The Differences in eRoom and Sharepoint
Although SharePoint is widely used, it has competitors. ERoom, for example, offers a comparable solution for streamlining collaboration. While eRoom and SharePoint have similar purposes, the differences between the two products are quite distinct.
Overview
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EMC offers two versions of eRoom: Documentum eRoom and eRoom.net. Documentum eRoom is the licensed software version of the collaboration product, while eRoom.net is the hosted solution. ERoom can run on Windows, Macintosh and Linux-based systems for up to 500 users. Microsoft's SharePoint software can also be installed locally or hosted remotely. As a Microsoft product, SharePoint is only compatible with Windows-based machines and servers. SharePoint offers three versions: Foundation, Standard and Enterprise. SharePoint can support thousands of users.
Scope
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ERoom is designed specifically for medium sized businesses in need of a collaboration tool. ERoom's "rooms" give employees and customers a Web-based space to meet, work on documents, manage projects, or to share calendars, reports and ideas. SharePoint also gives businesses a collaborative workspace, but with more features and capabilities. For example, SharePoint can serve as an Internet, intranet or extranet, as well as a content management system.
IT Resources
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ERoom requires no IT support or resources beyond the initial set up. Once installed, eRoom can be run and managed by the members of the project team. To make the process more simple, eRoom includes templates that can be implemented out of the box, or customized by the project team. SharePoint is a more complex product. You will need IT to build, execute and maintain SharePoint. End users and individual content managers can maneuver around SharePoint and make tweaks and updates, but customization requires knowledge of SharePoint Designer and HTML.
Social Networking
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SharePoint encourages collaboration through expanded social networking features not found in eRoom. SharePoint supports blogs, wikis, RSS feeds and discussion boards. Each SharePoint user can access a "MySite" where he can store personal documents and photos, add content to a blog, and add information about his expertise and interests to share with other users. While eRoom gives users an avenue for meeting, sharing ideas and communicating, it falls behind SharePoint in its social aspect.
References
Writer Bio
Based in Omaha, Neb., Amy Adkins has been a professional writer and editor since 2001. She writes primarily on the topic of health and health care and has experience in marketing communications, public relations, corporate communication and technical writing. She received her Master of Arts degree in communication from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.