SharePoint Workspace

Just yesterday we talked about Sharepoint Workspace - the tool which allows to sync files between Sharepoint server and user's computer, and today the cloud file collaborative service Box.net (which is positioned as a Sharepoint alternative) released the similar tool Box Sync. This is a program that is installed on your computer and allows you to sync any folder in your online Box.net account with desktop. If you change any file in that folder, it will be immediately synced, and those users who have access to this folder - will receive an alert. For now Box Sync is only available for Windows and only in the paid (business) accounts. Versions for Mac and Linux, as well as the free version will appear later this year.

We have already mentioned that p2p collaboration app MS Office Groove was renamed to SharePoint Workspace and utilized as an offline client for Sharepoint. Now we have got the chance to see SharePoint Workspace 2010 in action and it appears that offline access to Sharepoint - is not the only function of this application. First, SharePoint Workspace can be used without Sharepoint - as well as MS Office Groove. I.e. you can create Groove Workspace (with files, calendar, discussions) and sync it with computers of co-workers or customers. However, the audio-chat and permission levels disappeared from the application. Recall that SharePoint Workspace is not sold as a part of Sharepoint Server, but as a part of Office 2010 Pro Plus.

The suite of Web-services for creating collaborative websites Windows Sharepoint Services (WSS) is renamed to SharePoint Foundation 2010. What has changed in the new version? For users - it's a new Ribbon-interface (like in Office 2007) with extensive use of Ajax and Silverlight technologies. Improved customization allow to build branded sites. Of course, the new version SharePoint Foundation 2010 is designed for use in conjunction with the upcoming Office 2010 and a new offline client SharePoint Workspace 2010 (former Groove, which was a part of MS Office). The new version will be especially useful for administrators as it contains a lot of new administrative tools. In particular, SharePoint Health Analyzer (which monitors the state of the Sharepoint-server), sandbox for websites and Windows PowerShell - new command-line interface. Developers will utilize Business Connectivity Services which enable to easily integrate Sharepoint with other business applications.