As many parts of the world are slowly heading back towards normalcy, businesses are figuring out ways to combine in-person and remote work. Allowing some staff members to telework full-time or part-time can have significant financial advantages, and it is easier than ever with Microsoft 365. By taking advantage of features such as office apps, scheduling and communication tools, and cloud technology, internal business collaboration is efficient and user-friendly.
What Is Microsoft 365?
Formerly known as Office 365, this subscription service gives you access to the well-known Office apps Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Access, and Outlook, as well as a range of other features that facilitate communication, scheduling, and storage. Once you sign up for the service, you can immediately install and activate all of the functions. To do this, you need an internet connection, but once set up, the Office apps will work offline as well.
There are three tiers of Microsoft 365 products, called Home, Business, and Enterprise plans, each with several different options. Most companies will benefit from the Business option, which allows access to up to 300 users and is available in basic, standard, and premium varieties. While the essential features are included in all of the plans, the standard and premium options include more advanced tools and security.
The Features
Starting at $5 per user, you can access all of the features mentioned above of Microsoft 365, allowing your team to collaborate while working both in the office and remotely. Because the service has so many different functions, it is the ideal solution for many businesses. By using this tool, you can avoid the hassle of signing up with many different vendors.
The Office Apps
The most well-known and important feature of Microsoft 365 is the Office apps, which can be used online and offline. With every plan, your users receive web and mobile versions of these apps to work efficiently from anywhere. What’s more, any updates will also be included, and your team can collaborate easily by using real-time co-authoring. This way, multiple users can edit the same document at the same time.
Communication and Scheduling
In addition to the apps, your team can hold video meetings with up to 300 people at a time and chat together on Microsoft Teams. All of the data, such as chats, files, and meetings, can be brought together using this tool, or you can use the ShareTool intranet to create a team site.
In terms of keeping track of the company’s events, there is an internal calendar that your team can use to send each other meeting invitations and share their schedules. There is also an email service that allows you to create customized emails in the format of yourname@yourcompany.com. Each user’s email inbox will be able to hold 50GB of storage.
Storage and Cloud Technology
Microsoft 365 presents OneDrive as the storage solution for your business. It can hold up to 1TB and lets your users share files with each other and with external contacts through the use of guest links. This provides a high level of security by making sure that only authorized users gain access to your documents.
Security
Finally, several measures are implemented to protect your business against cybercrime. The basic features accessible to all Microsoft 365 business users are spam and malware protection for email, security and privacy controls that comply with national and international regulations, custom permissions features, and password policies that prompt users to change their passwords after a certain amount of time.
If you opt for the Premium plan, you will benefit from even more advanced measures. You will be able to wipe data from lost or stolen devices, restrict unauthorized apps from saving your company’s info, enforce malware protection, and more.
The Advantages of Remote Working with Microsoft 365
The use of this system comes with a range of benefits for your company. Not only does Microsoft 365 provide one easy solution for your remote working needs, but it also offers excellent support and options for growing your business.
One Simple Solution
Just like when you hire a managed service provider for your IT needs, signing up for this system removes the need for many different vendors, which can simplify your life considerably. Whether your company employs 50 or 250 people, there is no longer a need for complex office, scheduling, communication, and storage tools. Instead, you can use this one-stop solution for all of your needs.
Easy Collaboration
Most businesses won’t fully revert to the previous business model of having all employees working in an office every day. Instead, it is likely to remain flexible, with remote work playing a significant role in most companies. A sophisticated but easy-to-use tool like Microsoft 365 can ensure that your team will collaborate through team meetings, real-time co-authoring, and flexible storage solutions, no matter where the company members are located.
Great Support
In addition to all of the features discussed above, Microsoft also offers around-the-clock support, both online and by telephone. If you ever run into an issue with any of the components or would like to speak to a person directly, you can reach them at any time. This personal approach, similar to the one implemented by Edafio Technology Partners, underlines the client-centered business model this tool is based on.
Options for Growing Businesses
Finally, you may not know exactly how and at what rate your business will grow in the future. Changing providers is a hassle, so you need a system that can handle growth and changes to your needs. This is not a problem with Microsoft 365, as there is a wide range of plans available to suit everyone’s needs. The Business tier works well for companies with up to 300 employees, but you can upgrade to Enterprise if your company grows beyond that.
With remote work here to stay, companies need a flexible and user-friendly way for their teams to work together. With Office 365, you can benefit from various tools such as the Office apps, Microsoft Teams, and cloud technology that enable easy collaboration. To find out which plan suits you best and how to set this up for your business, contact Edafio, your dedicated and experienced managed service provider, today.
