WSS vs. MOSS

WSS vs. MOSS Hosted SharePoint from KartHost is Windows SharePoint Services (WSS), a feature filled, basic platform for business collaboration. It fulfills the workspace and file sharing needs of the majority of businesses, and it is cost effective because it is hosted in a shared environment. However, it is not Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) which offers more advanced features but requires a dedicated server and more costly licensing. If you require MOSS, you probably know that you need it. Here is a comparison of the platforms. Functionality WSS is the basic platform for collaboration, sharing, workflow, and Web 2.0 interactivity on which potent lightweight business applications are pre-built (“Fantastic 40” application templates) or quickly created. These applications are ideal for catering to SMB needs in document management, project management, process management, problem management, CRM 'lite,' among many others. MOSS takes it to the next level with enterprise-scale workflow, search, business intelligence, content management, business process management, and more extensive MS Office integration. Price We offer WSS for free with 250MB storage and pay-as-you-go low pricing for additional storage. MOSS requires a dedicated server either in-house or hosted. KartHost can provide dedicated server hosting if needed. However, MOSS also requires licensing based on the number of servers and users. Hosting MOSS in-house for 30 users can cost over $100,000 per year with licensing, hardware, and maintenance. Hosting Configuration WSS is excellent for a shared server environment. MOSS requires a dedicated server. Target Market WSS serves well for small business and lower- to mid-market. MOSS is effectively mid- to upper-market or enterprise. More Details What is the difference between Windows SharePoint Services and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007? Windows SharePoint Services is Microsoft’s fundamental platform for collaboration, drawing on key Windows Server services like Windows Workflow Services and Windows Rights Management Services to provide a framework for document management as well as a common repository for storing documents of all types. Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 is an integrated suite of server applications built on top of the Windows SharePoint Services platform. Office SharePoint Services 2007 helps improve organizational effectiveness by providing comprehensive content management, accelerating shared business processes, and facilitating information-sharing across boundaries for better business insight. Office SharePoint Server 2007 provides information technology professionals with the tools they need for server administration, application extensibility, and interoperability. Additionally, IT professionals benefit from one integrated platform that supports intranets, extranets, and Web applications across an enterprise, instead of relying on separate fragmented systems. How do I determine if I need WSS vs. SharePoint Server 2007? This is usually expressed less in terms about "WSS vs. SharePoint Server 2007" and more in context of what capabilities help address different business needs. You could consider MOSS when your needs include one or multiple of these capabilities: • Extended platform for collaboration to other solutions like enterprise-wide portals and Internet-facing content sites. • Comprehensive access to people, documents, and information, with rich Search capabilities that spans workgroups, collaborative workspaces, portals, LOB records, structured and unstructured data. • Extended and enhanced content management capabilities, including ready-to-use workflow applications, document management policies, PowerPoint slide libraries, and auditing. • Broad availability of data driven reports and spreadsheets, giving one common view ("version of the truth") for fact-based decision making. • User profiling, audience targeting of content and application items, and individual role-based "My Sites" that both provide users with personal portals and allow users to share information in social networking scenarios. • Integrated navigation and categorization of collaborative workspaces and site directories.