Productivity and collaboration are the keys to business success. But in the world of remote working, this sense of collaboration and real-time communication often feels lost. When teams can be based all over, software that keeps people connected becomes crucial to fuelling performance.
Microsoft 365 is the leading solution for tackling this challenge. Equipped with the latest technology and applications from the Microsoft technology stack, it allows you to connect with teams and employees across your business.
When the coronavirus pandemic first happened, Microsoft invested billions in accelerating Microsoft 365 so it suited the rapidly changing needs of businesses. The success stories of organisations who implemented M365 for Business over the period has been unrivalled. Many experienced an increase in productivity, security and collaboration using tools such Microsoft Teams, Outlook and SharePoint.
And it continues to benefit businesses today.
A Forrester consulting study commissioned by Microsoft on a number of SMBs revealed that organisations with M365 had a 50% improvement in the execution of go-to market strategies. ROI increased by about 163%. Business user productivity also improved by 1 hour per week, equating to over 3,500 person-hours of productivity for a company of 70 employees.
This blog delves further into the benefits of Microsoft 365 for your business, including what it can help you achieve.
An overview of Microsoft 365 for Business_
Formerly known as Office 365 for Business, Microsoft 365 for Business is a dynamic suite of applications. It equips you with intelligent tools for continuous productivity, covering the areas of cloud storage, communication platforms and email. This is all tied together by robust security features that keep your business safe against risk and protect your data.
These tools include:
- Word: For creating and editing documents.
- Excel: For spreadsheets and data analysis.
- PowerPoint: For creating presentations.
- Outlook: For email and calendar management.
- OneNote: For note-taking and organisation.
- Teams: For chat, video meetings and collaboration.
- SharePoint: For document management and intranet sites.
- Planner: For task management and team planning.
- Yammer: For enterprise social networking.
- OneDrive: For cloud storage and file sharing.
- Power BI: For business analytics and data visualisation.
- Forms: For creating surveys and quizzes.
- Stream: For video sharing and management.
- Defender: For advanced threat protection.
- Intune: For device management and security.
- Azure Active Directory: For identity and access management.
This set of applications empower any small and medium-sized business to solve key challenges and work better together.
Microsoft 365 benefits for your business
Because of its advanced technology, Microsoft 365 offers several benefits for your business. Let’s jump into them.
Experience the Modern Workplace_
Microsoft’s concept of the Modern Workplace has been around for some time. It aims to address the modern obstacles facing businesses, enabling them to excel even against new obstacles.
M365 is a core part of the Modern Workplace. Consisting of a suite of productivity and collaboration tools, it provides a platform for remote teams to achieve efficiency and seamless communication.
It empowers employees to collaborate via instant messaging, presenting and video sharing platforms, meaning teams are connected wherever they are.
World-class security as standard_
Another Microsoft 365 benefit is its outstanding security measures. Microsoft have invested significant sums into ensuring data and devices are secure and compliant across businesses. With mounting risk against businesses, fuelled by AI, this has never been more important.
Within M365, there are several licensing types that come with varying degrees of security controls and applications. For example, within the M365 Business Premium license, there is the addition of Windows Defender for Business, Azure Information Protection and Intune for Device Management.
Essentially, M365 protects and secures all your sensitive data from external attacks. By safeguarding vital information across devices and email accounts, it keeps organisational data protected and free from harmful invasions, such as phishing and malware. It defends databases with customer information against any sudden leakages.
Laptops, smartphones, and remote devices are updated with the latest technologies, including multi-factor authentication for maximum security.
Enhanced cloud collaboration_
M365 has a range of collaborative features to enhance teamwork across all departments. It relies on the cloud, meaning members can work and communicate at any time, anywhere.
Group meetings and chats online are made easier through apps such as Microsoft Teams. You’ll have access to tools such as interactive documents, calendars and AI predictive messaging using Microsoft Outlook. Mailboxes can also be shared within your organisation for teammates to work more effectively.
The cloud also makes it easier to scale as your business grows, keeping core functions ticking away smoothly as your business evolves.
Centralised file storage with SharePoint Online_
M365 for Business utilises SharePoint to enhance document collaboration.
Within SharePoint, your team can access important files and documents in one central place, saving valuable time searching.
Plus, with version control, governance can be applied to all centralised documentation. It acts an integral tool for users to work on documents in real time. Teammates can co-author and effect changes without any hassle.
Increased productivity_
M365 fuels productivity across all working environments by reducing the time spent on everyday tasks.
Simple things like removing the need for physical meetings that take up valuable productive time and transitioning them to Microsoft Teams have significantly helped people be more productive. Teams provides a platform for quick interactions, as well as the ability to host engaging meetings, with purpose.
With tools such as Power Platform natively integrating with M365, you can also help your end users make smarter decisions faster. With custom apps created in Power Apps, you can embrace the low-code/no-code culture and empower your teams to create applications that make their working lives easier.
And by utilising software like Intune, you can automate system updates across your technology estate, freeing up valuable time for your IT teams. This helps to reduce your IT management costs by up to 40%.
Embraces remote working across your organisation_
In the era of remote working, fast and effective tools are required to maintain seamless work and productivity.
M365 enables companies to operate effective flexible and hybrid working spaces. Smart apps such as Teams, Outlook, SharePoint, Office and Excel all come together to build a solid remote working environment. You can work from anywhere in the world while producing optimal results.
Reduced software costs and IT expenditure_
M365 gives you the opportunity to cut down on pricey software costs. As a subscription-based service, you’ll only have to pay for the software once, so you don’t have to worry about any subsequent payments.
Tailored to individual organisational needs, The packages are made to be affordable across board, regardless of your budget.
This reduced technology costs will allow you to invest in other areas requiring more financial commitment. It’ll also prevent costs associated with ineffective legacy applications.
Start your Microsoft 365 journey_
By making the move to Microsoft 365, your users will be equipped with modern applications that enable them to work where and how they want.
And thanks deep integrations into the wider Microsoft ecosystem – Dynamics 365 and Azure – you can seamlessly integrate your data across all the applications that matter to your organisation.
Plus, with a flexible range of licensing subscriptions for SMEs and the Enterprise, M365 is a cost-effective solution for any budget.
