At first, most people would be confused to find out that OneDrive and SharePoint are actually two separate Microsoft products because of how similar they are. Regarding file management and storage, there are several features and functionalities that are shared by the two products. Both products are part of the Microsoft 365 product family and are cloud-based. So, what actually makes them different?
The first document management system, Microsoft SharePoint, was introduced in 2001 as a straightforward platform designed to provide a central location for file and information sharing. Because of its extensive intranet features, a reputable IT support London company would probably advise using SharePoint in the workplace today. The platform provides its users’ businesses with a private network where all staff members can gather to communicate, work together, and safely store and exchange information and resources.
Six years later, OneDrive was developed in 2007 to be a file storage platform where users could share and synchronise all of their data across a range of devices. This platform was used to ensure that all a user’s media and files was always safe and readily available from anywhere.
We now know that document and resource sharing is a function of both SharePoint and OneDrive. Ultimately, the purpose of those documents is what distinguishes them both. It’s likely that anyone using SharePoint will do so with the goal of sharing and working together with other company members. Despite its many wonderful features, OneDrive cannot do all that SharePoint can do.
According to Babble, a reputable managed IT service Londonprovider, OneDrive is Microsoft’s most widely used cloud-based service that is open to all users. Rather than merely keeping their invaluable private belongings – such as images, movies, and crucial documents – all on one device, users may use OneDrive to make sure such items are safe from loss, damage, or theft. OneDrive is also suitable for professional use as well. OneDrive makes it simple for users to provide file access to the people who require it in order to facilitate collaboration among teams and smaller groups.
All of this is possible with Microsoft SharePoint as well, but this platform can do so much more. Compared to OneDrive, SharePoint is a more complicated document management program whereas OneDrive is a simpler cloud storage option. In addition to storing and sharing documents and files, SharePoint enables businesses to share updates, centralise all resources and data, and develop aesthetically pleasing websites and pages that make information easy to find. Additionally, SharePoint offers enterprise-grade security to guarantee that every piece of data is shielded by top-notch security protocols.
OneNote and other applications can also be integrated with SharePoint, and it can be used to create libraries for document classification, generate Microsoft 365 documents on the server, exchange files with individuals or groups, publish news items, automate processes, and make lists.
In the end, the decision you make will depend on your goals for the platform and the size of your business at the moment,according to Microsoft 365 consultants. Small businesses with limited resources and staff members, freelancers like as authors and photographers, and individuals seeking storage and sharing for personal use are the main target audiences for OneDrive.
SharePoint is the best option if you’re searching for enterprise-ready software to handle medium- to extremely large-scale employees, teams, and data. Large businesses were the target audience for SharePoint, particularly those whose teams were already using Microsoft products like Teams, Outlook, Excel, and other services on a daily basis.
If you are a smaller business that really wants to add SharePoint to your workplace, you can go ahead as there’s nothing stopping you from adopting it. However, it is veryimportant that you understand that the server setup and maintenance is too complicated to do yourself if you have little-to-no IT experience so you will need assistance from either a team of highly skilled IT specialists or from an IT support company like Babble.