Using Groove to access SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint is a web-based collaboration tool. Like Groove it allows users to share information, documents, calendars, tasks, etc. However, while Groove files reside on the indviduals' desktop machines, in SharePoint, files reside on a server. Visit the website http://sharepoint.vanderbilt.edu/ for more details if you are not currently using SharePoint.

You may use Groove as a thick client for Sharepoint as opposed to using the web interface. If you are a current Groove user, it enables you to work with SharePoint documents in an environment with which you are familiar. Also, it allows you to share workspace content with participants outside Vanderbilt's domain, which you can't do in SharePoint.

Setting up a Groove Workspace to synchronize with a SharePoint site

1. In the Launchbar, click New Workspace.
2. Specify the Name of the Workspace; check Standard; click OK.
3. Once the workspace is created, click the drop-down arrow at the far right of the tool-tab panel to Add a tool to this workspace.
4. Select SharePoint Files as the tool.
5. Click the Setup button.
6. You will be prompted to login to your SharePoint site.
7. Select the desired folder at the site.
8. All documents will be downloaded to the SharePoint Files Tool. (See the additional tool tab.)
9. Before editing a document, right-click on the filename and select Check Out from SharePoint to insure that no one else can edit the file while you are making changes.
10. When editing is completed, save the changes to the document, and back to the Groove workspace when prompted.
11. Click on the Synchronize Now button in the lower right to upload your changes to the SharePoint site. This synchronizes all additions, deletions, and edits between your Groove workspace and your SharePoint site.
12. Finally, right-click the document filename, and select Check In to SharePoint to release the document for editing by others.

View instructions in PDF format with screen shots.