For many small businesses it can be difficult trying to decide what software is best to use. There are many different software’s available nowadays that it can feel overwhelming when making a decision. Millions of people worldwide, have come across Office 365, and it is easily one of the most popular cloud-based, subscription services available. Microsoft Office 365 has many benefits, but they might not be suitable for every business.
This guide is designed to help you decide whether or not Office 365 is a software that will work well for you and your business.
What actually is Office 365?
Microsoft Office 365 is a cloud designed to help you with your business. It includes Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, and Publisher. It is a huge cloud-based subscription model, with online and mobile friendly versions of all the apps, which are super easy to use.
Thinking about using Office 365? Here are some pros and cons so that you can decide if it is worth it for you.
Pros of Office 365
Access files anywhere- With Office 365 it allows your business and users to keep all their documents and files on the cloud. Meaning that they can be accessed on any device, anywhere as long as there is an internet connection. Having access to files enables users to do their jobs easier at home, which is needed more than ever these days! This is one of the biggest advantages of having Office 365 and you should definitely consider this, if this is something your business would benefit from.
Secure and trustworthy- There are security measures in place which ensures that unauthorised people can’t access your files or documents, even if they have access to your device. This makes Office 365 very trustworthy and secure, so that you can feel confident that your files are safe. This is especially important if you work with confidential documents and data, if you do, office 365 might just be perfect for you to keep everything secure and private.
Upgrades- All the apps that come with Office 365 such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, work without needing to install any software. The upgrades needed on these apps perform automatically, without inconveniencing you. This means that you never have to worry about manually updating your apps as it happens automatically, and you can relax knowing that you are always using the most up to date version.
Cons of Office 365
As with many different software’s, office 365 is not flawless, and you should consider the cons before making your final decision.
Internet issues- Any business can be hit with a bad internet connection; it happens to everyone at some point. This is a downside of using Office 365 as it means that you most likely will not be able to save files on the cloud, or access emails. Some plans allow users to install the full desktop versions of the Office apps (such as Word, Excel, Publisher, and PowerPoint) so that if your business does suffer an internet issue, then users can continue to work offline.
Compatibility issues- There is a chance that your systems could be outdated and incompatible with Office 365, this means that you are not able to enjoy the most up to date versions of the apps it has to offer. This can be a huge setback, especially if you believe that Office 365 is perfect for you. There are ways around this, but it would cost your business more money. For example, you could purchase new systems which would cost a fair amount of money, so you need to consider if Office 365 is really worth it for you. Check that your devices are compatible before you do more research so that you don’t get disappointed.
Online Applications- Some users may experience a few setbacks when they try to work with the online applications as there are a few features that are not available online compared to desktop. For example, Office Word online, does not allow users to access password protected documents. Obviously, this is a big issue for many different businesses, and you should take this into consideration when making your decision. This issue can be resolved by downloading the Desktop versions of the apps so that all features are available. So, you need to think if this con is really an issue for your business.
So is it actually worth it?
This really depends on you and your business, but the short answer is, it really is worth it. With more of us working remotely, it is important to access the tools we need to do our jobs wherever we may be. There are lots of cloud-based applications so you can do your office work anywhere, at any time.
You don’t even need a laptop or a PC, the majority of the applications can be easily used via your smartphone, which is even more handy and accessible.
Office 365 is the best option for any business that wants to use all of the office apps, and work remotely.
Overall, Office 365 is a really handy software to have. A lot of issues that users come across can be solved pretty easily. Take your time researching and deciding if it is best for your business.
If you are still unsure about if Office 365 is the right software for you, or if you have any questions, then get in touch today and one of our friendly team members will be happy to help.
Contact us: 01909738343
Make sure to follow us for more helpful advice: @i_proactive