Hello and Welcome to the Second Episode of the EPC Group Podcast!
Hope you all are well
In the last week, we discussed Microsoft Teams Vs Slack. This was the very first podcast and I assure you that things are getting in line with our other social media channels. I am working on expanding content across various forms.
The topic for this week is Microsoft 365! Please do not confuse it with Microsoft’s latest release Windows 365. Well! Microsoft hasn’t stopped amazing us. Now they took the Windows operating system to the Microsoft Cloud marking a new beginning of the hybrid work era.
Folks, Windows 365 is so mesmerizing that I need to create a different podcast on that topic.
Once again, my name is Markus here at EPC Group and if you are new to this podcast, please feel free to like to subscribe, follow us on our social media channels, and visit us at www.epcgroup.net.
Coming back to Microsoft 365.
On April 21, 2020, Microsoft officially announced that Office 365 will be renamed Microsoft 365. In short, they changed the title of the book and added a new twist to the original story to make it more engaging.
Do you want to know a little secret? – “Microsoft 365 was originally unveiled several years ago at Inspire 2017.”
So, what changed…
Microsoft 365 was presented as an all-encompassing package that includes Office 365, Windows 10, and Enterprise Mobility + Security. The new offering debuted with two configurations positioned at different segments of the market: Microsoft 365 Business and Microsoft 365 Enterprise. There’s now also Microsoft 365 for individual/family use.
Microsoft not only changed the name of Office 365 to Microsoft 365 but also the ingredients
Office 365 is a cloud services platform that offers familiar Microsoft products like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneDrive (along with other productivity services) either online or on-premises via a subscription plan.
Microsoft 365 is an all-in-one bundle that includes the MS Office suite, Windows 10 Pro, and Enterprise Mobility + Security for a complete, interconnected experience.
Both the business and enterprise plans come with a vast number of features and perks. All of which we will dive into and explain in further detail.
Now to dive in-depth into today’s conversation! Let’s get right to it, what is Microsoft 365! The baseline would be that is designed to help you achieve more with its office apps, cloud services, and high-end security. That is the clear vision of what Microsoft has aimed to polish and perfect. For me when describing Microsoft 365, I express it as an everyday tool. In life, we all need a hammer for nails, a screwdriver for screws, and for business, we need an Office Suite for all our daily tasks. The unity in this combined service is one family with great communication skills, shocking… I know!
If you listened to my previous podcast you would have heard me speak a lot of Microsoft Teams and how it’s a game-changer in today’s workplace environment. I stand by my opinions in the belief that MS Teams is the most influential and essential tool within the Microsoft ecosystems. The ability to bring a company together and provide a fluid, effective, and unifying program is a high point for me. Microsoft Teams allows you to stay in touch anywhere, anytime. Host a vast array of smart meetings, improve collaboration, and enhance productivity. This is the forefront of Microsoft 365 and should be viewed as one of the main components you need for your business!
Now that we set the standard with that product feature, I also wanted to talk about Power BI and the benefits this has been in the Microsoft 365 bundle. The standard definition would be a collection of software services, apps, and connectors that turned your sources of data, into a visually immersive and interactive insight. In previous positions, I have seen firsthand how Power BI sets the bar high in data analysis and how it can be used for your business needs.
Imagine you are in a sales management role, you have all this data of transactions, floor traffic, and add-on incentives. With Power BI, you can take that information, set up rules for conversion rates, generate graphs, compare other departments. All apart of the Microsoft 365 collection. In my opinion with working with Power Bi, I can vouch for its ability to be streamlined across various operating systems with ease. Yes, that includes iOS, with a pretty good loadout for Safari.
Having decided to implement Microsoft 365 into your workplace, you have just given yourself the freedom to work anywhere you have an internet connection. OneDrive allows you to access synced files from any device. In a global pandemic, this is a great benefit for those offices that are still working from home and would like to stay connected.
Another added benefit of Microsoft 365 for business, subscription-based payment model. This gives you financial flexibility! That means you don’t have to pay a huge amount upfront to benefit from the service. The list goes on from Secure and Reliable storage, Virtual communication, Mix and Match plans, the free cost to updates, and data analytics and 24/7 support. All of this, at your fingertips!
Now I always like to give a breakdown of each provided package and its benefits. It is in my best interest to find you a solution that is viable to your business needs. Here are 4 business packages provided by Microsoft
Microsoft 365 Business Basic (formerly Office 365 Business Essentials)
This plan is the least costly of the Microsoft 365 subscription tiers. You can access web-based and mobile versions of Microsoft apps and services, but it doesn’t have desktop versions of Office applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Ideal for very small businesses with access to internet connectivity.
Microsoft 365 Apps for Business (formerly Office 365 Business)
You can access web-based and downloadable Microsoft desktop apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and Outlook, as well as access to OneDrive. This plan doesn’t include other Microsoft services such as Exchange, SharePoint, Skype for Business, Business email, and Microsoft Teams. Ideal for businesses that need Office apps across devices and cloud file storage.
Microsoft 365 Business Standard (formerly Office 365 Business Premium)
This plan allows you to enjoy almost all the Office apps and web services by Microsoft. It allows you to use one license to access Office apps on five mobile devices, five tablets, and five PCs or Macs per user. Similar to other plans, this version also supports 300 users. This plan suits slightly larger companies that need complete remote work and collaboration tools, including Microsoft Teams, business email, cloud storage, etc.
Microsoft 365 Business Premium (formerly Microsoft 365 Business)
Formerly Microsoft 365 Business is the most expensive Microsoft 365 plan for SMEs. In addition to all the Office apps and cloud services, this plan offers comprehensive security that defends your business from advanced cyber threats like ransomware and malware. It also has advanced features like remote data deletion on company devices.
My final thoughts, even though there is a name change from Office 365 to Microsoft 365. You are still getting a powerful bundle of applications that can enhance your work-life journey and satisfy all of your business needs. This is a polished and refined assortment of tools that prepares you for the workplace challenges ahead.
Here at EPC Group, we pride ourselves on implementing these programs throughout your office and teaching you the benefits of the services rendered. Please stay tuned as we discuss many more topics, follow us on social media, at EPC Group, and visit us on the web at www.epcgroup.net.
Goodbye!