Get to know Microsoft Office 365

Introduction

There are many cloud-based applications out there that cater to a small business need, however, only a few select are user-friendly, such as Microsoft 365. This software has the potential to set up a modern functioning enterprise with reduced cost. Office 365 provides users with the basic productivity applications necessary to get work done in the modern enterprise. It includes amenities that are crucial for efficient productivity such as email. Teams (collaborating workspace chat and video conferencing, file storage, and application integration), Word, PowerPoint and more in one platform. As such, most of these features can be accessed through any smartphone such as Apple or Android. In addition, Office 365 also provides web-based access for a more detailed. However, the most enticing feature of Office365 must be its capability to be accessed from any location which in turn produces a more productive work environment.

How can Office 365 help your business grow?

Productivity tools can help everyone in an organization communicate more effectively, be more productive and get more done. This Office 365 can reduce time spent on tasks such as knowledge sharing, processing data, and finding information (among other tasks) leading to a more innovative and creative business.

Products such as Outlook are a powerful, professional-looking platform through which businesses can market their services. Its extensive calendaring features can also help companies better work together and manage their time.

All apps on the Office 365 suite and services are connected, both to each other and to the wider web, enabling teamwork and saving employees time through tools such as team chat, online meetings, co-authoring and sharing files, and group emails. The addition of cloud storage and mobile apps in the Office 365 suite lets organizations work wherever, whenever, with secure access to content, conversations, tasks, and schedules from any device.

When your team can work more collaboratively without any sort of IT-related setbacks, it will make them more efficient and productive especially if they are working from home. When most companies think of Microsoft, many individuals and businesses are already familiar with it making it much easier for your team to adapt to the Business version. In fact, if you purchase Office 365 through us, we can help train staff and offer support making it a much easier transition. Applications like SharePoint were designed to be accessed from anywhere in a safe and secure way improving work collaboration.

Exactly what's included in Office 365 for Business depends on which subscription level the user opts for, but the core apps and services available through Office 365 include:

• Word
• Excel
• PowerPoint
• Outlook
• OneNote
• Publisher
• Exchange - Exchange online is your on-prem email server taken to the cloud. Your emails are hosted in the cloud for a monthly fee.
• SharePoint - This is Microsoft's cloud storage and collaboration tool for businesses. SharePoint Online provides cloud storage with data protection, sharing, and co-authoring capabilities.
• Skype for Business
• Microsoft Teams- Teams is more than just a video conferencing, chat, voice, and video call tool, it is a collaboration platform that provides added layers of features (like persistent chat), boosting communication and workflow among teammates.
• OneDrive for Business

Some Office 365 applications also have mobile versions to help businesses do more on the go, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive for Business, Skype for Business, Yammer, and OneNote. Office 365 subscriptions also include 1 TB of OneDrive for Business cloud storage for each user.

Is Office 365 safe?

With more than 200 million monthly active users, Office 365 is a marketing leader for small businesses when it comes to their IT. It defends against cybercriminals who seek to exploit the security gaps in your business. Did you know that 90% of data security breaches start with email, which can cause financial and business disruption? This means that the risks are real, and the consequences are dire, thus, having a multi-layered approach when it comes to securing your email is critical.

Microsoft offers some of the most secure data centers available in North America, with a vast array of compliance checks and security-based procedures designed to keep customer data exactly where it is supposed to be. Office 365 Security and Protection can stop threats at your weakest entry point. You'll have peace of mind knowing that your employees can stay online, productive, and safe.

However, one thing to point out is that if your Office 365 is not set up appropriately, your data can still be open to digital threats. Even though Office 365 is very user-friendly, it has many capabilities that the average person who does not have an IT background may not be able to unlock. Hiring an external IT company to set it up will set it up by helping you implement, migrate, and manage your data on a regular basis. Purchasing Office 365 through us means you will get:

• Peace of mind that industry and government best practices are being followed
• Time with an ITW Security Expert to review your Microsoft Security Score on a regular basis
• Ongoing security policy tuning based on Microsoft and ITW recommendations
• Realtime reporting and visibility
• Complete managed service that includes automatic updates, security patches, on-demand, and unlimited support
• Set up the cloud-based applications and data storage
• Daily monitoring of your network
• Implement anytime, anywhere access to files so users can complete tasks anywhere (access office applications on the web, even if they lost their computer and were on a new or library computer)
• Integrate features that make it easier to schedule meetings, assign tasks, and update documents

Benefits of Office 365

Still not convinced about Office 365, here are five advantages as to why this platform will transform your business operates.

1. Subscription-Based Model for Scalable Business Growth Office 365 gives you enhanced flexibility and can quickly scale your business as it grows. First, there is the flexibility to mix ad match applications which helps create your own custom solution to meet each user's needs. This is a great feature because as employees leave the company, you can stop paying for that user. However, when the new employee is hired, you can add a new account without having to change the entire system. This concept of not making a permanent commitment to a software license for each employee gives your business the ability to scale cost-effectively and efficiently.
2. Ability to work remotely effortlessly one of the biggest benefits of Office 365 is that it allows users to work from anywhere if they are connected to the internet. This is possible because Office 365 is entirely hosted on the cloud, such as, emails, files, and popular Office programs (such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) can be accessed from any location and any device. This is especially beneficial for companies with a lot of employees who work remotely or travel often.
3. Streamlined Business Collaboration Since Office 365 is a subscription-based service that uses online connectivity features, its collaboration features are designed with remote workers in mind. For example, with Office 365 Business Premium, your employees will be able to utilize Microsoft Teams, Microsoft's all-in-one collaboration hub. Your team will be able to work on and edit online documents simultaneously, share notes and go over edits in-real time, and join audio or video conferences to discuss changes or give approvals-even when all the team members involved aren't physically together.
4. Reduced Software Expenses One of the biggest advantages of Office 365 is that it can help your business save big on software expenses. As a subscription-based software, you only need to pay for the software you're using. Since not every employee will need the same tier of software based on their job role or security clearance, you can mix, and match plans as needed.
5. File Storage and Sharing Capabilities Another major benefit of Office 365 for Business is its file storage and sharing capabilities. With OneDrive, you'll be able to access all your files no matter what device you're logged into, whether it's a Windows, Mac, or mobile device. You'll also be able to securely share files both inside and outside your organization, meaning coworkers, customers, and clients alike will be able to access the information they need to keep business moving along.Then, with SharePoint, you can share and manage documents, files, and applications through secure portals to enhance teamwork and collaboration. Whether two remote employees are working together on a project or you're sending content back and forth with a client for edits and approvals, SharePoint through Office 365 makes it simple.

Conclusion

Office 365 is great for many small to medium businesses because its core is centred around efficiency. Office 365 capabilities allow for better collaboration, communication, and creation in a way that is seamless. Having access to tools that enhance productivity and enables employees to do their job easier, from anywhere. With everything that is happening in the world, having a reliable platform to work on remotely is crucial.

If you are looking for a reliable, productive, and efficient platform, Office 365 is a great start for small businesses because of its subscription model, you only pay for the employees who will use it. Get in touch with us for a free consultation to learn what the best option is for you.