First,people feel overwhelmed. Everyone's inbox is filled with slightly different versionsof the same document. Manik is never sure if she has the latest version.Second, it’s impossible for her to see a complete snapshot of the project.Everything is spread across multiple computers. And everyone of the team hasdifferent information depending on who they talk to. Third, even though theproject will impact other projects, there’s no way to connect them. They’relike islands. She spends valuable time trying to coordinate with other project leadsand stakeholders. It’s better than sending snailmail, but it’s not the only way.

Toolslike SharePoint can take away some of the pain of collaborating and easily dothings that were difficult before. Imagine this scenario, Manik starts a newproject and needs to form a team. This time, she creates an online home for theproject by starting a new SharePoint site. To help fill up a team, Manikidentifies potential team members with special skills using Search. Withinminutes, she finds two graphic designers in the company and contacts them aboutthe project. Once the team is formed, Andrea and Demitri learn that they havemore in common thanks to SharePoint blogs. Common interests and things likemountain-biking help build relationships that create a solid team foundation.For this project, there is little worry about the attachments and versioncontrol. SharePoint becomes the source for everything related to the project.All documents live in SharePoint where there is only one version.

The sameis true for calendars. The team shared calendar means no one has to guess aboutmeeting times or due dates. Manik soon realizes she also needs budgetspreadsheets and presentations. Instead of having to reinvent the wheel, she can search SharePoint for documents fromother projects that help her get started quickly.

The sameis true for existing databases and networks within her company. SharePointplugs into these systems, so Manik and her team can access sales data, inventorynumbers and contact information right from SharePoint.

Now shecan see that instead of people, documents, company data being islands in a hugeocean, SharePoint creates a home that not only connects these islands, butallows her company to see the big picture. Manik’s memories of thosepre-SharePoint days are still fresh. But now she looks forward to the nextproject, even though she’s taking a break on her own island get away.