Due to the development of the cloud in recent years, where we can now access information remotely with a Wi-Fi connection and run our businesses on the go, products such as Microsoft Office have been developed to meet current demand. Now you can choose to use Microsoft Office or Microsoft Office 365, but is there a real difference between the two?

Traditional MS Office is provided as a download and you get the latest version of the software, usually for a price of around £ 100 more (more if you opt for the full business package). With MS Office 365, the software is provided by a subscription service in which you pay by the number of users monthly, accessing your documents and tools such as Word and Excel through the cloud.

The pros and cons of Microsoft Office

You can get all the usual tools for Microsoft Office and, for the most part, there will appear to be no difference between this arrangement and the MS Office 365 package. You are the full owner of the software and can use it on as many machines as the license allows. The problem is that when you want to upgrade to a newer version, you will have to download and pay for the package, along with the licenses, again.

The pros and cons of Microsoft Office 365

There’s a lot to be said for the subscription service Microsoft Office 365 offers. You can download it on multiple devices, just like you would Microsoft Office, but that’s just the beginning of the benefits.

• First of all, it provides a cheaper outlay than with MS Office, with monthly subscriptions available starting at £ 3.10 per user per month.
• You get more for your money with Microsoft Microsoft Office 365 with additional features and capabilities that can make a real difference to your business.
• You can download it to a variety of devices, including your smartphone, which means you are less reliant on your office computer and can work more effectively on the go.
• In addition, you get all the necessary updates automatically and you can keep up to date with the new versions and also receive 24/7 support.

The downside to Microsoft Office 365 is that there is little scope for customization, but that shouldn’t be a problem for most businesses. There’s also the security issue – the service is connected to the cloud, which means you can assume the threat level is higher. However, unsurprisingly, Microsoft has invested heavily in robust security systems.

Which one is best for your business?

A large number of SMEs and other companies will see the benefits of moving to a platform like Microsoft Office 365, especially because of the cost benefits. The problem many companies will have is how 365 integrates with their other software and how flexible it is likely to be. The notion of being able to access important things like documents and emails practically anywhere in the world where there is a Wi-Fi connection is also highly desirable in today’s fast-paced business world.

Working through a good cloud service that includes a highly secure hosted email service means there are now no barriers to doing business. You can perform a multitude of tasks from webinars, instant messaging, and sharing documents between teams.

Bring the right IT consulting

It’s not just about signing up for Microsoft Office 365. If you want your business to be completely secure and benefit from a host of web-enabled tools, you need to choose the right IT consultancy that can advise on what your business needs and what features will benefit you the most.