Do you know the difference between SharePoint and OneDrive for Business?
On the surface, SharePoint and OneDrive may seem like very similar platforms, with document management and sharing capabilities. However, they are two very different platforms with different abilities. For example, I often see businesses leveraging OneDrive as their primary storage option when they should use SharePoint.
SharePoint is a web-based collaboration platform that helps organisations share and manage information for projects. It includes features such as document management, workflow, and social networking. Microsoft OneDrive for Business is a cloud-based storage and file-sharing service that allows users to sync files across devices and share them with others.
Here is more on how these platforms differ…
Two ways to manage documents and resources
SharePoint and OneDrive are great platforms for managing documents and resources in the cloud. However, there are some critical differences between the two that you should know when finalising your business processes.
SharePoint gives businesses more control over how documents are shared and accessed. For example, SharePoint allows companies to set up security permissions so that only certain people can see or edit certain documents.
SharePoint also has robust document versioning capabilities. You can keep track of changes made to documents over time and restore older versions if needed. OneDrive does not have this same level of versioning capability.
SharePoint is a platform specifically designed for team collaboration, while OneDrive is more focused on individual users. SharePoint has more features and tools for managing documents and resources collectively. OneDrive is ideal for storing and sharing personal files.
Completely different platforms for workflows, dashboards and calendars
For workflows, dashboards, and calendars, SharePoint and OneDrive are incomparable. OneDrive is simply a folder system in the cloud for sharing documents and tracking changes. Here are the key capabilities that SharePoint delivers:
- SharePoint has rich workflow capabilities for you to use out-of-the-box, including support for external data sources.
- SharePoint has a much more robust dashboard infrastructure, allowing for greater customisation and integration with other data sources.
- Calendars: SharePoint has a richer set of calendar capabilities, including the ability to overlay multiple calendars and view them side-by-side.
SharePoint also has several extra features that OneDrive does not, including document management, versioning, and compliance support.
Enhanced cyber security to protect your documents
SharePoint and OneDrive offer your business different options when it comes to enterprise-grade cyber security features.
SharePoint offers a more comprehensive approach to security, with features like site-level permissions and information rights management. OneDrive, on the other hand, provides a simpler security model that includes file-level permissions and encryption for files in transit and at rest.
One of SharePoint’s main security features is access controls to restrict access and ensure that only the right people have access to certain parts of the platform. If a breach occurs, it makes it much easier for IT to protect the rest of the platform and quarantine the breach. OneDrive, on the other hand, has fewer access controls because it does not need them for document sharing.
Overall, Microsoft 365 includes access controls across the entire platform, including SharePoint and OneDrive, so that you can assign permissions to the right people in your organisation.
How SharePoint and OneDrive for Business work together
SharePoint and OneDrive for Business work together to give you a centralised place to store, organise, and share your files. With SharePoint, you can create team sites to work on projects with others and keep all your project-related files in one place. OneDrive for Business is your personal online storage space where you can save and access all your essential files from anywhere.
SharePoint and OneDrive for Business are two of the most popular productivity tools in Office 365. They both allow users to store, share, and collaborate on files. However, you should be aware of some key differences between the two services.
SharePoint is a collaboration tool designed for teams to work together on projects. It includes features such as team sites, document libraries, and lists. OneDrive for Business is a personal storage tool designed for individual users to store and access their files.
Wyntec can refine how you leverage SharePoint and OneDrive
Creating a modern workplace is more than just leveraging the latest technology; it is how you leverage it.
Much of the technology you already have, such as Microsoft 365, pave the way to improving business outcomes. When you improve collaboration, data accessibility, and digitisation of processes, you create a modern workplace where your team can excel.
Wyntec enables business transformation by combining our knowledge of your sector and business with our technical expertise. Our goal is to create solutions that increase your ability to grow and sustain profits. Visit our Modern Workplace Transformation page for more on our capabilities and offerings.
