Functions and features
Microsoft SharePoint is a web application with which companies can quickly and easily create and host internal websites for the exchange of information and for cross-location digital collaboration, e.g. intranet applications, team or project-specific sites. All digital content (texts, documents, tables, images, technical drawings, videos, etc.) is stored centrally on the SharePoint server and organised, structured and edited individually via sites. The sites can be supplemented and expanded with wikis, blogs, etc., and responsibilities and deadlines can also be defined and tracked.
SharePoint offers an enterprise content management system that integrates natively with other Microsoft applications (e.g. Teams). With just a few clicks of the mouse, you can create customised sites from Microsoft Teams that serve as a central point of contact for team members to share or collaborate on content.
Advantages of SharePoint Server 2019
The current version of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2019 has replaced the previous version SharePoint Server 2016. Compared to the previous versions 2016 and 2013, SharePoint Server 2019 offers numerous new and improved functions. For example, the use of digital content in websites has been significantly simplified and the user interface has been modernised.
The new SharePoint home page offers every user standardised access to their own websites, online and locally, as well as a better user experience on mobile devices. Collaboration and communication between teams has also been optimised in the current SharePoint version. Last but not least, restrictions such as the maximum file size or file path length have been relaxed in SharePoint Server 2019 to make it easier to synchronise content on your own storage media with SharePoint, for example.
SharePoint Server 2019 will be supplied with free patches and updates by Microsoft until at least mid-2026. This means that the latest version of Microsoft SharePoint offers companies additional security - both in terms of cost-effectiveness and data protection. Companies can purchase the required licences for the SharePoint server and access licences second-hand and at a reasonable price from Soft & Cloud - with secure licence transfer repeatedly certified by TÜVIT. Soft & Cloud fulfils all the requirements that the ECJ laid down in its 2012 landmark ruling for the resale of software.
When purchasing a used licence, you have the same rights as buyers who purchase their licences directly from Microsoft. This means that with a current SharePoint Server 2019 CAL, you can also access older versions of SharePoint and use its functions. Conversely, you cannot use successor versions (SharePoint Server 2016 or 2019) with SharePoint Server 2013 CALs, for example, but require CALs that correspond at least to the version of the SharePoint server.
What is the difference between a SharePoint User CAL and a SharePoint Device CAL?
A Client Access Licence, or CAL for SharePoint for short, enables access to a SharePoint server and the use of server services on a client. The access licence is either valid for one user, who can then access the SharePoint server from all devices (mobile and local), or for a defined device (e.g. a workstation), regardless of the user.
The use of user CALs is always recommended when employees work on different devices, both in the office and on the move. Each access licence is then linked to a user stored in the system and enables users to access the SharePoint server with different clients, for example from the home office.
Device CALs for SharePoint are useful where different employees share a workstation. The licence then authorises this device to access the SharePoint server, regardless of which user logs on to it.
In most companies, both user and device CALs are used in order to be able to use SharePoint as flexibly as possible and at the same time limit the overall licence costs. If you are not sure how many and which access licences are required for your company to make optimum use of SharePoint Server, the Soft & Cloud licensing consultants will be happy to advise you. We will determine your specific requirements and provide you with a customised quote on request.
What is the difference between SharePoint Standard and Enterprise?
SharePoint CALs are available in two variants (Standard and Enterprise). With a standard CAL for SharePoint, the basic functions of the platform can be used, i.e. a central infrastructure for all company websites, communities as an integrated platform for collaboration, an intuitive enterprise content management system for all content and a convenient person and expert search with visual preview and visual suggestions.
An additional enterprise CAL for SharePoint makes it possible to use the full range of SharePoint functions without restrictions. In addition to the functions that can be used with a standard CAL, the Enterprise version offers advanced search functions (video search, recommendations) as well as standard search functions plus entity extraction. In addition, there are business solutions (with Access Service and InfoPath Services) and Business Intelligence (with Power View, PerformancePoint services, Excel and Visio services).
The SharePoint Enterprise CAL is additive, i.e. to access functions of the Enterprise version of SharePoint, both a Standard CAL and an additional Enterprise CAL are required (per user or device), which leads to significantly higher IT costs for a larger number of users or devices. With used SharePoint Server CALs from Soft & Cloud, you can simply save yourself excessive licence fees and reduce your IT costs.
