Once upon a time, you could go down to a computer store and pick up the latest version of any Microsoft software you liked on a disk. But these days you needn’t take all that trouble. Just buy online and download Microsoft 365 cloud-based software as a service.
Microsoft 365 takes the benefits of Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, One Note, and Publisher to a new collaborative level, unlike anything you have experienced before. Many small, medium and large businesses have already bought into Microsoft 365 and have successfully made their workplaces more productive and efficient.
But before you decide on downloading, it’ll be worth your while to learn more about what Microsoft 365 can and can’t do, as well as take a look at how it can mesh with the needs of small, medium and large businesses and enterprises.
Microsoft 365 is a complete, intelligent cloud solution, that combines the flexibility and the power of a diverse range of productivity-enhancing application programming interfaces.
Depending on the plan you choose, your subscription includes Office 365, Windows 10, and Enterprise Mobility + Security as well as business apps like SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, Yammer, Planner, and more. Needless to say, what you have access to depends on the subscription plan you decide to take out.
Microsoft 365 can be designed to meet your specific business needs without burning a hole in your pocket. All plans can be mixed and matched. You can also change plans at any time. And here’s the best part – Microsoft365 has everything you’d need to pave the way and make you win real big.
Make your business agile & responsive
When you move to the cloud you accept a new payment model. Instead of buying licenses, you’ll now pay a monthly subscription fee per user. But first, here are some of the immediate benefits of migrating to the cloud:
Software updates as and when they happen
Minimize up-front IT infrastructure costs
No maintenance to worry about
Scale up or down your operations and storage needs easily
Share and collaborate seamlessly
Realize higher & bigger productivity benefits
All files, always backed up
Who is buying & using Microsoft 365?
According to Microsoft’s FY20 Q1 results, Microsoft 365 now has 200 million monthly active users. What is interesting to note is that 3 million new users are coming onboard per month since November 2015. This in itself is quite a startling statistic and speaks volumes about how solid the offering from Microsoft is.
So let’s dive right in and see what makes Microsoft 365 cloud-based collaboration tool such a fantastically attractive and preferred choice with so many of its users across the globe.
Matter of convenience
It is great to have all the apps you regularly use (chat, word processing, email) in one place. It is not just very handy and convenient, but there is no fumbling or doubts even for first-time users, as it makes switching between apps and sharing files extremely simple and easy.
Streamlining workflows automatically increases productivity. This means the less time you spend switching between one task to another, the more time you have for real work. Microsoft 365 provides one of the most convenient workflows and delivers greater formatting flexibility and functionality.
More advanced than anything available on the market,
Effective collaboration & sharing
Microsoft 365 unlocks the modern ways of working. The fact is, it does not matter where you are working from, you will now have proven tools to help you adapt from wherever you are. Whether you’re using a laptop or your mobile device, you can easily attend meetings online, share Office files, co-author in real-time, and be productive from anywhere.
Microsoft 365 effortlessly facilitates collaboration and sharing between team members. Multiple team members can be working out on the same document at the same time, and files can be quickly shared between different users. Very useful, when you want things done on the go. All put together, Microsoft 365 brings to you big advantages that many of its users can vouch for.
You can work without Internet access
Depending on your subscription, you can work on Microsoft 365 programs offline as well. Possible because you would be already having all the programs and files and software you need on your laptop or PC. You can also create new documents, edit existing documents, even when there’s no internet access.
Due to its syncing feature, Microsoft 365 saves all these changes, pending upload. Once you come online again, those pending uploads are uploaded and synchronized automatically.
Whole range of powerful apps
There is nothing that you can do or have done using Microsoft 365. The collaborative functionality will exceed expectations, every time. Microsoft 365 is today’s way of doing business. Today’s way of sharpening your competitive edge. Access accurate data and informed inferences.
As you are aware all strategic work needs collaboration and access to great quality information. Studies show, that the right information is far more valuable than quantity. Microsoft 365 can help unearth great insights, help you make informed decisions and manage your business environment.
Seamless integrations
You can integrate Microsoft 365 with anything from your CRM to your finance app to your CMS. You can also now meet your customers where they are whenever you desire. Connect with audiences through engaging webinars, podcasts and events in Microsoft Teams.
Easily create and hold town halls, company meetings, and training. Share rich information and content with live event audiences of up to 10,000 attendees. Invite your customers and stakeholders to view and engage with videos and discussions across web and mobile apps. Deliver on-demand events that seemed impossible before. And you can make them happen quickly and cost-effectively!
Real-time, full-fidelity software updates
Microsoft 365 gives you full access to all the essential apps such as Word, Excel, and Outlook, letting you work online seamlessly without the need to install any other software. You’ll receive software updates as and when they happen, which is quite frequent.
Besides, you will never need to worry about missing out on versions that will help you work better. You also eliminate additional expenses as updates are included in your monthly subscription plan.
Safe in the cloud
Microsoft 365 ensures all confidential business operational data, plans, strategies, and other valuable business-critical information is handled discreetly and stored in a robust and totally secured cloud environment.
A two-factor authentication process eliminates the chances of unauthorised people gaining access to confidential information even if they get hold of your access devices. 24/7 threat detection and anti-malware monitoring enable rapid identification and instant activation of preventive measures.
If your business involves dealing and handling highly sensitive and confidential client information then this factor alone can play a decisive role in building trust. Opting for Microsoft 365 sets your business free from the worry of security being compromised.
Always within budget
You can subscribe to Microsoft 365 on a per user, per month basis. This way you never overshoot your pre-set budget. Your outflow is worked out on the basis of the level of functionality you choose for your business.
Since you will be paying per user, on a per month basis, you have total control over the monies you are likely to spend on IT on an annualised basis. Besides, all upgrades are covered in the cost of the monthly subscription. Everything becomes predictable and pre-planned.
To give you additional control and operate within your budget, you can opt for changing the number of subscriptions you will hold at any given time. This comes in very handy when a member of your staff leaves or you have a new hire. You are never under- or over-subscribing at any given point in time. You reduce waste and conserve resources.
Disaster proofed
All your emails and business data files stay locked up safe in the Cloud. These are frequently backed up so that you and your business can continue to operate smoothly even when disaster strikes.
No matter what happens to your physical devices, Microsoft 365 is equipped to activate all recovery processes. Individual emails or even entire inboxes can be restored to ensure business continuity.
How digitally fit is your team?
You simply cannot expect your staff to adopt new ways of working without equipping them with the necessary skills. It’s not just about teaching them to use Microsoft 365, but also how to thrive in the flat digital world which will get flattered and flatter as new technologies and apps are introduced.
This is why finding the right partner will be critical to your success. You need someone who understands your business, can help develop skills in-house through mentoring selected individual from your team. And most important, can help you move towards reaching your goals
Partner with Microsoft Gold Partner
Web Synergies will help you understand which of the Microsoft 365 plans on offer will work for you. Once onboard, your partner will help streamline your business communications and support you with new ideas and plans so as to optimize capabilities and scale as you grow.
Web Synergies has helped several small and medium-size enterprises move to Microsoft 365 without a hitch. Your partner offers to stay on, managing Microsoft 365 operations if you so desire.
By closely working with you, Web Synergies will help set your managers free from worrying about the nitty-gritty of working with new software. They can focus on what they do best --strategizing and delivering your unique value add.
Microsoft 365 is a monthly, per-user subscription platform designed to meet your specific business needs. Prices range from US$5/user/month and go up to US$35/user/month.
