WHAT IS MICROSOFT BUSINESS 365?

One of the most common questions we are asked is ‘Which version of Office 365 should we opt for?’ We invariably answer with ‘It depends!’ This is due to the numerous applications available within the various editions and the individual needs of the end-user.

Microsoft Office 365 Business Premium

So, to begin with, let’s take a look at Microsoft Office 365 Business Premium. It is specifically targeted at businesses with up to 300 users. This version combines Office 365 apps including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive with mobile application management and Windows 10 Pro. For collaboration, it also includes the ever-popular Skype, SharePoint and Teams.

Microsoft Connections and Microsoft Listings

There are also apps that are designed to deliver a complete set of operational products. This includes Microsoft Connections, a simple email marketing service. Microsoft Listings, to promote the business on sites such as Facebook, Google, Bing, and Yelp. Lastly, Microsoft Invoicing, an invoice-creation service.

Microsoft Business 365

For added peace of mind, the next edition, Microsoft Business 365, adds the Security Suite. It includes device management alongside tools to protect against data leaks, malware and spyware.

It’s a great set of products for many small and medium-sized organisations. However, if more advanced functionality is required, or if you have more than 300 users, the Microsoft 365 Enterprise plans (E3 and E5) are going to be more appropriate.

These build on the Office 365 apps outlined above, adding tools such as Yammer, Azure Active Directory and Windows Hello. It also provides Identity & Access Management along with robust Data Protection.

Conclusion

Suffice to say, there are many options available. That’s why we always recommend engaging with a Microsoft partner to help scope your project and to ensure that the migration is a success. So if you would like to discuss further, please get in touch.