Amazon WorkDocs vs SharePoint

August 26, 2023 | Author: Michael Stromann
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Amazon WorkDocs
Amazon WorkDocs is a fully managed, secure enterprise storage and sharing service with strong administrative controls and feedback capabilities that improve user productivity. Users can comment on files, send them to others for feedback, and upload new versions without having to resort to emailing multiple versions of their files as attachments. Users can take advantage of these capabilities wherever they are, using the device of their choice, including PCs, Macs, and tablets.
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SharePoint
SharePoint's multi-purpose platform allows for managing and provisioning of intranet portals, extranets and websites, document management and file management, collaboration spaces, social networking tools, enterprise search, business intelligence tooling, process/information integration, and third-party developed solutions. SharePoint can also be used as a web application development platform.
Amazon WorkDocs and SharePoint are both cloud-based document management and collaboration platforms that are designed for use within organizations. However, there are some main differences between the two:

Platform: Amazon WorkDocs is a cloud-based document management and collaboration platform provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS), while SharePoint is a product offered by Microsoft as part of its Microsoft 365 suite of productivity tools. This means that Amazon WorkDocs is hosted on Amazon's cloud infrastructure, while SharePoint can be hosted on Microsoft's cloud or on-premises servers.

Integration with other tools: SharePoint is tightly integrated with other Microsoft productivity tools such as Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and Microsoft Teams, providing a seamless experience for users who are already using Microsoft products. Amazon WorkDocs also integrates with popular productivity tools, but it may require additional configuration and setup to achieve the same level of integration with Microsoft products.

Collaboration features: Both Amazon WorkDocs and SharePoint offer collaboration features such as document sharing, version control, and commenting. However, SharePoint is known for its extensive collaboration features, including document co-authoring in real-time, team sites, and workflow automation, which makes it a powerful platform for team collaboration and content management within organizations.

Customization and extensibility: SharePoint offers a high degree of customization and extensibility, allowing organizations to create custom workflows, forms, and applications using SharePoint's built-in tools and development framework. Amazon WorkDocs, on the other hand, provides limited customization options and may not be as extensible as SharePoint in terms of creating custom applications or workflows.

Pricing and licensing: Amazon WorkDocs offers a simple pricing structure based on the number of users, with different tiers of storage options available. SharePoint, on the other hand, is typically included as part of Microsoft 365 subscription plans, which also include other Microsoft products such as Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Teams, and Exchange Online. SharePoint can also be purchased separately with its own licensing model, which may include additional features and capabilities.

Target audience: While both Amazon WorkDocs and SharePoint are designed for organizational use, they may have different target audiences. Amazon WorkDocs may be more suitable for smaller organizations or teams that are already using or considering using other Amazon Web Services (AWS) products, while SharePoint is commonly used in larger organizations that are already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem and require robust collaboration and content management capabilities.

In summary, the main differences between Amazon WorkDocs and SharePoint include the platform, integration with other tools, collaboration features, customization and extensibility, pricing and licensing, and target audience. Organizations should consider their specific requirements, existing IT infrastructure, and budget when choosing between the two platforms.

See also: Top 10 Cloud Storages
Amazon WorkDocs vs SharePoint in our news:

2018. SharePoint gets organization-wide news and content targeting



Microsoft has recently announced several enhancements for SharePoint and Office 365 sites, bringing new capabilities and functionalities. Among the notable updates is the introduction of a designated communication site that serves as the official news portal for the organization. This allows news posted on the portal to be easily identified with a special indicator, ensuring clear visibility on both mobile devices and the SharePoint home page. Additionally, a new feature enables the targeting of content to specific audiences based on their Active Directory (AD) Group membership, including dynamic groups. Moreover, SharePoint sites now have the ability to create mega-menus for navigation, facilitating improved user experiences and seamless site exploration. These advancements aim to enhance communication, personalization, and navigation within SharePoint and Office 365 sites.


2017. SharePoint 2016 finally added SharePoint Framework Support



Microsoft's objective in launching SharePoint Framework into general availability in February was to attract a wider pool of developers to the SharePoint ecosystem. Now, with the introduction of SharePoint Feature Pack 2 (FP2), the company extends Framework support to users of SharePoint 2016. Framework serves as a page and web part model, offering comprehensive assistance for client-side SharePoint development, seamless integration with SharePoint data, and compatibility with open source tools. This release simplifies the process for SharePoint 2016 users and third-party developers to construct solutions centered around SharePoint.


2017. SharePoint Framework is generally available



Microsoft has introduced the SharePoint Framework, empowering developers and administrators to construct and deploy components that are utilized by Office 365 users within their production environments. This advancement entails leveraging web technologies to create agile, responsive, and notably mobile-friendly applications on SharePoint. While SharePoint has served as an application and development platform for a considerable duration, the release of the Framework marks a significant stride in enhancing the developer experience. Historically described as unwieldy and challenging, the SharePoint Framework introduces improvements that address these concerns.


2016. Microsoft connects SharePoint Team Sites to Office 365 Groups



Microsoft is rolling out the integration of SharePoint and Office 365 team sites, introducing a new feature that enables the creation of interconnected SharePoint Online team sites within seconds. This integration simplifies the process as follows: Whenever an Office 365 Group is created, the service automatically generates a SharePoint team site. The appearance of the site can be customized by the team site administrator and includes various elements such as pages, lists, libraries, and team news. SharePoint team sites serve as collaborative spaces where teams can effectively communicate, share documents, and collaborate on projects. They are user-friendly and facilitate the creation of dedicated sites for each project undertaken by the team. Moreover, team sites are easily accessible across multiple devices, making them suitable for mobile workers as well.


2016. Microsoft released SharePoint for Android



Despite Microsoft's withdrawal from actively competing in the mobile OS market for the past two years, the company has been notably sluggish in releasing Android apps. However, Microsoft has finally unveiled its SharePoint mobile client specifically designed for Android smartphones and tablets. This application offers users the ability to collaborate within team sites and access documents stored in SharePoint across various categories, including Sites, Links, and People. To utilize the SharePoint app, organizations must have an Office 365 subscription that includes SharePoint Online. Support for SharePoint Server 2013 and SharePoint 2016 will be incorporated at a later stage. Earlier this year, Microsoft released SharePoint mobile apps for iOS and Windows Phone, with the latter app still being in the preview stage.


2016. Microsoft brings SharePoint to iOS


Microsoft has introduced a new mobile application for SharePoint users, designed to provide access to a company's SharePoint-powered intranet portal and its content on smartphones and tablets. Initially available on iOS devices such as iPhones and iPads, the app will be extended to Android and Windows platforms by the end of the year, according to Microsoft. The app is compatible with both SharePoint Online in Office 365 and SharePoint Server 2013 or 2016 in on-premises or hybrid environments. It includes a Sites tab that enables users to visit their frequently accessed SharePoint sites, view recent activity, access files, lists, pages, and other content on those sites. Additionally, the app integrates with other Microsoft mobile applications, allowing seamless transitions between apps. For instance, clicking on an Office document in the SharePoint app will open the corresponding Office mobile app, while viewing a document library on a team site will redirect users to the OneDrive mobile app for iOS.


2016. SharePoint adds new document libraries


Now that SharePoint 2016 has arrived, Microsoft is gradually introducing SharePoint Document Libraries to its commercial Office 365 subscribers through SharePoint Online. These new document libraries represent a more user-friendly approach to SharePoint, allowing users to conveniently access documents, modify document metadata, and prioritize content within the document library. This development is significant as it addresses longstanding criticisms of earlier versions of SharePoint regarding usability challenges. Throughout the extensive lead-up to the release of SharePoint 2016, Microsoft pledged its commitment to enhancing the user experience.


2015. Amazon released mobile app for Cloud Drive



Amazon has launched a specialized mobile application that grants users access to their stored documents within the Cloud Drive service. This release is a response to the growing competition within the cloud storage market, where companies like Google and Dropbox dominate. The newly introduced app is compatible with iOS, Android, and Kindle devices, enabling users to conveniently view all their documents stored in their Amazon Cloud account. The accessibility extends to any location where users are logged in. Additionally, the app serves as a complementary tool to the existing desktop cloud client. With this mobile app, users can now browse their files, much like using a desktop's file browser, similar to the functionality offered by the Dropbox app.


2015. Amazon Cloud Drive adds unlimited storage plan



Amazon Cloud Drive is expanding its services to include a paid offering that encompasses a wide range of content and is available to users outside of its loyalty program. With Unlimited Cloud Storage, users can opt for either unlimited photo storage or an "unlimited everything" plan, which covers various media types such as videos, music, and PDF documents. The pricing for these plans is set at $11.99 per year for unlimited photo storage and $59.99 per year for the comprehensive "unlimited everything" option. This strategic move by Amazon is a direct response to the competition posed by established players like Dropbox, Google, Microsoft, and other prominent providers in the increasingly crowded market for cloud-based storage services. While Amazon is not the first to offer "unlimited" storage, it appears to be the first to market this service to anyone who desires it.


2014. Amazon adds new syncing feature to enterprise cloud storage Zocalo



Amazon's Zocalo work-collaboration tool, which rivals services such as Dropbox and Box, has introduced a new functionality that enables the synchronization of files to your computer or mobile device via a shared folder. Users can establish project-specific folders and selectively share them with members of their project team whenever necessary. Once a shared folder is set up, team members gain access to the documents within, and any modifications made and saved to the files are recorded by Zocalo. The syncing feature is optional and can be activated in the preferences section of the Zocalo client, should users desire to utilize it.

Author: Michael Stromann
Michael is an expert in IT Service Management, IT Security and software development. With his extensive experience as a software developer and active involvement in multiple ERP implementation projects, Michael brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his writings. Having previously worked at SAP, he has honed his expertise and gained a deep understanding of software development and implementation processes. Currently, as a freelance developer, Michael continues to contribute to the IT community by sharing his insights through guest articles published on several IT portals. You can contact Michael by email stromann@liventerprise.com