SharePoint Unleashed: Why It’s Awesome—But Not Your File Dumpster (and How to Avoid the Storage Trap)

Let’s dish on SharePoint—because who doesn’t fantasize about a digital playground where chaos turns into teamwork, all while you sip something strong and pretend you’ve got it together? As the Engineering Director at Cortavo, a Managed Service Provider (MSP) hooked on delivering affordable, scalable IT solutions, I’m here to spill the tea. SharePoint’s a beast for collaboration and organization, but if you’re treating it like a bottomless file pit, those storage costs will slap you silly. Good thing Cortavo’s got slick archival tricks up our sleeve.

In this blog, I’ll unpack SharePoint’s universal awesomeness, flag the storage cost trap, and explain why it’s not your all-file savior—plus how Cortavo swoops in with better options.

Benefits of SharePoint: Why It’s a Big Deal

SharePoint, baked into Microsoft 365, is a web-based powerhouse that anyone can love. Here’s why it’s a crowd-pleaser:

1. Collaboration Nirvana
   • How It Works: Teams hammer out Word docs, Excel sheets, or PowerPoint decks together, live—no more email ping-pong over “final-final-v3.docx.”
   • Why It Rocks: Real-time edits keep everyone in sync, no matter where they’re working from.
2. Your Own Intranet Vibe
   • How It Works: Whip up a central hub for news, docs, or resources—accessible with just a browser and a dream.
   • Why It Rocks: It’s like a company watercooler, minus the awkward small talk.
3. Workflow Wizardry
   • How It Works: Automate approvals, task flows, or document routing with drag-and-drop magic.
   • Why It Rocks: Cuts the busywork, letting you focus on what actually matters.
4. M365 Bestie
   • How It Works: Plugs right into Teams, OneDrive, and Outlook for a seamless toolkit.
   • Why It Rocks: If you’re already in the M365 club, it’s a no-brainer upgrade—no extra dues.

The Storage Cost Sting: SharePoint’s Not a File Hoarder’s Friend

SharePoint’s a dream for active stuff, but piling every file into it? Brace for a budget bruise. Here’s the scoop:

• Base Storage Limits: You kick off with 1TB per tenant, plus 10GB per M365 user. For 20 users, that’s 1.2 TB—fine until your digital attic overflows.
• Extra Storage Price Tag: More space? Cough up $0.20 per GB per month. That’s $200/month for 1TB—$2,400/year. Stash 10TB of old junk, and you’re staring at $24,000 annually. Oof.
• Why It’s Not for Everything: SharePoint’s built for collaboration, not a file mausoleum. Old PDFs and forgotten spreadsheets bloat sites, clog searches, and drain your wallet—Microsoft wants you to archive elsewhere.

Every penny counts, and paying top dollar for store relics no one’s peeked at in years is a rookie move.

Why Archival Storage Trumps SharePoint for the Long Haul

Using SharePoint as your file catch-all is like renting a penthouse for your dusty comic collection—pricey and pointless. Archival storage is the savvy swap:

• Lower Costs: Cloud options like Azure Blob Storage or AWS S3 Glacier run $0.01-$0.02/GB/month—pennies next to SharePoint’s $0.20.
• Scales Like a Dream: Archive terabytes without wincing; SharePoint’s 25TB-per-site cap sneaks up fast.
• Right Tool, Right Job: Inactive files chill out, linked back to SharePoint, keeping it lean for live action.

Sure, archiving takes a little finesse—moving files, setting links, and keeping access smooth. That’s where Cortavo struts in.

How Cortavo Levels Up with Archival Storage

At Cortavo, we don’t just rave about SharePoint—we tackle its quirks. Here’s how we keep your costs low and files safe:

1. Clever Archiving: We shuttle inactive files to Cortavo Cloud (our private cloud) or public options like Azure/AWS, slashing storage fees.
2. Smooth Links: We tie archived files back to SharePoint—click, grab, done. No hunting required.
3. Subscription Ease: Our model flips CapEx to OpEx, bundling SharePoint and archival into one tidy monthly bill.
4. Hands-Off Management: We handle setup, migration, and 24/7 oversight—your files stay secure and off SharePoint’s dime.

How to Rock SharePoint + Cortavo

1. Keep SharePoint Fresh: Use it for live docs and teamwork—skip the digital landfill vibe.
2. Archive Smart: Let Cortavo stash old files in cheaper storage—save money, stay tidy.
3. Set Rules: Auto-archive anything dormant for 6 months with our know-how.
4. Train Up: Focus SharePoint on active workflows; we’ll manage the dusty stuff.
5. Watch the Tab: Track SharePoint storage—Cortavo’s got your thrifty fix.

Why Partner with Cortavo for SharePoint and More?

At Cortavo, we get it—budgets aren’t bottomless, and tech shouldn’t be a headache. SharePoint’s a collaboration gem, but its storage costs bite. Our subscription-based model pairs it with Cortavo Cloud or public cloud archiving, keeping your live files buzzing and your old ones cheap. We set it up, run it 24/7, and lock in ransomware-proof backups—all without the upfront sting. You get SharePoint’s glory, minus the glut.

Boost Your Game with Cortavo’s SharePoint Smarts

SharePoint’s a collab superstar—teamwork, workflows, M365 swagger—but those costs stack up quick, so don’t cram it with yesterday’s junk. Cortavo’s archival options (Cortavo Cloud or beyond) keep your wallet happy and your data safe, letting SharePoint shine where it counts.

Ready to juice up SharePoint without the cash crash? Contact Cortavo for a free consultation. Let’s make your setup sing—cheekily and cheaply.