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16 Jan 2009
Organisations must recognise the limitations of Microsoft's SharePoint for various content and processes if they are to implement and use the product successfully, according to new research by Forrester.
The analyst firm's Identifying When To SharePoint, Or Not, For Business Content Needs report argued that the popular content management tool does not fully support structured workflows, or offer complete support for non-Office file types.
The software also has limited repository scalability, and features restricted enterprise information lifecycle management, the report said.
Forrester recommends that firms focus SharePoint on lower-value and lower-volume business content, ideally Microsoft Office files.
"Use SharePoint for collaborative, team-based content creation and management rather than structured and repetitive processes," the report said.
"Similarly, SharePoint workflow works well for ad-hoc content flows between members of a specific team or department, but less so for workflows that cross folders, teams and applications."
The report also encourages information professionals to understand the IT and security risks of allowing SharePoint to flourish in the organisation, as it always runs the risk of "taking over your IT garden".
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Collaboration is key
Forrester's recent research has clearly highlighted the limitations imposed by Microsoft's SharePoint platform and its failures in meeting critical business requirements. Microsoft's SharePoint has fallen short of large corporation's expectations and has only managed to meet the needs of small to medium sized businesses. Enterprises with complex requirements and multiple web channels will have to look to specific ECM providers, to enable higher functionality and to meet their specific business objectives. The platform is lacking in many essential business features, including the capability to publish content across disparate internet and intranet sites, in multiple languages, multiple formats and through multimedia channels - these content management tools are essential to companies competing globally. Companies must look to stand-alone ECM applications that are enterprise-wide. Businesses require more integration, regulation, flexibility and specialised shared services to work collaboratively, on a level that SharePoint platforms simply can't provide. The lesson is not to install SharePoint technology until you've assessed all your specific business needs and researched the current availability of specialised content software.
Posted by: Robert Bredlau, International Director of Business Development, e-Spirit UK 27 Jan 2009