Five New and Improved Features

5. Expanding Search and Content Management

Forrester's Koplowitz writes that the embedded search function in SharePoint 2010 is superior to previous versions because of "improved scalability, query functionality and index redundancy." In addition, companies that have opted for the high-end SharePoint Enterprise CAL (client access license) will have full access to FAST Search Server 2010, the search technology Microsoft acquired in 2008.

As for managing business content, Microsoft has removed limitations in MOSS 2007's ECM (enterprise content management) feature. For example, lists in SharePoint now support 1 million items, and document libraries can grow to 200 million items.

Shane O'Neill is a senior writer at CIO.com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/smoneill. Follow everything from CIO.com on Twitter at twitter.com/CIOonline.