Your definitive guide to Microsoft 365 for Business

The modern workplace is evolving at lightning speed with distributed teams, brand new business models and complex security issues. The right digital tools connect and support employees, wherever they are, encourage productivity, engagement, and collaboration. Microsoft 365 powers out global, modern workplace with one bundle of products. A smart, efficient operating system, mission-critical enterprise-grade security tools, and seamlessly integrated workplace productivity apps. 

What is Microsoft 365 Business?

Microsoft 365 is a complete productivity solution for small and medium-sized businesses. Previously called Office 365, Microsoft 365 is a subscription service that includes Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), intelligent cloud services, and world-class security. It has been developed by Microsoft to assist organisations in safeguarding against cybersecurity threats. The advanced security capabilities allow businesses to protect data across all devices.

Microsoft 365 is tailor-made for SMBs (small to medium businesses) and understands the challenges that they face in the ever-changing world. The Microsoft 365 Licence brings together the security and innovation of Windows 10, the power and familiarity of Office 365, and streamlined management and maintenance capabilities built specifically for small and mid-sized businesses.

What is available in Microsoft 365?

Microsoft 365 for Business includes the following features:

• Productivity tools, including:
  • Office 365 Applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and more)
  • Online Services (Exchange, OneDrive (1TB), Teams, and more)
  • Advanced Services: Exchange Online Archiving
• Windows Operating System
• Device Management
• Advanced Security
  • External Threat Protection
  • Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection, Conditional Access, Enforce Windows Defender Exploit Guard, Enforce BitLocker encryption
  • Internal Data leak prevention: Date loss prevention, Azure Information Protection

 

What is the difference between Office 365 and Microsoft 365?

Microsoft 365 has been built on the foundations of the well-known Office 365 Business Licence. It is the new way of working that puts businesses at the forefront of modern technology. Microsoft 365 includes everything you know in Office 365. It is designed to help people and businesses achieve more with innovative cloud computing services and additional security features.

Microsoft made the transition from Office 365 to Microsoft 365 to be more reflective on the range of benefits and features the subscription, to meet the unique needs of businesses.

 

 

Benefits of Microsoft 365

Security

Microsoft spends billions on IT security ensuring they are consistently ranked as one of the top security providers in the world. With over 1 billion Microsoft devices operating throughout the world and reporting back to Microsoft, the information they receive about the threat landscape is unrivalled. This places them in a perfect position to detect, protect and respond to an ever-changing IT security landscape.

Productivity

Microsoft 365 has a plethora of tools to increase your workforce productivity. There are endless possibilities to support any size of business. Read our blog on the best applications for boosting your productivity.

Connectivity

With Microsoft 365, you can stay connected with everyone you work with – which is even more important in the current COVID-19 pandemic. Chat, meet, call, and collaborate with your colleagues all in one place, no matter where you are.

Agile

Workplaces and offices are having to adapt and evolve quickly in the current climate. With 46% of UK employees working from home in April 2020, organisations are relying on digital tools, such as Microsoft 365, to connect teams and keep their business running.

 

Which Microsoft 365 Business package is right for me?

You can choose from four Microsoft Business plans:

1. Business Basic

Business Basic includes business email, Teams and cloud storage. Desktop version of Office apps are not included. The basic package is ideal for organisations who do not need access to documents, but just need to send images and files.

2. Business Standard

Business Standard includes access to apps, business email, cloud storage and Teams. Standard includes some security settings but does not include device management capability – this is suited to to staff using Apple or Chromebook devices.

3. Business Premium

Business Premium includes everything from the Standard level, plus additional security features and device management. This Premium package is best suited to small to medium businesses with full time staff

4. Apps for Business

Apps for Business includes Office apps and cloud storage but does not include business email or Microsoft Teams.

 

How to migrate to Microsoft 365

Making any changes to IT systems can be daunting for most businesses. The switch to Microsoft 365 is a sensible choice and the process is a smooth transition. As Microsoft Gold Partners, our team of experts will support and guide you through the Microsoft 365 migration, handling the process from start to finish. At Fabric, we also handle on-going maintenance or your Microsoft 365 Business package, post roll-out.