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    Contract Management vs. SharePoint

    SharePoint is an excellent document archive. Managing contract deadlines is something else entirely.

    Updated: 4 March 2026

    What SharePoint does well

    Central storage with access control

    Everyone works from the same environment, permissions are configurable per folder, and it integrates well with the rest of Microsoft 365.

    Searchable archive

    With the right folder structure and naming conventions, you can find contracts. Better than loose files on individual laptops.

    Already included in Microsoft 365

    If your organisation already uses Microsoft 365, SharePoint is available at no extra cost.

    But here's what it lacks

    SharePoint has no deadline engine

    You can set document alerts, but those fire when something is modified in a folder, not when a notice period expires. Those are two very different things.

    No AI scanning for completeness

    SharePoint stores what you upload. It doesn't check whether the annex is attached, whether the indexation clause is correct, or whether a data processing agreement is missing.

    Requires manual discipline

    The structure only works if everyone follows the naming convention, uses the right folder, and fills in metadata fields. In practice, they don't.

    IT dependency

    A well-configured SharePoint requires an IT administrator or consultant. For SMBs, that's a barrier, and contracts end up without an owner anyway.

    Tracking Contracts vs. SharePoint

    FeatureTracking ContractsSharePoint
    Deadline reminders on notice periodsYesNo, document change alerts only
    AI data extraction from PDFYes, max. 90 sec.No
    Visual AI compliance checkYesNo
    Digital signingYes, fully integratedLimited, via external add-on
    Contract hierarchy (master/sub-contracts)YesNo
    Supplier data via company registry APIInstantManual
    Vendor performance ratingYesNo
    Operational without IT setupTodayLimited, requires configuration

    How it goes wrong

    You set up a folder structure in SharePoint: 'Suppliers > Cleaning > Contracts'. You upload the contract and set a document alert. Six months later you get a notification that someone uploaded a new version of the contract. Not that the notice period expires in six weeks. That date is inside the document itself. Nobody looked.

    Everything SharePoint misses, included as standard

    Tracking Contracts does what SharePoint cannot: monitor deadlines, run AI completeness checks, and send automatic reminders, even when you're not thinking about it. No IT project, no consultant. Operational today.

    Frequently asked questions

    Can I bring my existing SharePoint contracts over?+
    Yes. Download the PDFs from SharePoint and upload them to Tracking Contracts. The AI automatically extracts key data: duration, notice period, supplier. No manual entry needed.
    Do we have to give up SharePoint?+
    Not necessarily. Some customers keep SharePoint as a backup archive alongside Tracking Contracts. Tracking Contracts is the working system with deadlines and AI. SharePoint becomes just an extra copy.
    Is there a Microsoft 365 integration?+
    Not currently. Tracking Contracts works as a standalone system. For most SMBs, the PDF AI import is enough to get fully operational quickly.

    Other comparisons

    Alternative

    vs. Excel

    Excel lacks automatic deadline alerts, AI checks, and contract ownership. See why Dutch SMBs switch to Tracking Contracts. Honest comparison.

    Alternative

    vs. Outlook

    Contracts in Outlook: no ownership, no deadline alerts, no structure. Compare with Tracking Contracts for organised contract management.

    Alternative

    vs. Google Drive

    Google Drive stores files but doesn't track notice periods, run AI checks, or manage contract ownership. Compare with Tracking Contracts.

    Experience the difference yourself

    Tracking Contracts goes live in 5 minutes, no IT project. First month free, cancel with 1 click.