Chapter14.Using SharePoint Technologies for Storage, Indexing, and Centralized Information Access

Chapter 14. Using SharePoint Technologies for Storage, Indexing, and Centralized Information Access

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Using Document Libraries for Managing Content

• Using Areas to Organize Information

• Using Content Sources to Include Information in Search Results

• Facilitating Search with Content Indexes

• Utilizing Search Scopes for Content Searching

• Using Keywords and Best Bets to Mark Relevant Items

• Locating Information Using SharePoint Portal Server 2003 Search

• Differences Between Windows SharePoint Services Search and Portal Sites Directory Search

• Common Issues and Explanation and/or Resolution

Improvements in technology over the past decade have made an overwhelming amount of information available to the typical organization. Although it's great to have so much data electronically available, sometimes users spend an inordinate amount of time trying to find what they need. Or, a user might not even attempt a search because the information is not organized or presented in a format that lends itself to search.

The task of organizing, managing, and making information available to users is made much simpler through the use of SharePoint technologies. This chapter focuses on SharePoint features that can be used for information storage, indexing, look-up, and centralized access of information, both internal to the organization and from external sources.

The majority of the information in this chapter relates to SharePoint Portal Server 2003 as opposed to Windows SharePoint Services. SharePoint Portal Server 2003 is designed as the application for managing, indexing, and searching content within the SharePoint infrastructure as well as content external to SharePoint. The features of Windows SharePoint Services in a standalone mode are limited to individual sites with regard to search and access to external information. Features available within Windows SharePoint Services are noted as applicable.