I help small and mid-market companies solve business
problems with IT-based solutions and improved processes. As a
Microsoft Gold Partner, TwinEngines has SharePoint technology
as one of the tools in the toolbox. So after the problem
is understood and goals and objectives are finalized, we
start defining and architecting the solution that is
the right fit for the best value. When that solution
involves collaboration with employees, customers and
vendors or business intelligence, then I reach into the
toolbox for Microsoft SharePoint as an option.
Solely speaking from the technology perspective, this is where
it gets confusing. That's because we have to answer the
question, "what Microsoft SharePoint technology is right for the
solution and corporation?" Is it Microsoft SharePoint
Services? Is it MOSS 2007 Standard Edition? Is it MOSS
2007 Enterprise Edition? What about Forms Sever or Search
Server? What are the costs involved?
Windows SharePoint Services, WSS, is
a platform for building Web-based business applications.
It has administrative controls for managing storage and Web
infrastructure providing a cost-effective way to implement and
manage a high-performance collaboration environment. WSS is
included in Windows Server 2003 and later versions. If you own
Windows Server then you already have WSS. Since there are no
additional licensing costs, I look at WSS as the first choice when
architecting a solution.
Office SharePoint Server 2007, MOSS
2007, extends the capabilities of Windows SharePoint
Services by providing organization and management tools, and by
making it possible to publish information to the entire
organization. MOSS 2007 offers ready-to-go,
enterprise-wide functionality for records management, search,
workflows, portals, personalized sites, and more. It has its
own licensing costs.
There is a lot of information out there to explain SharePoint,
because it can do so many things. In working with Microsoft over
the years, I have discovered 3 links that help explain what is
the right SharePoint technology and what are the costs:
1. Which
SharePoint technology is right for you?
2.
Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Related Technologies
pricing
3. Microsoft
Windows Server 2008 Licensing Model
At TwinEngines we bring in licensing specialists as part of our
team. We provide a complete picture of a solution in terms of
strategy, technology, process and support. We also show the
short term and long term costs and ROI. We look at business
problems first, and pull out the SharPoint technology tool when we
think it will help our customers achieve the goals and objectives,
with the best return on investment.