Microsoft has a habit of changing plan names on a regular basis, what used to Office 365 is now just Microsoft 365. Tomato, Tamato..

For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane, Microsoft 365 is still the best choice for productivity no matter what they call it.

In this article, we will delve into what’s included when you sign up for Microsoft 365 and explore the advantages of both the most commonly used plans, Microsoft 365 Business Basic & Microsoft 365 Business Standard

Microsoft 365 Plans: Basic vs Standard

Microsoft 365 offers a range of plans tailored to businesses of all sizes. The best plans for SMB’s are Microsoft 365 Business Basic and Microsoft 365 Business Standard.

The main difference between the 2 plans is that Standard includes the full version of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook etc that can be used on up to 5 computers / Mac’s.

Microsoft 365 Business Basic

· Web and mobile versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook only

· Microsoft Teams

· Microsoft Exchange with a 50GB mailbox

· Microsoft One Drive with 1TB of Storage

· Microsoft SharePoint

Microsoft 365 Business Standard

· Desktop versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Publisher and Outlook

· Microsoft Teams

· Microsoft Exchange with a 50GB mailbox

· Microsoft One Drive with 1TB of Storage

· Microsoft SharePoint

Benefits of Microsoft 365 for SMBs

Regardless of the plan you choose Microsoft 365 is a must-have for your SMB:

1. Increased Productivity

With Microsoft 365, productivity is at your fingertips. Collaborate on projects, access documents from anywhere, and streamline communication with Microsoft Teams. Even if your team isn’t in the same office, you’re always on the same page.

2. Reduced Costs

Microsoft 365’s subscription-based model helps your SMB save on software costs. Say goodbye to the headache of maintaining your own inhouse application/mail servers and infrastructure – Microsoft takes care of it for you.

3. Improved Security

Defend your business against cyber threats with Microsoft 365’s robust security features. Real-time protection, data encryption, and compliance tools ensure your business data remains secure.

4. Scalability

As your SMB grows, Microsoft 365 grows with you. Adding or removing users and services is a breeze, ensuring that your IT adapts to your changing needs.

What problems will Microsoft 365 suite solve in my business??

Here are some of the most common use cases for Microsoft 365 in business and what it can replace:

1. Communication and Collaboration:

Email and Communication: Microsoft 365 replaces traditional email servers with Microsoft Exchange Online, offering robust email hosting, calendaring, and secure communication through Outlook. It also includes Microsoft Teams for real-time chat, video conferencing, and collaboration, which can replace standalone chat and conferencing tools.

2. Document Creation and Management:

Word Processing: Microsoft Word is a powerful tool for creating and editing documents, replacing traditional word processing software.

Spreadsheets: Microsoft Excel is widely used for creating and managing spreadsheets, often replacing tools like Microsoft Excel.

Presentations: Microsoft PowerPoint is the go-to software for creating and delivering presentations, replacing tools like PowerPoint or other presentation software.

3. Data Storage and Sharing:

File Storage: Microsoft 365 provides OneDrive for Business and SharePoint, offering cloud-based file storage and sharing, which can replace traditional file servers and on-premises storage solutions.

4. Project and Team Management:

Task Management: Microsoft Planner and To-Do provide task and project management capabilities, replacing standalone project management tools.

Team Collaboration: Microsoft Teams streamlines team collaboration and replaces the need for separate chat, conferencing, and collaboration tools.

5. Security and Compliance:

Email Security: Microsoft Defender for Office 365 enhances email security, replacing traditional email security solutions.

Data Protection: Microsoft Information Protection helps in securing and ensuring compliance with data protection regulations.

6. Cloud-based IT Infrastructure:

Server Infrastructure: Microsoft 365 eliminates the need for on-premises email and collaboration servers, reducing the reliance on physical server infrastructure.

7. Remote Work and Mobility:

Remote Access: Microsoft 365 enables remote work with cloud-based applications and secure access, making it a replacement for the traditional in-office work model.

8. Licensing and Software Costs:

Software Licensing: Microsoft 365’s subscription-based model can replace the need to purchase individual software licenses, providing cost savings.

9. Scalability and Flexibility:

Scalability: Microsoft 365 adapts to the evolving needs of businesses, allowing for easy scaling up or down as required.

Microsoft 365 is a versatile solution that offers a seamless, integrated ecosystem for businesses. This versatility is a key reason for its widespread adoption in businesses of all sizes on the Gold Coast and Brisbane as well as the rest of the world.

So, if you are not using Microsoft 365 – where the bloody hell are ya?

Contact us today to find out about moving your business to Microsoft 365