Many of us have used Microsoft Office in the workplace to make our lives easier. With its ability to create various types of business documents and marketing materials, it’s no wonder why business owners and employees rely on Office as a primary productivity tool to achieve their goals and get work done. In fact, we’ve become so heavily dependent on this suite of applications that it’s nearly impossible to imagine a world without it.
But technology never stops evolving and neither does Microsoft. The tech giant has brought its Office software all the way to the cloud in the form of Office 365. This cloud-powered platform offers all the applications available in the traditional Office, with added functionalities and features that focus on team collaboration and mobility. So what does this mean for your business? Let’s take a look at the many benefits of using Office 365.
Your Office…but much better
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past 30 years, you’re probably no stranger to Microsoft Office. Well, the good news is there’s not much of a learning curve if you decide to make the switch to Office 365; you get access to the online versions of programs you already know and use, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote to name a few. The added bonus is all the additional features and updates that you wouldn’t otherwise get from the desktop-based Office applications. Here are the more notable ones:
- Cloud storage – You’ll receive a whopping 1 TB file storage space per user. That’s more than enough to keep all your important business and media files in one place.
- Video conferencing – Use Skype for Business to hold online meetings on the fly, with HD video quality, screen sharing, instant messaging, and real-time note taking.
- Business-class email – Get a massive storage space for message attachments, shared calendars and contacts.
Never pay for new Office version again
The never-ending cycle of software releases may leave you feeling overwhelmed. Just when you thought you’re reaching the end of transitioning your team to using the latest release, along comes a “new” version, and there’s no choice but to start everything all over again. If this sounds all too familiar, Office 365 could be a godsend for your business.
Office 365 runs on a monthly subscription basis and comes with updates and improvements. Instead of large-scale updates that are costly and disruptive to install, Microsoft has decided to roll out smaller updates that often include security enhancements. Chances are, you won’t even notice when an update is in progress — let alone experience inconvenient system downtime. With these automatic upgrades, you’ll be able to save money and rest easy knowing your team will always have access to the latest version of Office available.
Take Office with you on the go
Gone are the days when work was confined to the four-wall spaces of brick and mortar. Forward-thinking businesses are embracing the telecommuting trend, where employees are free to work remotely and collaboratively from anywhere. In the past, that meant having to purchase several copies of Office software licenses to accommodate the needs of your mobile workforce.
Today, that’s an entirely different story. Office 365 lives in the cloud, meaning your teams can access all the applications they need to work when and where their schedule dictates, as long as they have an internet connection — whether it’s at a client’s office, on the road, or somewhere along the coasts of Bali.
Enterprise-level security
Microsoft has invested tremendous amounts of time and resources trying to raise the bar on the security and privacy features of Office 365. For one thing, you’ll never have to worry about your data being lost or corrupted due to server failure or hardware damage. Microsoft hosts your files on its own undisclosed data centers, meaning hackers will have a tough time trying to locate the servers they’re trying to breach. Encryption is enabled at all times, whether the data is staying put or being transferred over the network, to provide maximum availability and security. You couldn’t have wished for a safer place for your data.
Office 365 is a smart choice for small or medium-sized companies looking to up their game in today’s fast-paced, competitive business environment. By opting for this cloud-based tool, you’ll be able to reduce costs while keeping your team productive. What business owner doesn’t want that?
If you want to join the ranks of companies that are enjoying the benefits of Office 365, please get in touch with Spectrumwise. Our experts can show you how this innovative software can change your business for the better, and provide assistance through the entire migration process.
