Microsoft Office 365 is the obvious choice for many users when it comes to workplace productivity. However, this range of subscription-based products from the Redmond tech giant go far beyond the capabilities of the desktop versions of Word and Excel to offer real-time collaboration, full cloud-enablement, and much more.
For small business users, the benefits of Office 365 are enormous, especially when you work with a certified Microsoft partner who can manage your entire computing infrastructure for you. Here are five immediate benefits of choosing Office 365.
#1. Real-Time Collaboration
With the workforce becoming more mobile, there’s never been a stronger case for choosing a solution that allows for real-time collaboration. In addition to the familiar desktop versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Office 365 subscribers can use web-based apps for real-time collaboration and co-authoring.
The ability to work from anywhere at any time introduces a new level of comfort to employees, while also allowing them to work more efficiently with talent from all over the world. All you need to do is add a new user account!
#2. Cloud-Enabled Scalability
Office 365 comes with a wide range of cloud services, including web-based versions of all the popular productivity tools, online storage with OneDrive, full integration with Skype, email hosting, and more. Many business packages also come with Microsoft Teams for better collaboration and project management.
Best of all, since everything can be hosted in the cloud, there’s practically no limits to scalability. Subscribers of the business packages can add up to 300 users, while Enterprise subscribers have no limits at all, which means there’s a lot less to worry about when it comes to software-licensing.
#3. Predictable Monthly Costs
Traditionally, businesses had to buy and manage software licenses themselves. For example, the Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 comes with a hefty $249.99 price tag for a one-time purchase. You’ll also have to manage any updates and maintenance yourself, and major new editions command further investment.
Office 365 provides complete visibility into ongoing costs with a predictable monthly fee, which is charged per user. What’s more, all subscriptions include automatic new feature updates, web-based versions of Office applications and a host of other cloud-enabled services like online storage, file-sharing, and additional security measures.
#4. Built-in Customization
There’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all when it comes to business technology, and that’s why Office 365 has been built to adapt to the specific needs of your company. For example, lawyers can choose one of the Enterprise subscriptions to be able to use advanced eDiscovery features, while healthcare providers may want to simplify compliance matters with the Microsoft Trust Center.
Even if one single plan isn’t likely to meet all the needs across the whole company, Office 365 allows you to mix and match plans based on your specific requirements. This approach is also a lot more cost-effective, since there’s no need to pay for apps and features you don’t need.
#5. Instantly Familiar Operation
When it comes to implementing new technology, achieving end-user acceptance needs to be a top priority. Given its long-standing status as the industry leader in workplace productivity, almost all office workers are familiar with the Office 365 apps. There's virtually no learning curve, which means your employees will have everything they need to get straight to work.
Even the newer and more specialized components of Microsoft Office sport minimal learning curves, thanks to their consistent user experiences and complete integration with the wider system.
Arnet Technologies provides managed services and Office 365 hosting to companies across the Greater Columbus Area. Contact us now if you’re looking for an IT partner you can depend on.
