Microsoft 365 is Microsoft cloud-powered productivity platform. With a subscription to Microsoft 365 you get the latest productivity apps, such as Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook as well as OneDrive. When you subscribe, you have the ability to install the software on PC, Mac, tablet, and mobile phone.
How Is Office 365 Different From Prior Versions Of Office?
Office 365 is a subscription-based service. This means that rather than purchasing a copy of the suite completely for a one-time, up-front cost, users rather pay a monthly subscription fee in order to access the service at a level that they choose.
With Office 365’s subscription-based model, users always need access to the most recent version. This is because the platform is updated at Microsoft’s end, while as perpetual, on-premises users would need to buy a new copy of the latest edition in order to be able to use new features.
Office 365 Is Built As A Cloud-First Application
Even though desktop versions of its apps are available with specific plans, it’s designed to be used online. All applications, services and data that is produced by Office 365 are kept on Microsoft’s servers.
Users don’t really need to install software or support any hardware on which to run it. In addition, Office 365 comes with email hosting as well as cloud storage space. This means that users can host their files online and have access to them wherever and whenever they need to, from any device that connects to the internet.
Being cloud-based, Office 365 also comes with a host of features not available in previous, perpetual versions.
Secure Cloud Storage
Office 365 is a completely secure environment with robust security measures in place, such as two-factor authentication. This ensures that unauthorised people won’t be able to access your files if they happen to get onto your device.
Threat detection and anti-malware means security risks are identified and halted immediately, which is especially important for organisations which deal with confidential data or information, such as an online casino South Africa. Utilising Office 365 means that your business is free to run without any concerns for security.
Improved Communication
Office 365 gives users tools to make sure that communication is kept centralised and simple across Skype as well as Outlook. Skype for Business allows you to hold conference calls and meetings with staff – together with external agencies – wherever in the world. This means that you can always collaborate and communicate irrespective of distance or time difference.
Teams provides an instant messaging function in which comments can be added and files uploaded at the same time. This is useful for cross-department collaboration and when co-authoring documents. In addition, you can ‘at’ people on Teams so they receive a notification that a comment is aimed directly at them. All of these features mean that you can be in constant and immediate contact with teams and individuals wherever they are located and at any time.
Predictable Spend
Microsoft Office 365 is paid for on a per-user, monthly basis, on a subscription basis. The cost of your licences is dependent on the level of functionality that you choose for your business. Different enterprise levels encompass different applications and products. This determines the cost of each licence. Paying per user, per month offers you a certain expense and helps you to budget your IT spend for the year ahead.