File server or SharePoint?
They're different tools that happen to both hold files. Choose per workload, not per trend.
The Honest Answer
Sometimes, partly, and almost never all at once. Most estates land on hybrid - and that's usually the right call.
Start With A Free Review
Thirty minutes with our Tech Team to map each workload to the right home.
250 GB
Per File
SharePoint's upload limit. Big media and CAD sets hit it fast.
400
Characters
Maximum full path length. Twenty-year-old shares rarely comply.
1 TB+
Included
Pooled storage in Microsoft 365, plus 10 GB per licensed user.
Where Each Wins
One is built for applications. The other for people.
A file server gives software a drive, real locking and LAN speed. SharePoint gives people co-authoring, access from anywhere and compliance built in. Neither is legacy.
Keep It On The Server.
CAD/BIM, Sage, Access and scan-to-folder - anything an application opens directly, or files too large and deep for SharePoint's limits.
Move It To SharePoint.
Office documents people edit together, files partners need without a VPN, and anything under retention, DLP or legal hold.
Security Shifts, Not Solves.
Versioning blunts ransomware, but identity and sharing sprawl move onto your plate. MFA and link governance become the job.
"SharePoint is not a backup. Microsoft's shared-responsibility model leaves data protection with you - whichever platform you choose."
Addooco Tech Team
The 5-Question Test
Run every workload through five questions.
01 - Co-Authored Office Docs?
SharePoint, no debate.
02 - Huge, Or App-Opened?
File server. Locking and latency rule.
03 - Needed Off-Network?
Points to SharePoint, with MFA.
04 - Retention Or Legal Hold?
SharePoint plus Purview does it natively.
05 - Predictable Cost Matters Most?
A right-sized file server can be the calmer answer.
Before You Migrate
Audit first. Migrate second.
01
Find the dead data. Most shares are 60-80% stale. Don't pay to move it.
02
Redesign permissions. NTFS ACLs don't map one-to-one. Build sites, don't copy trees.
03
Find what will break. Linked spreadsheets, LOB data and long paths - before Monday morning does.
Next Step
Free file storage review.
Thirty minutes with our Tech Team. We'll give you a per-workload recommendation - including "keep the server" where that's the honest answer.
What You Get On The Call
A plain-English read on each workload.
The migration traps specific to your estate.
A clear view of cost - server, SharePoint or hybrid.