Is SharePoint Like an Intranet? Compare and Explore Its Business Uses

What is SharePoint?

SharePoint  is a cloud-based service hosted by Microsoft for businesses of all sizes. Instead of installing and deploying SharePoint Server on-premises, any business can subscribe to a Microsoft 365 plan or the standalone SharePoint Online service. Employees can create websites to share documents and information with colleagues, partners, and customers.

Is SharePoint Like an Intranet?

Yes, SharePoint can be used effectively as an intranet solution. It offers many features that are essential for intranets, such as:

• Centralized content management: Store and manage documents, files, and other content in a single location. This eliminates the need for multiple file servers or shared drives, making it easier to find and access information.
• Collaboration tools: Enable teams to work together on projects and documents. SharePoint provides features like co-authoring, version control, and commenting, which facilitate collaboration and ensure that everyone is working on the latest version of a document.
• Communication channels: Encourage communication on wikis, blogs, and forums. SharePoint provides a range of communication capabilities that let staff members exchange data, pose inquiries, and work together on projects.
• Search functionality: Make it simple for users to locate content on the intranet. Based on keywords or information, SharePoint's robust search engine assists users in finding documents, files, and other content fast.
• Customization options: Customize the look and feel of the intranet to match your organization's branding and needs. SharePoint allows you to create custom intranet portals, modify layouts, and add custom branding elements to make the intranet more user-friendly and engaging.

How SharePoint Functions as an Intranet

SharePoint functions as an intranet by providing a platform for:

• Document management: Store and organize documents in libraries. SharePoint offers various document libraries, such as document libraries, picture libraries, and form libraries, to store and manage different types of content.
• Team collaboration: Enable teams to work together on projects and documents. SharePoint provides features like co-authoring, version control, and commenting, which facilitate collaboration and ensure that everyone is working on the latest version of a document.
• Communication: Facilitate communication through forums, blogs, and wikis. SharePoint offers various communication tools that allow employees to share information, ask questions, and collaborate on projects.
• Intranet portals: Create custom intranet portals for different departments or teams. SharePoint allows you to create custom intranet portals with different layouts, content, and permissions, tailored to the specific needs of different groups within your organization.
• Search: Allow users to easily find information within the intranet. SharePoint's powerful search engine helps users quickly locate documents, files, and other content based on keywords or metadata.

Comparing SharePoint to Traditional Intranet Systems

Feature	SharePoint	Traditional Intranet Systems
Ease of Use	User-friendly interface, intuitive navigation	Often more complex and difficult to use
Integration	Seamless integration with other Microsoft 365 applications	Limited or no integration with other office tools
Scalability	Can accommodate organizations of all sizes	May have limitations in scaling to meet growing needs
Security	Robust security features, including access controls, encryption, and auditing	May require additional security measures

SharePoint vs Intranet for Business Communication

SharePoint is an excellent choice for business communication. It offers a variety of features that can be used to improve communication and collaboration, such as:

• Forums: Create forums for discussions on specific topics. Forums allow employees to discuss topics of interest, ask questions, and share knowledge.
• Blogs: Share news and updates with employees. Blogs are a great way to keep employees informed about company news, events, and updates.
• Wikis: Create shared knowledge bases. Wikis allow teams to collaborate on creating and maintaining shared knowledge bases.
• Document libraries: Store and share important documents. Document libraries provide a centralized location for storing and sharing important documents, making it easy for employees to find and access the information they need.

Summary

In conclusion, user can enjoy several benefits from using SharePoint as an intranet solution, including: improve collaboration, increase productivity, enhance communication, reduce cost associated with managing an Intranet. If you have more than 1 SharePoint account, MultCloud can help you manage them together with most convenience.

Bonus Tip: How to Manage and Back up Gmail Emails

This article addresses the question “is SharePoint like an Intranet”. If you’re considering backing up your Gmail, MultCloud can be extremely useful. Trusted by over 3 million users, MultCloud is a multi-cloud management tool that facilitates the transfer or synchronization of files between various cloud services.

For instance, you can save your Gmail emails as PDFs to your computer or cloud drives, such as Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox, in bulk. MultCloud also enables you to access and manage all your cloud or Email accounts via a single application. Currently, it supports more than 30 different cloud services, including Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, Google Photos, iCloud Photos, FTP, WebDav, and more.