It won't be an exaggeration to say Office 365 the “next big thing” since businesses of all sizes are touting it as "the software of the future”. Launched back in 2011, Microsoft Office 365 is a cloud-based suite of applications that offers a host of benefits to businesses including CAPEX into OPEX, real-time collaboration, secure cloud storage, zero downtime, collaboration anywhere anytime, maximum reliability, smooth integration with MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft applications. If you are also planning to make a transition to Office 365, you must know the critical things given below.
If you want to move to the cloud from an on-premise active directory environment, you must keep in mind that making a move to the cloud is not as simple as it seems. Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack (SP2) comes with a wizard that cuts down the steps from 50 to a mere six, still the migration would be cumbersome, time-intensive, and requires a lot of meticulous planning in advance. Therefore, it is recommended to seek help from a professional Microsoft Office 365 migration services provider.
When it comes to making a transition to the cloud, it becomes important to choose the right plan for your business. Microsoft offers a three-tier plan for businesses namely Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Microsoft 365 Business Standard, and Microsoft 365 Business Premium. Each plan comes with a set of features and applications. The Business Basic plan is ideal for startups wherein you’ll get Office Online, secure cloud storage, and Microsoft Teams. The Business Standard plan is ideal for small and mid-sized organizations wherein you’ll get secure cloud storage, Microsoft Teams, business email, and premium Office applications across devices. The Business Premium plan is ideal for large enterprises wherein you’ll get all the features of Business Standard along with best-in-class cyber threat protection and device management.
MS Office 365 suite offers a slew of applications that you need to perform all your business-related tasks. However, if there is any application such as CRM that doesn't come with Office 365 suite and you want to integrate the same, in that case, it is recommended to make sure the plan you've selected allows you to integrate third-party applications. If the selected plan is not compatible with the application you want to integrate, you must upgrade your business plan. Microsoft and its partners leave no stone unturned to make the integration process smooth for businesses across industry verticals.
Security is a key concern for businesses irrespective of their sizes when planning to migrate to the cloud. You have to make sure that your business data is well-protected and accessible only to those with whom you want. With Office 365, you can steer clear of all your security woes since each business plan of Office 365 suite comes with advanced in-built security features including Exchange Online Protection, Advanced Threat Protection (ATP), and more to keep your confidential data completely secure from prowlers or cyberattacks. Besides this, you will also get additional security features such as anti-malware, access control, IDS/IPS, etc. that will provide your data complete protection.
Migrating to the cloud is a wise move, especially when you are considering MS Office 365 services. However, before you migrate, you must consider all the critical factors that are discussed above in this informative piece. This will help you in making a smooth transition to the cloud and make the most of Office 365.
Alice Gray is a seasoned web developer having over 8+ years of experience in developing tailor-made web applications. In her free time, she loves to educate aspiring developers by developing insightful content on trending tech topics.