What is a SharePoint

SharePoint is an extensible and scalable web-based platform consisting of tools and technologies that collectively form what’s known as SharePoint Products and Technologies. The total package is a platform on which you can build business applications to help you better store, share, and manage digital information within your organization.

In other words; a SharePoint site is a Web site that provides a central storage and collaboration space for documents, information, and ideas. A SharePoint site helps groups of people (whether work teams or social groups) share information and work together.

SharePoint Products and Technologies have two major offerings:

1. Windows SharePoint Services 3.0: It is a free offering available to Windows Server 2003 and Small Business Server 2003. It contains the core functionality needed for document management and collaboration, such as document libraries and lists.
2. Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007: It is a newer version of SharePoint Portal Server 2003. It offers the same features of WSS in addition to the functionality required for Enterprise Content Management as well as Excel and Forms Services, Business Data Catalog, and Business Intelligence.