraries, use folders sparingly and rely more on metadata columns and views to organize content. The key is finding a balance - too much structure feels limiting, but too little makes finding information difficult.