In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, business success hinges on effective communication, collaboration, and data management. Office software suites are pivotal, fueling your team’s productivity and laying the groundwork for growth. Whether you’re a startup with dreams of conquering the market or an established enterprise aiming to stay relevant, choosing a software suite like Microsoft 365 can be a game-changer.
Enter Microsoft 365, a software suite with unique benefits that can transform your business. But is this investment truly worth it? Let’s unravel how Microsoft 365 can reshape your operations, save valuable time, and maximize your financial resources.
Is Microsoft 365 Worth It?
In a word, yes! However, before we dive into the details, it’s essential to distinguish Microsoft 365 from Office 2021.
Office 2021 is a standalone suite of Microsoft Office applications for both Windows and Mac. It involves a one-time upfront payment for a perpetual license.* This license encompasses familiar applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Teams.
In contrast, Microsoft 365 is a comprehensive suite that extends beyond these essential tools. It combines the power of Office apps with cloud storage and advanced security features, making it a complete solution for modern workplaces. Unlike Office 2021’s one-time purchase, Microsoft 365 is offered via subscription and provides free upgrades and customer support.
*Note: Support for Office 2021 is set to expire in October 2026.
Microsoft 365’s components include:
- Office Apps. A Microsoft 365 subscription includes the familiar Office applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. These apps are essential for document creation, data analysis, and presentations.
- Cloud Services. The cloud services in Microsoft 365, including OneDrive and SharePoint, facilitate seamless data storage and sharing. You can access your files from anywhere, promoting flexibility and remote work.
- Security Features. Security is a top priority in today’s digital landscape. Microsoft 365 offers advanced security features, ensuring your data is protected from cyber threats and unauthorized access.
Master Microsoft 365 with these productivity tips.
Exploring Microsoft 365’s Business Benefits
Let’s discuss how Microsoft 365 can boost your business in five key areas:
- Availability
- Collaboration
- Automatic updates
- Abundant storage
- Reduced travel costs
1. AVAILABILITY: Work from anywhere, anytime
Instead of accessing Microsoft apps on one designated computer, you can download them to multiple devices or use them on any web browser. Users can sync Microsoft 365 applications with up to five devices, including desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets.
This gives your team the option to check emails, attend video conferences or work on projects from their desk, home, car or favorite coffee shop.
2. COLLABORATION: Unleash your team’s potential
Microsoft 365 gives your team multiple avenues to plan, create, and communicate without being in the same room.
- Plan projects with shared calendars, task lists, and other tools
- Connect and create with SharePoint’s co-authoring, which allows multiple users to edit one document simultaneously and view changes in real-time.
- Viva Engage (formerly Yammer) unites teams socially by posting updates, polls, images, and more.
- Skype for Business allows teams to chat with each other, conduct video conferences and share their screen. This makes it easy to work on projects from different computers, offices, or states.
Office 365 supports team mobility, so it doesn’t matter if your team members work from the web, desktop, or mobility device. All applications are compatible with each platform, and since documents are saved in the cloud, they are automatically updated to the newest version and available from any device.
3. AUTOMATIC UPDATES: Get the latest features effortlessly
In a world of ever-evolving technology, staying up to date can be a challenge. Often, you purchase the latest phone or laptop only to find it outdated within months. However, when it comes to Microsoft 365, this concern is alleviated.
Microsoft 365 Apps automatically fetches updates from the internet and installs them in the background, requiring no action from users or administrators. However, you can modify these settings to customize update behavior and make other adjustments related to how Microsoft 365 Apps receive updates.
4. ABUNDANT STORAGE: Your data, your terms
For business users, Microsoft 365 presents a wealth of storage options. Each user is allocated 50 GB of mailbox storage and a generous 1 TB of personal file storage. To put this in perspective, it’s equivalent to 500 hours of movies, 200,000 photos or 17,000 hours of music.
With the power of OneDrive, your files, emails, and projects are available 24/7/365. This means you can meet your deadlines seamlessly, regardless of the time or location.
Moreover, all data is encrypted and securely stored on Microsoft’s robust servers, bolstered by advanced threat management and continuous security monitoring. As a result, the need for physical onsite servers becomes a thing of the past. Your business data is not only protected but also highly accessible in the digital realm.
5. REDUCED TRAVEL COSTS: More meetings, less travel
Meetings play a crucial role in business, providing a platform for teams to strategize, exchange information, and generate ideas. However, with tools like Skype for Business included in your Microsoft 365 subscription, your team can engage in video calls that bring everyone together, transcending geographical boundaries.
Unnecessary and unproductive meetings incur substantial business costs, estimated at $101 million annually, for organizations with 5,000 or more employees. By leveraging Microsoft 365 tools, employees can swiftly communicate via Skype or collaboratively edit documents from the comfort of their own offices.
This significantly reduces the number of meetings that employees are required to attend, optimizing both time and resources.
PARTNER WITH HELIXSTORM FOR MICROSOFT 365 IMPLEMENTATION
Microsoft 365 isn’t just a software suite; it’s a game-changer for modern businesses. Whether connecting your email, calendar, and documents or ensuring secure collaboration with your team, Microsoft 365 streamlines your operations.
The unified experience it offers fosters greater efficiency, as you can seamlessly transition between tasks, making multitasking a breeze. Moreover, its compatibility with both Windows and Mac operating systems ensures that you can harness the full power of Microsoft 365 no matter what your device is.
With Helixstorm as your migration partner, you can make the most of this incredible suite of applications and services.
Ready to unlock your team’s full potential and boost your bottom line? Contact Helixstorm today and discover how Microsoft 365 can transform your business operations.
