Large businesses use Microsoft SharePoint for managing content, documents, and collaborative work. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) could also reap the benefits of SharePoint’s advanced automation, but often lack the resources for significant IT infrastructure expansion.
Fortunately, Integra Telecom now offers Microsoft SharePoint 2010 as a hosted solution. This makes cloud computing practical for SMBs. Using Integra as your SharePoint provider offers two advantages: access to their robust data center and computing platform, along with dedicated high-performance connectivity through their fiber optic network. They offer a range of connectivity options, from T1 lines to SONET OC48, Ethernet fiber optic services, and MPLS & VPLS network connections suitable for businesses with multiple locations.
Don’t underestimate the importance of network connectivity. Some companies transitioning IT operations to the cloud overlooked the impact of shifting traffic from the LAN to the WAN. This resulted in a reliable yet slow and unresponsive system. By using a single provider for cloud services and connectivity, you have one point of contact to ensure compatibility between your MAN, WAN, and cloud infrastructure.
Hosted SharePoint is a real-time, Software as a Service (SaaS) application that enhances employee productivity through streamlined document management and collaboration. It comprises six integrated functions: Sites, Communities, Content, Search, Insights, and Composites.
Sites refers to websites. SharePoint 2010 allows for easy creation of internal and external websites without requiring advanced design skills. Multiple sites can be managed from one central location, simplifying document sharing with colleagues, information publishing for customers, and project management with partners.
Communities are groups centered around common focuses such as teams, projects, clients, locations, or departments. Collaboration within these groups is facilitated through social media features.
Content refers to your central repository for files, documents, and general information. SharePoint’s robust search engine makes it simple to locate and manage all of this information. Content can be accessed and modified through a web browser, client application like Microsoft Office, or even a smartphone.
Search functionality can be customized based on the user. Some content may be restricted to internal use, while other information is accessible to clients or the public.
Insights provide business intelligence. This feature integrates data and generates reports offering valuable insights into your business operations, highlighting both challenges and opportunities.
Composites enable SharePoint customization and extension. If you have specific requirements that go beyond the standard features, you can utilize SharePoint Designer or Microsoft Visual Studio to create tailored business solutions.
Expand SharePoint’s capabilities with hosted Microsoft Exchange for online document storage, file protection, blog and wiki management, and project oversight. By running everything in the cloud, you can scale resources as needed without large capital investments or lengthy approval processes.
If you believe your business could benefit from SharePoint’s automation and productivity enhancements, and appreciate the pay-as-you-go model over significant upfront costs, explore the pricing and options for Hosted Microsoft SharePoint 2010 and high-performance connectivity from cloud service and networking providers like Integra Telecom.
