Technology has completely changed how organisations, including small and medium-sized businesses, operate. Companies that adopt new solutions stand a better chance of growing with the market than their competitors.
To stop yourself from losing steam, you need to support your staff with the correct equipment to enhance their productivity and efficiency, ultimately leading to more sales and profit. A time-tested solution to this is Microsoft 365.
What is Microsoft 365?
Microsoft 365, which also goes by Microsoft Office 365 or M365, is a suite of applications based in the cloud. These programs assist businesses with an aspect of their operations, whether it be unified communications, operational management, or more.
M365 exists within a self-contained platform that users can access with the internet. No matter the scale of your organisation, peoples’ locations, or your employees’ work schedules, your entire staff can drive the daily operations of your business.
The Microsoft 365 applications you may be familiar with are:
- Excel
- Exchange
- Word
- PowerPoint
- Microsoft Teams
- Outlook
- And others
From Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, to backend support services you do not even see, Microsoft’s software can optimise efficiency for any business procedure.
Microsoft 365’s subscription plans
Microsoft 365’s subscriptions cover four base tiers that can be customised when needed. Depending on the subscription they choose, users can access different applications and services based on their requirements. In other words, more complex plans (for example, Microsoft Office 365’s business premium solution) cost more but reward you with additional features and services.
No matter the size of your business, Microsoft Office 365’s business plans match your needs and budget. From the most basic plan (suitable for small businesses) to more advanced subscriptions (recommended for larger companies), these plans are:
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic
- Microsoft 365 Apps for business
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium
- Microsoft 365 E3
- Microsoft 365 E5
Microsoft 365 can support your business with the software and functions you need to keep your employees focused and sustain revenue-increasing processes.
What can M365 do for your business?
With intuitive interfaces and functions that keep your business running, Microsoft 365 is a platform that promotes collaboration, communication, and productivity. Instead, it is an asset that takes your business to another level by streamlining all processes.
M365 can assist your business in the following ways:
A consolidated workspace
With a sizeable portion of today’s workforce completely remote or working in a hybrid arrangement, M365 dispels the notion that distance results in a less productive work environment. From project management to business-class email and calendars, M365 keeps everything within one location for easy, stress-free access.
This arrangement lends itself to the co-authoring capabilities of individual programs. Since M365 is cloud-based, you and your employees can easily collaborate on tasks and talk to each other in real-time.
Not only does it make it easier for you to complete your work, but it also allows you to monitor the progress of assignments and provide feedback when necessary.
Enhanced cyber security
Microsoft’s approach to cyber security is comprehensive and customer-focused. M365 protects your company’s information, data, and users, with dynamic security features and protocols.
Based upon four approaches to digital security – threat protection, identity and access management, information protection, and security and risk management – Microsoft 365’s security measures cover:
- Multi-factor authentication (also known as two-factor authentication)
- Encryption
- Microsoft Defender
- Mobile device and mobile application management
- Account management
- And more
As your business continues to operate and more customers become a part of your journey, you will accumulate vast amounts of sensitive information. Cybercriminals are continuously developing ways to steal and use this information.
To protect your enterprise’s reputation and the safety of your clients, M365 provides a secure environment for your company’s data to be stored and managed.
Off-premise cloud storage
Gone are the days of rearranging your office in the hopes of finding new space to store hardware. Any data you create using Microsoft 365 is stored in well-protected platforms that leverage innovative policies and solutions.
Not only does this save you space or the need to rent some, but it can also protect you in the event that a disaster severs your connection to your data.
Microsoft 365 is necessary for business
While no rule says you must use M365 in your business, choosing not to do so puts you at a disadvantage. The applications and their features can help you manage your customers and employees while streamlining workflows and delivering positive outcomes.
As a business owner, you know that keeping up with the market can feel like sailing through rough seas. However, before you dismiss or cancel a Microsoft 365 subscription, talk to the M365 specialists at Linktech Australia.
As experienced managed IT service providers, they know how to use Microsoft 365 to anchor your business, boost your company’s productivity, and drive growth.