Microsoft SharePoint is a web-based software platform which means it is software that is interacted with by using a web browser. It helps people collaborate on tasks and documents, assists people in locating the information they need to do their jobs and it enables people to connect with colleagues and share their work. Listed below is an overview of key SharePoint features:-

·       When a customer does not store data on their own premises and instead they store it on remote data centres that are geographically not on site, that data is referred to as living ‘in the cloud’.

·       An example of this would be the Internet. Lots of applications are accessed via the Internet that people use every day however the software that is used is stored on data centres elsewhere, not on the computer itself.

·       For example, everyday users’ type in internet addresses into web browsers and a web site simply appears – the user doesn’t know where this data is being stored, hence ‘in the cloud’.

·       Business applications are now being hosted ‘in the cloud’.  Historically companies would have their own data centres with servers for storing data ensuring it is secure and scalable for the future. However, the cost of managing such data centres can be vast. This can be referred to as ‘on-premise’ computing.

·       With a hosted solution for storing data, companies pay someone else to host their data for them.

·       Whether you are using SharePoint Online or SharePoint On Premise, the functionality is mostly the same, just hosted differently.  With SharePoint Online you simply log in and SharePoint is accessed over the Internet – ‘in the cloud’.

·       SharePoint Online comes with other products, such as Teams, Yammer, Delve, Skype, Microsoft Office etc. The combined package of these services is called Office 365.

·       Office 365 includes web versions of the Office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

·       These are the familiar applications that we recognise although they do not have all the functionality of the actual applications.

·       So, the application of Microsoft Word, for example, will be stored on your local machine however the Word Web App runs in the cloud.

·       You can use a combination of both. If you only need to make a small amendment to a document then the Word App will be quicker to load however if you need to use more advanced features then you would open the full version of Microsoft Word.

·       The Web Apps can also be downloaded onto portable devices, such as phones and tablets which means you can update documents whenever and wherever you are!

·       OneDrive is Microsoft’s service for hosting files in the cloud and its available free to users who have a Microsoft Account and log in using Windows Live ID.

·       OneDrive for Business is part of Office 365 and is similar to OneDrive in as much as documents are stored in the cloud from where you can access them from any mobile device and share with colleagues as required.

·       The main difference between the two is OneDrive for Business is not your personal account, it belongs to the organisation, whereas OneDrive is a personal account. OneDrive for Business also offers more functionality.

·       OneDrive for Business is typically where you may work on and store your Company personal documents.

Modern (or new) v’s classic SharePoint relates to how the SharePoint page looks and also where commands can be found.

Modern is the latest O365 layout whereas Classic is the interface used in older versions of SharePoint.

It is likely that you may see both Modern and Classic page layouts when working in SharePoint.

The modern document library and list experience in SharePoint Online is faster, displays better in mobile browsers and is easier to use. With the new experience, there is a Command bar with options rather than the older Ribbon interface.

1.     Launch your preferred browser.

2.     Type Office.com in the address bar.

3.     Click Sign in and enter your credentials to sign in.

The SharePoint home page in Office 365 is where you can find and access SharePoint sites and portals within your organisation.  You will also find news from the sites you are following, sites you visit frequently and other suggested news items. The SharePoint home page is a bit like a SharePoint favourites page.

1       Click SharePoint on the Office 365 home page.

2       You will then see the SharePoint home page.