Most of information workers and IT guys and developers are acknowledged about different CMSs and of course they at least heard about SharePoint, if not use it. CMS - is a content management system, which enables building Web sites and online applications. SharePoint is a platform for business and collaboration, within which users get a great variety of abilities. These both technologies are widely used all over the world. However SharePoint is way way way more than just a CMS. SharePoint is more like an application framework.

Depending of what is needed workers of small and medium-sized businesses, and large organizations choose the suitable platform which meets their specific requirements. And I would like to tell you about differences between Microsoft SharePoint and other CMS. I will take Joomla as an example of CMS.

As it was already said, such CMS like Joomla are used for building web sites and storing a variety of files, documents and other content. One of the advantages of such systems is their simplicity. The system does not require the administrator to any special knowledge or skills. I can easily be used for simple web sites and applications. And it is flexible since users can deploy with tons of add-ons covering all kinds of categories.

What about SharePoint 2010, using it is a bit more complicated, but it does not require special skills as well. It has ribbon user interface, just like other Microsoft applications. SharePoint 2010 provides lot of features for building site, setting up necessary rules, creating necessary content and downloading documents. It has a big area of capabilities and high level of compliancy. One of the greatest advantages of SharePoint – is its integration with Microsoft Office applications which gives users a significant working experience and connects all the necessary business tools together. It enables creating lists and structuralizing data in a friendly manner.  SharePoint 2010 is integrated with Microsoft Workspace and can be accessed offline. Connection with Outlook 2010 and Lync 2010 is also of great importance. It enables sending emails and instant messages and stay in line with a one click. Within “photos and presence” feature customers have an ability to communicate and collaborate even more effectively. The ability to customize SharePoint, create alerts, dashboards, and workflows without a line of code within SharePoint Designer was also appreciated by users greatly.

So, in addition to all its advantages, if you want a great document site – SharePoint 2010 would be the best solution. It also perfect for Intranets, Internal Portals, knowledge sharing and so on.

To start up with SharePoint is just easy as with Joomla, you need to sign up an appropriate for you plan from one of hosting companies. But try and find the reliable one.  A good hosting company, let’s take PlexHosted as an example, is critical to SharePoint hosting experience. It also has a high level of performance, security and support. This can be easily tested by subscribing 30 days, no obligation, free trial.