Tuesday, March 17, 2026 6 min read Microsoft
Is SharePoint Still Relevant in 2026? A Reality Check for Modern Businesses
Discover why SharePoint Online and Server remain essential, and how an IT partner in Australia can help build your modern digital workplace.
Is SharePoint Dead? Is Microsoft Retiring SharePoint?
No. SharePoint is NOT being retired.
Let’s clear this up.
Last 21 October 2025, Microsoft published an announcement of retiring their Office Online Server(OOS) and older SharePoint technologies.
Not SharePoint itself.
SharePoint Online is part of Microsoft 365, and remains to be fully supported, and actively continues to evolve as Microsoft’s cloud-first collaboration platform. Microsoft is investing heavily in SharePoint through ongoing enhancements in AI, Copilot, automation, and security, reinforcing its role as a core pillar of the modern digital workplace.
Microsoft also has mentioned that they have no plans to retire SharePoint Server Subscription Edition. With support committed through at least 2035, SharePoint Server remains a viable and supported option for organisations that require on-premises solutions due to regulatory, security, or operational requirements.
So, What IS Being Retired?
The confusion comes from the retirement of Office Online Server (OOS) and legacy SharePoint components.
Microsoft’s announced that they will be retiring their Office Online Server (OOS) on 31 December 2026. After that, there will be no security updates, bug fixes, or support for OSS.
How does this impact SharePoint On-Prem?
Browser-based document viewing and editing via OOS will no longer be supported. SharePoint itself remains supported, just not the OOS integration.
So, if you’re currently using SharePoint on-prem with OOS, now is the time to plan a transition before December 2026.
How SharePoint Has Evolved Within Microsoft 365
SharePoint has evolved from its early days as a legacy on-premises document management system into a cloud-first service that plays a central role in Microsoft 365. In the current version of SharePoint, it no longer used in isolation but operates as the foundation for content, knowledge and collaboration across the modern workplace. This allows organisations to move away from rigid infrastructure and toward flexible, scalable cloud services.
Within Microsoft 365, SharePoint Online underpins many of the tool’s employees use every day, including Teams, OneDrive, and Microsoft Search.
Every Team created in Microsoft Teams relies on a SharePoint site to manage files, permissions, and governance, making SharePoint a critical component rather than an optional add-on. This deep integration ensures consistent security, compliance, and content management across the digital workplace.
As Microsoft continues to invest in automation, AI, and Copilot-driven experiences, modern SharePoint has become more intelligent and user-friendly. These advancements reinforce SharePoint’s long-term relevance and position it as a strategic platform for organisations building a future-ready digital workplace.
Read more on how to use Copilot for work.
What Role Does SharePoint Play in the Modern Digital Workplace?
In the modern digital workplace, SharePoint serves as the structured backbone of the organisation — enabling secure collaboration at a large scale.
While chat-based tools facilitate day-to-day communication, SharePoint Online provides governance, document control, and knowledge management capabilities that businesses rely on for long-term information retention and compliance.
A common misconception is that Microsoft Teams replaces SharePoint, but in reality, the two platforms are designed to work together. Teams acts as the collaboration interface, while SharePoint manages the underlying content, permissions, and metadata. This partnership allows organisations to combine real-time collaboration with structured content management, creating a more effective digital workplace experience.
SharePoint plays a critical role in enterprise knowledge management. It enables organisations to organise information logically, apply governance policies, and ensure that employees can easily find trusted content.
For businesses working with an IT partner for digital workplace platforms, SharePoint often becomes the central hub that connects people, processes, and information.
Is SharePoint Still the Best Platform for a Modern Intranet in 2026?
For most organisations, SharePoint remains one of the strongest options for building a modern intranet in 2026. Its tight integration with Microsoft 365 allows businesses to deliver personalised, role-based content while maintaining enterprise-grade security and compliance. This makes SharePoint especially appealing for organisations already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem.
A SharePoint intranet is no longer just a static information portal. When combined with third-party software vendors, such as Powell Software, not only can it be customised and branding, but it also becomes an employee experience platform that supports communication, engagement, and knowledge sharing. Employees can access company news, policies, resources, and conversations from a single, familiar interface.
Read more on how Powell Software’s Powell Intranet enhances SharePoint.
Unlike many third-party intranet solutions, SharePoint continues to evolve alongside Microsoft 365. This ongoing development ensures long-term viability and reduces the risk of platform stagnation, making SharePoint a reliable choice for organisations planning their intranet strategy beyond 2026.
Build Your SharePoint Intranet with MYtech, Your IT Partner for Digital Workplace Platforms
Whether your organisation is just getting started with SharePoint or planning a full-scale modern intranet, having the right guidance can make all the difference.
MYtech Consulting Services is not only an IT service provider in Australia but also a Microsoft Solutions Partner. We help businesses across Australia with software development, digital workplace transformation, and implement Microsoft and SharePoint successfully to align with your business’s unique goals and workflows.
We provide end-to-end solutions, from designing a scalable intranet architecture to integrating with Microsoft 365, Teams, and Powell Software. Our team ensures your SharePoint deployment maximises collaboration, knowledge management, and employee experience. Even if your internal IT team is capable, working with a certified IT service provider in Australia, with a proven track record, like MYtech, brings strategic insight, reduces risk, and accelerates adoption across your organisation.
Final Verdict — Is SharePoint Worth Investing in for 2026?
The answer is clear: SharePoint is not going away. The platform remains central to Microsoft’s long-term Microsoft 365 strategy, with SharePoint Online continuing to receive significant investment and innovation. For organisations using on-premises solutions, SharePoint Server Subscription Edition is supported through at least 2035, providing a stable path forward.
What is being phased out are older technologies, such as Office Online Server and legacy SharePoint components like 2013 workflows and add-ins. These changes reflect Microsoft’s move toward a modern, cloud-first approach—not the retirement of SharePoint itself.
For businesses planning their digital workplace future, SharePoint offers long-term strategic value when implemented correctly. With the right approach and support from a trusted Microsoft partner, SharePoint remains a powerful, future-ready platform well beyond 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Microsoft retiring SharePoint?
No. SharePoint Online remains a core component of Microsoft 365, and SharePoint Server Subscription Edition is supported through at least 2035. The only retirement affecting organisations is Office Online Server—not SharePoint itself.
How is SharePoint used in modern workplaces today?
SharePoint underpins Teams, OneDrive, document management, knowledge hubs, and communication sites. It serves as the structured backbone of content, permissions, workflows, and governance—making it essential for hybrid and digital workplaces.
Should organisations still invest in SharePoint for intranets?
Absolutely. SharePoint remains one of the most scalable, secure, and integrated intranet platforms, especially when combined with third-party solutions like Powell Intranet. Its continuous evolution with AI and Copilot ensures long-term relevance.
Related Article: Why and How to Use SharePoint as Intranet
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