Fact is, unless you're developing from scratch, there hasn't been a whole lot of help out there in terms of building apps on top of Windows SharePoint Services in order to enhance business.

Until now, that is.

Last week, Microsoft released 30 new application templates that enhance WSS and let you use the platform to solve more problems and meet more needs common to business. And these are out-of-the-box applications, not just starting points, although knowledgeable people could certainly use them as a beginning for something bigger if they like.

This is exactly what we need more of - help extending the platform without having to do it all ourselves. This is the kind of thing that makes SharePoint viable for smaller businesses that can't or don't want to take the time to customize from the ground up.

You can see them all in action, live and for real, at Bil Simser's public SharePoint site (found via Mark Harrison).

Also - for help installing them all, check out Raphael Londner's weblog post.

Here are the new apps, and they are no slouching solutions - these looks to be some solid business templates:

Scenarios Available for Download


Absence and Vacation Schedule


Board of Directors


Case Work Management


Change Management


Classroom Management


Competitive Intelligence


Employee Activities Site


Employee Timesheet and Scheduling


Employee Training


Event Coordination


Expense Reimbursement


Help Desk


HR Programs and Services


IT Developer Team Site


Legal Document Review Workflow


Loan Initiation Management


Marketing Campaigns


Meeting Management


New Product Development


Performance Review


Professional Svcs Contracts


Professional Svcs Site


Project Team Site


Public Official Activity


Public Relations Work Site


Publication Editorial Review


Recruiting Resource Center


Request for Proposal Management


Room and Equipment Reservation


Travel Request