Getting started with SharePoint

Microsoft have delivered potentially gamebreaking software with MOSS 2007.  But pity the organisations taking delivery of MOSS 2007.  Classically business has a problem or an opportunity and looks to IT (and others) for a solution.  So, we want a document management system or we want a portal to publish information to our employees or whatever.  Microsoft have come along with a platform which enables companies like Ciall (www.ciall.com) to build all types of solutions, integrate with your current applications, sponsor/ drive introduction of social networking in your organisation, distract people from their day job. 

SharePoint requires a phased approach.  There must be a controlled pilot – with specifc objectives and outputs.  And that in itself requires an investment in technology, training, configuration and population.  From the pilot the organisation can begin to move forward – or may choose to reject the initiative (because there is no business requirement with an effective solution built around SharePoint).

Gamebreaking definetly; but there are risks and there will be a large number for half started, never finished, wasted efforts.

The real opportunity is for the business executive who has a business problem/opportunity which can be solved effectively using Sharepoint as the platform.  Now we are talking about IT and business people having an understanding of what SharePoint can do well (and what it cannot do very well).  That's the fertile ground for SharePoint.