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Earlier this year, Microsoft announced that support for Microsoft Office 2013 users will be phased out by April 11, 2023. If your business is still using Office 2013, it’s important to pay attention to this change—because the end of support for the software suite could lead to increased security risks.
Microsoft 365 is a natural next step for businesses looking to replace Office 2013. On a subscription-based model, Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) contains all the tools your staff need for productivity and collaboration in a single package. If you’re looking to upgrade or switch from other productivity platforms like the G-Suite, here are a few of the benefits you’ll realize with Microsoft 365 for business.
1) Employees can work from anywhere, effortlessly
From coffee shops to boutique hotels—as long as you have a secure internet connection and login credentials, you can access your work directly through Microsoft 365.
In the modern world of work, employees expect the flexibility to work wherever and whenever with the same level of connectivity as they’d have in the office. For businesses, that means providing them the tools to do so. Because Microsoft 365 is cloud-based, staff can take advantage of its tools from any device, effortlessly improving the employee experience.
2) Range of apps that enable productivity and collaboration
While there’s still merit to a boardroom from time to time, it’s easier than ever to collaborate just as effectively (if not more) from a laptop. Microsoft’s range of productivity and collaboration tools make communication instantaneous—even across borders and time zones.
When it comes to collaborating on documents, securely sharing files internally and externally, and accessing information across devices, SharePoint and OneDrive are at your service. For communicating, staff can use Teams and Outlook to video conference, call, email and instant message seamlessly. Microsoft’s traditional apps like PowerPoint, Word and Excel continue to reign in the realm of business productivity. All of these and more are available within Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
3) Built-in and enhanced security features
Because Microsoft 365 is a cloud-based technology built from the ground up with advanced security features, it’s well known for its solid endpoint security. One of its main selling features is the package of anti-malware and threat-detection technology it comes equipped with—including enhanced two-factor authentication (2FA) to protect lost or stolen devices. Plus, Microsoft handles backend security and updates, freeing up your IT team to focus on other priorities.
Easy administration for your IT team
Gone are the days of productivity interruptions and work stoppages due to time consuming software upgrades and security concerns. Because M365 is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) product, they handle the administration while you reap the benefits. From updates to security patches and bug fixes, their team is on it so yours doesn’t have to be.
5) Flexible payment models and predictable spend
With flexible subscription plans and optional add-ons, you’ll never pay for features you aren’t using with Microsoft 365. Payment plans are structured on a per-user basis, making it easy to scale spend as your team grows. Because the software suite is cloud-based, you’ll also reduce the costs associated with hardware and server maintenance—just another added bonus!
Compare Microsoft 365’s Subscription Plans >
Ready to Get Started with Microsoft 365?
If you’re ready to up your organization’s game with an unparalleled suite of productivity and collaboration tools, we’re here to support. While Microsoft 365 is a great product out of the box, it requires a thoughtful approach to setup, configuration and deployment that aligns with your organization’s unique needs and governance policies.
IX Solutions is here to help you take full advantage of your Microsoft 365 suite and enable your team with a successful deployment. Speak to one of our Microsoft productivity and collaboration experts to get started.
