SharePoint vs. Network Drive

Question

_{Monday, November 15, 2010 4:49 PM}

In some respects, using a SharePoint team site for document collaboration doesn't seem to be any more productive than reviewing a document on a network drive.  So, what's the benefit of using SharePoint for document collaboration versus using a shared network drive?

For one thing, I know that with SP, you can employ "version control", so you when and who updated the documents and you can restore them when needed.  It's better than shadow copy in network drives.  Also, with SP, you can have "flow control" on a file, and share files with your customers rather than using ftp server, etc.

For another thing, with SP, you can segment folders/files (into department sites), assign permissions, create document libraries, setup lists and views, and add apps to pull data from various sources.

Is there anything else?  Am I missing things (I probably am).  Does anyone here know of a good link that compares SP to a network drive and/or shows the benefits of hosting files on SP rather than doing so on a network drive.

Thanks!

Ryan Shuell

All replies (3)

_{Monday, November 15, 2010 5:04 PM ✅Answered | 1 vote}

I think you've hit most of the items I have in my list:

• Check-in / Check-out and version control
• (This might be new) The ability to add and manage additional file properties, columns, metadata - whatever you want to call them
• The ability to create views - which relies heavily on the additional properties
• The ability to use policies (retention and other) and workflows with SharePoint list and library content
• Recycle bins are much easier for user experience and they are typically part of a larger 3 or 4-tier solution (user bin, admin bin, 3rd party tools, db recovery)
• User security management instead of IT management. 

So, you have a good list there with maybe a few more things to add. 

Wes

SharePoint Consultant | SharePoint MVP | My Blog | Minnesota SharePoint User Grop (MNSPUG)

_{Monday, November 15, 2010 5:12 PM}

Thanks, Wes!  Anyone else have some ideas?

_{Sunday, February 13, 2011 8:25 PM}

From my reading and research, I would say there could be a relationship between SharePoint libraries and shared drive folders.  Namely, SharePoint libraries could house "active" documents, to wit, documents that are under development or are being routinely used.  The shared drive folders could house documents that are not routinely used but need to be saved for reference. 

We are looking at that where I work.  We plan to architect the shared drive folder structure to mirror the site structure on SharePoint to facilitate ease of search and access, and implement policies to keep the life-cycle flow in check.