Windows Sharepoint Services 3.0 is the ‘free’ version of the popular document management system as bundled with Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and is Microsoft’s entry level product to get you used to the feel and functionality of Sharepoint.
This version of Sharepoint would primarily be used to provide a more interactive and extended company intranet by allowing the development of add-on web applications and to also provide a basic document management system with basic workflow to begin the task of organising your documents from a random collection of folders on a file server into a more manageable environment.
If not already familiar to your users, WSS will help them become accustomed to a web based environment for data entry, reporting, etc and will provide a cohesive interface if your plan is to then migrate legacy systems into integrated web parts/applications.
Integration with Microsoft Office 2007 is much better than with 2003 and by all accounts the 2010 version of MOSS and Office should be even more so. If you’re not running Office 2007, integration is manageable, but not ideal. Office 2007 allows users to publish directly into Sharepoint from within Word, Excel, etc which makes it a much easier learning curve for those 20-30% of users who will find fault with the system even though they’ve been guided through the process, helped to agree functionality, but now flatly refuse to join in with the Mardi Gras atmosphere. Sound familiar?
We know of some business and universities who have successfully used this and previous versions of the WSS offering to provide collaboration tools between internal and external partners, but if this is the route you’re taking then you’re better off choosing the full Microsoft Office Sharepoint Server 2007. WSS is a good way to cut your teeth on learning how to set up Sharepoint and may be suitable for small businesses who have very defined needs, but most companies will need the grown up rather than adolescent flavour of the system.
To download WSS, go to http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/windowsserver/sharepoint/bb400747.aspx
If you’d like us to assist with a Sharepoint project that you’re planning or are currently in the midst of then please contact us.
