Microsoft SharePoint Technologies and Terms

Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 (WSS 3.0)
Windows SharePoint Services (WSS) is a component of Microsoft Windows Server 2003. It is provided as a free download and gives the users a powerful toolset for organizing information, managing documents, increasing the efficiency of business processes, and providing robust collaboration environments. WSS helps teams stay connected and productive by providing an infrastructure that allows access to the people, documents, and information they need. With WSS, teams can create Web sites to share information and foster collaboration with other users. WSS sites can be accessed from a Web browser or through desktop applications (Microsoft Office).

Microsoft SharePoint Designer 2007
SharePoint Designer 2007 provides the tools with which to tailor SharePoint sites. SharePoint Designer 2007, based in part on Microsoft Office FrontPage technology, provides tools for rich customization of sites, as well as the creation of reporting tools and application templates, without any coding.

Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 (MOSS 2007)
Microsoft Office SharePoint Services (MOSS) is a licensed enterprise extension to the free WSS 3.0 platform. Its main strength is enabling an organization's information to be organized in one central, web-based application. It can be configured to return separate content for Intranet, Extranet and Internet locations. The primary areas of improvement over WSS are Excel Services, InfoPath Forms Services, the Business Data Catalog, Enterprise Search, web content management, more specialized document management, records management, web 2.0 collaboration functionality like blogs and wikis, delivery of information stored in SharePoint via RSS, Microsoft PowerPoint slide libraries, and the ability to take content and lists offline with Outlook 2007 and Microsoft Access.

Administrators, IT Pros
The Administrator is responsible for Server and database management and will allocate physical infrastructure, install SharePoint, provision and configure web application, and provide for top level security administration. Training should include deployment practices, SharePoint central Administration, monitoring, maintenance, backup/restore, disaster recovery, and management of Share Service Providers.

Developers
The Developer needs education on the structure to be followed in the organization for developing add-ins and solutions based on SharePoint technologies. This should include the deployment process, development environments, development life cycle management, coding standards, and polices such as security levels and whether code can be deployed in the GAC.

Site Owners (Power Users)
Site Owners represent the users who will be managing individual sites and workspaces as well as the sub-sites underneath them. Responsible for managing the users and content on those sites and subsites, as well as the application of existing templates, the placement of web parts, the look and feel of the sites and subsites, and the creation of additional lists, libraries and/or sites.

Site Collection Administrators (Content Managers)
Site Collection Administrators may have some or all of the responsibilities of a Site Owner as well as the following responsibilities: Creation of the Site Collection, creation of content types, site and list template creation, site collection feature activation, and some portal site creation.

Information Workers (Power Users)
Information Workers configure and extend site and list level feature sets. This includes branding, advanced Web Part features, workflows, and other integration points. Training should include SharePoint Designer, Shared Service Provider interface for Search or other Service Management, Site Settings, InfoPath, and standard SharePoint site administrator interfaces.

Business Users (End Users)
End users account for the bulk of SharePoint users and skills will vary greatly. Core daily use includes basic navigation, search, and document management. Focus should be on understanding lists, user interfaces, navigation, workflows, upload, offline, and interaction with client applications.

Help Desk Personnel (Power Users)
Help Desk Personnel are the first in line to the end users. Much of the training and education for the help desk should be focused around problem resolution and how to locate the right resources when needed.