What are the differences between OneDrive and SharePoint?

OneDrive and SharePoint are both cloud-based collaboration platforms developed by Microsoft, but they have different purposes and functions.

OneDrive is a personal cloud storage service that allows users to store and share files and folders online. It is primarily designed for individual users, although it can be used in a limited way for small team collaboration. OneDrive is tightly integrated with Windows and Microsoft Office applications, making it easy to access and share files from those applications.

SharePoint, on the other hand, is a more comprehensive collaboration and content management platform that allows organizations to create intranet sites, team sites, and portals for document sharing, project management, and business process automation. SharePoint includes a wide range of features such as team collaboration tools, document management, workflow automation, and business intelligence, making it ideal for larger organizations with more complex collaboration needs.

In summary, OneDrive is primarily a personal cloud storage service, while SharePoint is a comprehensive collaboration and content management platform designed for organizations. As both services are bundled with your 365 licences, there are no additional costs.

Why is SharePoint better than OneDrive for file sharing?

SharePoint and OneDrive are both cloud-based file sharing and collaboration platforms, but they have different strengths and use cases. Here are some reasons why SharePoint may be a better choice than OneDrive for file sharing in certain scenarios:

1. Granular permissions: SharePoint allows for granular permissions and access control to be set at the folder, document, and item level. This can be especially useful for larger organizations with complex access requirements.
2. Version control: SharePoint includes version control, which allows users to track changes to documents and revert to previous versions if needed. This can be helpful for teams working on collaborative documents.
3. Content management: SharePoint includes features for content management, such as metadata, content types, and document sets, which can help small businesses organize and categorize their files.
4. Team collaboration: SharePoint includes team collaboration features, such as task lists, calendars, and discussion boards, that can help teams work together more effectively.
5. Workflow automation: SharePoint includes workflow capabilities that can help automate business processes, such as document approvals and content publishing.
6. Data retention: SharePoint sites are not tied to user accounts, so when people leave the business and their accounts are removed, the data is still there. If someone has shared data from OneDrive to other users and their account is removed, the OneDrive data goes with it.

While OneDrive is a useful tool for personal file storage and collaboration, SharePoint’s additional features and capabilities make it a better choice for larger organizations and those with more complex collaboration and content management needs.

How can a small business leverage SharePoint?

SharePoint is a powerful collaboration and content management platform that can provide significant benefits to small businesses. Here are some ways that a small business can further leverage SharePoint:

1. Project management: SharePoint provides tools for project management, including task lists, calendars, and project dashboards. This can help small businesses stay organized and on track with their projects.

2. Intranet site: SharePoint can be used to create an intranet site for the small business, providing a central location for employees to access company news, policies, and resources.

3. Workflow automation: SharePoint includes workflow capabilities that can help automate business processes, such as document approval workflows. This can help increase efficiency and reduce errors.

4. Business intelligence: SharePoint includes tools for business intelligence, such as dashboards and reports, that can help small businesses analyse data and make informed decisions.

5. External sharing: SharePoint allows small businesses to share documents and collaborate with external partners and customers in a secure and controlled manner.

To leverage SharePoint effectively, a small business should start by defining its collaboration and content management needs and developing a clear plan for how SharePoint will be used to meet those needs. It is also important to provide training and support to employees to ensure they are able to use SharePoint effectively.

We are Blucando, the Southeast’s Premier IT Support Provider  

From our base in Farnborough, Hampshire; we are a full-suite IT provider offering technology support, management and consultancy to businesses across Surrey, Hampshire, London and the wider southeast region. We pride ourselves on delivering robust, dependable IT systems our clients can rely on, coupled with strategic guidance that helps unlock business potential through technology. Get in touch today to find out how Blucando could help level up your business through technology.