
Store files and put version control restrictions in place.Microsoft SharePoint Online is a cloud-based collaboration and document management platform that integrates with Microsoft Office 365’s productivity stack. SharePoint Online is built to: Overall, the file server is best for businesses that require a fairly simple process system, that is easy for employees to navigate or find files quickly, creating backups with easily navigate the useful data recovery and file retrieval features. This is because the file server works better with larger files, in particular when they are gigs in size, as it is faster to download files off a local network rather than over the internet. If your business has to store large files, it is best to store them on your own file server rather than on a cloud-based platform. There are plenty of businesses that use a file server to store their files and it is not a bad option for small to medium-sized businesses that require a simple system, where files can be easily accessed from one central location. The use of directory services provides simple access data controls to users in the business, protecting data from being accessed by the wrong people in the organisation. Hosting of the file server can be at the business location or offsite at a data centre for extra security.Īccess to documents can be controlled by the use of directory services installed onto the file server such as Microsoft’s Active Directory. What is a file server?Ī file server is a dedicated computer connected to a network of computers, providing a centralised location for file storage of business documents. If you are in a similar position, continue reading as I outline the points of difference between using SharePoint Online and a file server, and when is the right time to use one document storage solution over the other. With SharePoint Online becoming easily accessible through Microsoft’s 365, more businesses are looking at ways to incorporate it as a document storage solution. These questions make it apparent that some confusion exists over when to use SharePoint Online instead of a file server for document storage. How can I get my organisation to use SharePoint Online over other file storage solutions?.

What are the disadvantages of using SharePoint Online to store my files and documents?.When and how do we migrate from a file server to SharePoint Online?.What is the difference between a file server running on a Windows server and SharePoint running on Office 365?.Dealing with medium-sized businesses and larger Non-For-Profits ( NFP’s) I often get asked the following questions:
