SharePoint Online is a cloud-based collaboration and content management platform offered as part of the Microsoft 365 suite. It is designed to help organizations store, organize, share, and access information from anywhere and any internet-connected device. Unlike SharePoint Server, which is installed on local servers, SharePoint Online is a cloud-managed service, meaning Microsoft handles its administration, maintenance, and security.

Key Features of SharePoint Online:

Centralized Storage: SharePoint Online allows the creation of document libraries where teams can centrally store files. This ensures that information is accessible to all organization members based on the established permissions.

Document Versioning: SharePoint Online maintains a version history of documents, enabling users to view, restore, or compare previous versions.

Real-Time Co-Authoring: Supports simultaneous editing of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents, enhancing team collaboration without the need to send files via email.

Permission and Access Control: Administrators can define who has access to specific documents or libraries and what actions they can perform (view, edit, delete, etc.).

Integration with Office: SharePoint Online seamlessly integrates with Microsoft 365 applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, allowing users to work directly on documents stored in SharePoint without leaving the application.

Communication Sites: Designed for sharing information on a large scale within an organization, such as news, announcements, or reports. Their structure is optimized for displaying static content and communicating information to a broad audience.

Team Sites: These sites focus on collaboration within projects and teams. They provide dedicated spaces for team members to work together on documents, tasks, and projects. Team sites can also integrate with tools like Microsoft Teams to enhance collaboration.