Many businesses still rely on the standard, desktop version of Microsoft Office to keep their day-to-day processes going. There is good reason for it: Microsoft Office has been the pinnacle office processing software for decades. Microsoft has taken their award-winning software a step further and for the past few years has offered it as a cloud-based subscription service known as Office 365. Office 365 is the full Microsoft Office suite, distributed over the cloud (via an internet connection).
Microsoft Office 365 offers businesses of all sizes many benefits not available in the standalone desktop version. Here are 4 reasons to make the move to Office 365.
You’re Always Up To Date
With a cloud subscription, you are guaranteed to have the most up to date version of Microsoft Office. Sure with regular desktop software, the developers will allow users to download critical updates as needed. Yet when it comes time to upgrade to the newest version to hit the market, businesses have to purchase the new release each time. With Office 365, your employees get to work with the most current version of Microsoft Office without having to worry about their software becoming out-of-date.
You Only Pay For What You Need
As Office 365 is a cloud-based subscription service, businesses have the flexibility to pay only for what they need. Traditionally, companies would install Microsoft Office on all of their desktops, laptops, and workstations, even if the machine wasn’t being used. With Office 365, you don’t have to pay for software you aren’t using. Simply set up subscriptions for the employees you have in the office. If you need to add more, you can do so with a few clicks of your mouse. Additionally, you can also deactivate subscriptions as needed.
You Can Finally Allow BYOD
Many companies have been apprehensive of establishing a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy, which essentially allows employees to use their own tablets, laptops, and mobile phones for business use. Businesses switch to a BYOD model to save on having to purchase equipment for employees and it gives the staff the flexibility to work with the types of devices they are most used to. Office 365 has enterprise-level security protocols that allow users to securely access files and other information, regardless of which device they are using. Plus, Office 365 includes cutting-edge mobile safeguards that allow system admins to remotely wipe data and access to Office 365 should an employee’s device go missing or get stolen.
Additionally, with specific subscription levels, companies can use Office both in the cloud and installed on a MAC and/or a PC that is tied to a specific account. This makes software licensing and management much easier, which frees up time for the in-house IT staff.
You Can Enjoy The Benefits Of The Cloud
Office 365 includes Exchange Online, which provides businesses with the same email support, content management, and calendar operations that on-premise Exchange provides. The only difference is Exchange Online operates in the cloud. Switching to Office 365 means you can forgo having to support your Exchange server in-house. This can reduce IT costs by freeing up server resources and allowing the in-house IT team to focus on other issues. Plus you can increase or decrease the space needed for email storage with Exchange Online as often as you want, without having to worry about purchasing new servers to accommodate for an increased capacity needs.
