The basic answer to this question, is any solution that you can install on SharePoint without having to touch the server. These types of solutions are most often called “Client Side” or “Assembly Free” solutions, and are typically developed using the following tools and technologies:
- SharePoint Designer
- Javascript
- HTML/CSS/Masterpages
- Silverlight
- SharePoint Web Srevices
While this does only cover a small number of solutions, we see this growing very quickly on the back of the adoption of cloud based SharePoint services. These technologies and tool combined means you can develop a range of solutions, with Sharevolution supporting the following:
1) Site Templates
If you can package it up, and send it to people in a .STP file, then its ready to go into the store. Site Templates are one of the most powerful types of solution we host, and when combined with the use of Javascript and the SharePoint Web Services, some very cool things are possible.
2) Web Parts
There are a large number of solutions like this already out there. These are basically Content Editor or Data Form Web Parts, that have been customised to do a particular job and then exported to a .dwp or .webpart file. If your solution works like this, then it’s ready for our store.
3) Themes
We think this area has huge potential. Other content management solution have marketplaces full of creative new themes, yet SharePoint has none. We have a simple way of packaging up Masterpages, CSS and Images so that they can be easily deployed and activated. Of course it’s not just about the colours, with the use of JQuery and other technologies the entire SharePoint User Interface can be made better.
4) List Templates
The main thing we think of when we think of list templates, is sharing preconfigures lists with lots of data. For example, you might offer a list containing all the countries of the world or all the states in America. People can then reuse these, for example as lookups from other lists, saving them lots of time.
5) Silverlight Web Parts
Silverlight can do some things that is very difficult to do otherwise. We have a way of packaging up your Silverlight web parts so that its easy for people to deploy into their team sites.
That covers the main categories of solutions, we are only just starting to see what is possible with technologies like these. We are also at the beginning of Sharevolution, overtime we will be talking to publishers, and End Users, to understand what they want to see in the store. This might include adding support for solutions that do require you to install on the server, but we are going to take a wait and see approach to that.