12 Benefits of Microsoft 365 for Business

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Tracy Rock

Director of Marketing @ Invenio IT

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It’s no secret that Microsoft 365 for Business has been an essential collaboration tool for thousands of businesses across the globe – especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The cloud-based platform plays a key role in the daily operations of large companies and small businesses alike, helping teams stay productive and in communication with each other, no matter where they are.

In a recent post, we provided a high-level overview of the platform’s features and capabilities. But today, we want to drill down a bit further to uncover how those features translate into tangible benefits for businesses.

If you’re evaluating SaaS productivity tools, here are 12 benefits of Microsoft 365 for Business you should know.

1) Remote Work

First and foremost, Microsoft 365 for Business gives organizations all the necessary tools they need for remote work to flourish. As 2020 has shown, businesses must be ready for their employees to work from wherever they are. That means having access to business tools from remote locations.

In the new normal of a post-COVID-19 world, flexibility and adaptability will continue to be essential requirements for businesses to stay competitive. Microsoft 365 for Business is specifically designed to help businesses adapt.

The platform is cloud-based, which means everything is online and available to all who have access, regardless of where they’re located. As long as there’s an internet connection, workers can access their Excel spreadsheets, Word Documents, Outlook email and other files. Additionally, whenever a new spreadsheet or document is created, it’s saved and synced in real-time to the cloud, so others can access that same file instantly, even if they’re thousands of miles away.

2) Web and Mobile Capability

No matter what kind of devices your business uses, you can rest assured Microsoft 365 for Business will run on anything. Whether your company provides specific devices, or employees use their own, they’ll still be able to use Microsoft. More than that, applications like Outlook, Word, Excel and OneNote can all run on the web. So you don’t have to worry about users needing to install software on personal machines that may not be compatible or secure. All they need is an Internet browser.

Employees will be able to access documents, their email and OneNote on the go from their home computer, laptop, iPhone or Android device. And again, users can work on the same document simultaneously, no matter the device used. In fact, you can have several team members going over a Word Document, making last-minute additions or edits from their phone.

3) Seamless Collaboration

Thanks to the cloud-based nature of Microsoft 365 for Business, employees have the perfect tools for collaboration. The suite includes Microsoft Teams, which allows for making video calls and hosting virtual meetings for up to 300 users. Employees can take advantage of the same tool for real-time chatting, so communication couldn’t be easier.

Through instant-messaging, the use of emails can be significantly decreased – teams can connect with each other for quick answers, instead of checking their inboxes. This makes day-to-day workflow faster and friendlier as employees can converse naturally, instantly. What’s more, employees can even chat on the go from their smartphone, so that critical communication can continue regardless of where team members are.

Companies can also take advantage of SharePoint for even further integration ability. SharePoint allows businesses to create specific team sites for information and document sharing. What’s more, Microsoft 365 for Business allows version control. This workflow is perfect for businesses who may need to take a step back to see an older version of a document.

4) Device Management

Depending on the plan chosen, businesses have access to control and management settings on each connected device. With intuitive controls and processes, security settings can be implemented and modified. Additionally, every device listed can have an Office app and Windows 10 updates installed automatically.

This device management frees up user and IT time by automating operations. Nothing will have to be manually updated, downloaded or installed. Thus, your business benefits from the time saved in trying to keep each device updated.

5) Cloud-Based System

It’s the 2020s. By now, every business should be relying on the cloud to power at least some of their operations. When companies use cloud-based systems for document sharing and collaboration, every staff member will always have access to the most up-to-date version. No need to send emails to team members asking for the latest documents. No more struggling to manage numerous versions. By using the cloud, teams work faster and can be more productive.

6) 5 Devices for Each User

To piggyback off the cloud-based system, each user enrolled has up to five devices they can use. That provides enormous versatility in daily operations, especially during the global health crisis, where remote work has become standard.

Employees can install Microsoft apps on their desktop, phone, laptop or tablet. They can start a conversation on a laptop and switch to their phone as they walk out the door to continue the conversation. The cloud allows each device to stay up to date, and auto-syncing ensures all files and documents are accessible for everyone and every device.

7) Advanced Security Features

When using any cloud-based service, maintaining security is essential for keeping your data safe. Microsoft uses numerous advanced protocols and tools to deliver iron-clad protection of user information, files and accounts.

With Microsoft Defender for M365, any threats from phishing emails, dangerous links and ransomware are intelligently defended. If a device happens to be lost, Microsoft will help wipe all the data from the stolen device. Thus, all your proprietary information will stay protected, even if theft occurs.

With Microsoft Cloud App Security, your data is protected against any cybersecurity threats. Analytics are even available to ensure your information is secure.

With Mobile Device Management, employee’s phones are further protected against outside threats. Businesses have access to detailed reports on the use of company data from device to device.

8) Plan Variety

Not all businesses have the same needs when it comes to SaaS tools, which is why Microsoft provides several options to choose from. This flexibility is perfect for those who don’t want to have doubts about committing to new tools. Businesses can test out certain plans, upgrade and scale as their needs grow.

What’s more, businesses can even test out various plans for free. Most plans come with a free 1-month trial, allowing you to try the tools before committing.

9) Cost Efficiency

You have to spend money to make money, or so the saying goes. However, with Microsoft 365 for Business, your overhead cost is much lower than other alternatives. Rather than shelling out thousands of dollars upfront for software, you can pay monthly fees for Microsoft’s services.

Thus, you only have to pay for these benefits for as long as you want. Rather than purchasing a complete software system, you’re basically renting it from Microsoft, which keeps your expenditures low. And again, using software-as-a-service in this manner means you can alter your services, upgrade to more storage, downgrade to get rid of services you don’t use or cancel altogether.

10) Online Storage

With Microsoft’s One Drive platform, all your documents are automatically synced to the cloud. Individual employees can work on a document at home on their computer. Moments later, as they make their way to work, they can work on the same document using their phone. Alternatively, they can make offline updates via their laptop. Once they’ve gained an internet connection again, OneDrive will upload the document.

11) Anytime Support

Another key benefit that businesses receive is the support you get from Microsoft or your managed-service provider. Whenever your company has issues with a product, device or tool, Microsoft is ready to help. You can contact Microsoft Services via the web or by phone. Or, if you’re subscribing to M365 for Business through Invenio IT, our teams can support you as well.

12) Compliance

When you use Microsoft for Business, you can control who has access to various information. You can set teams with specified user roles and set permissions for each user.

Administrators can also set password requirements for employees. For example, you can require employees to change their password each quarter to improve security. The control is in your hands with over 1,000 privacy control settings meeting international and industry standards.

Other Benefits of Microsoft 365 for Business

If your business operates over several time zones, setting up meetings can get awfully confusing. To combat such issues, Outlook can display meetings in several time zones. That way, each employee will know what time the meeting is without having to think about the time difference.

Furthermore, your Outlook account provides advanced features like focused inbox and de-cluttering modes. Here, the user’s email accounts can be automatically separated into different folders and de-cluttered based on preferences.

Get Started and Enjoy the Many Benefits of Microsoft 365 for Business 

The benefits of Microsoft 365 for Business is invaluable for organizations that want to improve their collaboration, productivity and workflows. Request more information about Microsoft 365 for Business or contact Invenio IT today by calling (646) 395-1170 or emailing success@invenioIT.com.

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