Whether or not it’s worth getting Microsoft 365 depends on your specific needs and circumstances. Businesses use the product, (formerly known as Office 365) to improve productivity, security and for scalability. If you have similar needs, it is likely to be a product you’ll consider for your business.
Is it worth getting Microsoft 365 for business?
Here are some key points to consider that may help you decide if it’s worth getting Microsoft 365:
- Features & Software Familiarity: Microsoft 365 comes with access to Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. It’s one license, for many devices! Whilst many businesses are using the likes of Google Sheets instead, Microsoft programs like Excel remain a preference for others due to advanced functionality features such as Excel’s data visualisation options. For other businesses, it’s simply the fact that they’ve been using Microsoft’s application for years, and need to migrate to Microsoft’s subscription-based software model.
- Investment: Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based service, so you will need to pay a monthly or annual fee to use it. Depending on your situation, this cost currently starts at $8.20/month/user.
- Collaboration & Integration: If you need to collaborate with others on documents or presentations, then Microsoft 365 offers unified collaboration options in real-time, and all that integrate with other Microsoft tools such as SharePoint. It allows multiple people to work on the same document simultaneously, improving communication, particularly in remote work environments.
- Cloud-based storage: Microsoft 365 provides cloud-based storage through OneDrive, which can be useful for backing up your files and accessing your ‘office’ from anywhere. Note: you’ll want to make sure you still back up your cloud-based files – a service an IT company like ourselves can manage for you.
- Access to updates: With Microsoft 365, you’ll have access to the latest updates for Microsoft applications, including new features and cybersecurity updates.
Microsoft 365 is a well-established solution that can be a solid choice for businesses needing a wide range of productivity tools and desktop applications that work both offline and online – an important consideration for businesses in remote areas. However, choosing an office suite isn’t as simple as it once was – every subscription tier has different options you may find yourself confused about.
If you’d like a detailed assessment of your business technology stack, our local team of IT experts can help. We’ll sort out the technical stuff, so you don’t have to.
