Microsoft Application Templates for SharePoint(Site templates and site definitions)

Microsoft has released a number of “application templates” for WSS (yes that means they work for MOSS too). I know they are pretty darn old, but that does not mean everyone has heard of them. I thought I would spread the word a bit. I never noticed them.

These templates are divided into 2 groups:
Simple site templates (.stp files) and site definitions (.wsp).
Microsoft calls the site templates for “site admin templates” and that refers to the level of permissions you need to install them. You don’t need server admin permissions for these. They are simply added via GUI in SharePoint.

Site definitions are called “Server admin templates” and you need to be a server admin for these, since it involves using stsadm in console on the SharePoint server.

List of templates below.

Site Templates (.stp):

Board of Directors
Business Performance Reporting
Case Management for Government Agencies
Classroom Management
Clinical Trial Initiation and Management
Competitive Analysis Site
Discussion Database
Disputed Invoice Management
Employee Activities Site
Employee Self-Service Benefits
Employee Training Scheduling and Materials
Equity Research
Integrated Marketing Campaign Tracking
Manufacturing Process Management
New Store Opening
Product and Marketing Requirements Planning
Request for Proposal
Sports League
Team Work Site
Timecard Management

Server Admin Templates (.wsp):

Absence Request and Vacation Schedule Management
Budgeting and Tracking Multiple Projects
Bug Database
Call Center
Change Request Management
Compliance Process Support Site
Contacts Management
Document Library and Review
Event Planning
Expense Reimbursement and Approval
Help Desk
Inventory Tracking
IT Team Workspace
Job Requisition and Interview Management
Knowledge Base
Lending Library
Physical Asset Tracking and Management
Project Tracking Workspace
Room and Equipment Reservations
Sales Lead Pipeline

You can find them here.

You can also find detailed instructions on how to install them here.

Even if you need something else than this for your project, it might well be worth to visit especially the site templates (Server Admin Templates), and see if you can’t use something from them.

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3. Site Pages vs Application Pages Explained & Customized vs Uncustomized
4. Quick intro to creating custom SharePoint (MOSS, WSS) site themes
5. Missing websites in the SharePoint flyout menus for everyone but the site collection owner