Microsoft has recently announced SharePoint Embedded, a new way to embed SharePoint into apps for enterprises and independent software vendors (ISVs). SharePoint Embedded is a new platform designed for use by both first-party Microsoft products and third-party apps created by any developer. We explain more about this recent development in this article.
About SharePoint Embedded
SharePoint Embedded is a new API-only cloud-based file and document management system that can be used by app developers to make use of the Microsoft 365 file and document storage platform for any app. Microsoft says the platform is designed for use by both first-party Microsoft products and third-party apps created by any developer. Two of Microsoft’s recent apps, Microsoft Loop and Microsoft Designer, are both powered by SharePoint Embedded.
How it works
Built on the same stack as SharePoint and OneDrive, SharePoint Embedded is highly scalable and designed for hyperscale use cases.
It accelerates your content management roadmap by enabling new capabilities for custom content apps including the ability to:
- Extend advanced Microsoft 365 security and compliance to your app, such as audit, eDiscovery, Bring Your Own Key and more.
- Leverage Microsoft 365 business continuity capabilities such as autoscaling, high availability, Microsoft 365 Backup, Microsoft 365 Archive, and disaster recovery.
- Deliver Microsoft 365 collaboration to your customers, users, and guest users as part of your app, such as coauthoring in Word or PowerPoint.
- Embed Microsoft’s trusted content management capabilities in your app, such as search, content preview, and version tracking.
- Craft a custom user experience that puts your app in complete control of security, lifecycle, and management.
- Harness the power of SharePoint Premium (e.g. document processing, eSignature, content assembly) in your app.
- Add your content to search and the Microsoft 365 semantic index – the technology powering Copilot for Microsoft 365.
SharePoint Embedded introduces containers that offer a highly scalable approach to managing content. Containers also enable a rich information and security architecture to meet the needs of the most demanding modern apps.
Who can use SharePoint Embedded?
As stated by Microsoft, SharePoint Embedded is “fully integrated with the Microsoft 365 Admin Center and Microsoft Purview, allowing administrators to use familiar tools to manage content lifecycle, security, and compliance.”
Everyone can use it; any app or tech platform can now be fully integrated with SharePoint Embedded. While SharePoint Embedded is currently at the preview stage, Microsoft is planning to release it at the general availability, commercial-release stage in mid-2024. Microsoft is planning to offer it under “pay-as-you-go consumption terms,” which means that organisations would pay for storage, data transfers and the amount of API calls, without the need for additional user licenses.
If you’d like to know more about SharePoint Embedded or you’re looking for custom app solutions, contact our team who can help.
