As the workforce becomes increasingly more mobile, businesses have had to implement new tools to help them thrive in this new environment. This is especially true for productivity and collaboration tools as hybrid and remote work has become the new normal. For example, email, calendar, spreadsheet, and meeting platforms have all had to evolve to meet new business needs.
Microsoft 365 is Microsoft’s solution to meet all the demands of remote and hybrid work. The platform combines both collaborative and productivity features into a single platform that’s available anytime, anywhere.
But what exactly is Microsoft 365? What suites and services are included in the platform? How can the platform benefit today’s businesses? We’ll answer these questions in depth below as well as review how to implement the solution with confidence.
A Look into Microsoft 365
Understanding exactly what Microsoft 365 is and how it differs from Office 365 can be confusing. Eric Beins, COO at JourneyTEAM says, “Microsoft 365 is the cornerstone of any productive business that needs reliable, secure, and productive applications for business essential functions. Whether it's managing your day-to-day in Outlook or adhering to compliance with security and identity policies, Microsoft 365 is the workplace suite that allows you to accomplish what you need without any hassles. It's designed to scale from small businesses all the way to the enterprise corporation by giving control and insights to administrators while providing intuitive interfaces for end users. With Office 365 you're getting the tools you've come to depend on plus new workplace productivity enhancers like Teams, SharePoint, and Viva.”
Put simply, Microsoft 365 is a cloud-based suite that includes Office 365 and additional tools such as Enterprise Mobility and Security (EMS) and Windows OS. The solution was designed with an incredibly accessible workflow, enabling business users to access files or resources in the cloud and sync changes across devices, and streamline project collaboration. Additionally, Microsoft 365 features real-time updates so users can work alongside each other and see changes in real time. In-app comments and chat features keep everyone connected and in sync.
The platform includes three subscription plans:
For Home: Designed for everyday personal use. Includes popular tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
For Business: Offers productivity and collaboration tools for small and medium-sized businesses; designed to grow customer base, build your brand, and scale securely.
For Enterprise: Similar to Microsoft 365 for business, the enterprise subscription offers the save producvitivy, security, and management but for enterprise-level companies.
What’s Included in Microsoft 365?
Microsoft 365 includes dozens of robust, scalable tools that enable businesses to meet their specific needs, including:
Advanced Threat Analytics
Cloud App Security
Defender
Edge
Excel
Exchange
Forms
OneDrive
Outlook
Power Apps
Teams
Viva
Windows
Word
Yammer
A full list of the products included in Microsoft 365 can be found here.
Top 5 Benefits of Microsoft 365
There’s a reason Microsoft 365 is used by millions of businesses worldwide. The seamless integration with additional Microsoft products, enhanced communication and collaboration, and anywhere access are just a few. Some additional benefits of using Microsoft 365 include:
Enjoy 150% ROI. According to Forrester, businesses that utilize Microsoft 365 in their technology stack are likely to see a 150% ROI. Because the platform is hosted on the cloud, the solution enables organizations to save on technology, compliance, and mobility costs simply by eliminating hardware.
Work more efficiently. Everything businesses need to work more efficiently can be found in Microsoft 365. From Office Suite–which includes some of the most popular tools–to Power BI, a powerful data analytics platform, businesses can accomplish more at a faster pace.
More accessibility and scalability. Regardless of where employees are, they can access tools, applications, and files anytime, anywhere, and from any device. The platform is also highly scalable so organizations can easily build new applications and avoid potential disruptions.
Collaboration is incredibly easy. Microsoft 365 features numerous tools that enable users to easily collaborate. Users can leave comments or assign tasks on documents or call or instant message colleagues via Teams.
Comprehensive security. Even though Microsoft 365 is hosted on the cloud, data is completely secure. The platform features robust security features, including message encryption, advanced threat analytics, data loss prevention, and more.
Ultimately, the platform enhances workforce productivity and efficiency by providing users with all the tools and applications needed to thrive in a remote or hybrid workplace.
Ready to Get Started with Microsoft 365?
Despite the ease of implementing Microsoft 365, it can be overwhelming to get started. That’s where JourneyTEAM comes in. Working with our team of experts, you can create a customized instance of the platform that meets your specific business needs.
If you’re ready to bring Microsoft 365 and all its features to your business, contact a JourneyTEAM representative today.