SharePoint is a Microsoft 365 service that allows users to build intranets for the purposes of sharing information and facilitating collaboration. It appeared in 2001, and SharePoint Online didn’t arrive until 2013. Over 200 million people worldwide use SharePoint as of December of that year.
Many of us have used Microsoft SharePoint, but we aren’t experts on the platform. Our best guess is that you’re either one of two types of people.
- Do you need to build an intranet? Have you heard of SharePoint, and don’t know which version to use?
- You’re wondering whether or not it makes sense to move your SharePoint On-Premise intranet online, and if so, why?
In this article, we’ll compare and contrast on-premise SharePoint intranets with SharePoint Online, and discuss why the latter is often preferable for businesses of all sizes.
What is the difference between SharePoint Online & On-Premise?
To use SharePoint On-Premise, a business must have its own server hardware. However, you can access SharePoint Online from anywhere with an internet connection. What Is SharePoint On-Premise?
Most businesses have their own IT department that takes care of SharePoint On-Premise in-house, where it is hosted. The team is responsible for applying security patches and any other updates that may be necessary. On-premise SharePoint relies on a Server/CAL model, which grants users the authorization to utilize the server’s hosted services.
Two time-sensitive issues must be addressed when working with SharePoint On-Premise:
SharePoint On-Premise Version Support is Sunsetting for Some Older Releases
SharePoint 2013 is one of the On-Premise versions that Microsoft will no longer support after April 8, 2019. Before the EOL date of April 11, 2023, users of on-premises SharePoint 2013 intranets should make preparations to switch to SharePoint Online. SharePoint 2019 and 2016 will be out of date by the year 2026.
In theory, users can continue using their existing SharePoint 2013 server in an unsupported state indefinitely. However, this involves serious risks, so users shouldn’t do that.
SharePoint In-House Programs Are Rapidly Becoming Obsolete
The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the limitations of locally installed software. Due to the widespread need for remote work during the pandemic, it became quickly apparent that on-premise software might not be the best choice going forward. Software that is used ‘On-Premise’ is installed and used on the computers of the end user or end-user organization.
On-premises software has significant constraints in comparison to cloud and server farm solutions. Therefore, at the height of the pandemic, organizations frequently struggled due to a lack of remote access to data.
SharePoint Online: What Is It?
As part of a Microsoft 365 or SharePoint subscription, you can access SharePoint Online, a cloud-based service provided by Microsoft.
Why Is SharePoint Online Preferable?
SharePoint in the cloud provides users with many advantages, such as easy methods of data storage, sharing, and management.
Due to SharePoint Online’s extensive network of third-party integrations, coordinating with and communicating with clients and suppliers on the outside is a breeze. SharePoint Online is a hybrid web/cloud service. This removes the need for costly data storage, monthly subscriptions, and alternative on-premises SharePoint installations.
These are the main benefits that can be anticipated from switching to the SharePoint Online platform:
- Support for Synchronization with Microsoft 365.
- Superior safety measures.
- Integration with mobile platforms to make data readily available while on the go
- Facilitated user-to-user collaboration when working remotely
- Complying with regulations such as HIPPA, FIMSA, and ISO 27001.
- Having the option to create document libraries is a great way to improve teamwork.
When & How to Switch to SharePoint Online
When making the switch from an on-premises SharePoint intranet to SharePoint Online, it’s important to keep in mind the following.
- You’ll need the help of your IT department or a technology partner to successfully implement a SharePoint migration.
- The intranet project is unrelated to your SharePoint migration.
- Updating your intranet to make the most of SharePoint and its features, such as the Modern SharePoint experience, is a natural next step in the migration process.
- When it comes to motivating your workforce, even SharePoint Online may fall short. For instance, Powell Intranet is a third-party tool that could be used in conjunction with the former.
- We have an expert team of SharePoint migration Experts if you are planning a migration to SharePoint Online or have already started the process.
