SharePoint content is contained in customs lists or as meta data around documents or forms. This data is essentially bound to a site structure of HTML pages created in SharePoint. This binding of data and structure presents SharePoint users with many positives but it can also be the cause of some considerable pain. It is only when we can see all the data in one location can one process it and convert data into usable information.

QWS can aggregate and rollup of SharePoint data accross sites, site collections, web applications as long as they all use the same configuration database.

Why data aggregation is important?

As any SharePoint implementation reaches only a modest level of complexity the site structure evolves into discrete islands or chucks of information. Successful share point implementations take on almost a viral characteristic and over time these islands grow in number, size and distance between them. Managing them is challenging, controlling them can be a headache, leveraging them for a positive business outcome almost impossible. As data is stored in a structure of HTML pages viewing or forming a complete picture of the data requires a user to navigate the structures before he can see all data. The ability to view and manage information beyond the site the user is located is not simply possible in out of the box SP. Remember data and structure are linked in SharePoint. For a user to build up a complete view of all data then one needs to visit all the appropriate structures. This assumes the user knows where to go and is willing to make the journey.

Turn raw data and content into valuable information
Accessing a complete set of data is one thing, being able to interrupt and process is it is another. It is only when we can see all the data and can process it can we convert data into information. Data alone is valueless. Information is knowledge and supports better decision, organizational control, agility and value creation.

Some of the specific issues with “Out of the Box” SharePoint are as follows….

1. It requires users to visit all data locations to obtain a complete picture. Making assessments with only incomplete data can result in flawed decision making!
2. The location of data is not obvious in SharePoint, this means that data is disaggregated or scattered amongst many or possibly hundreds of sites.
3. Data is only held in its most granular form with no summaries or simple management views.