It is highly likely that your company has already implemented some version of Microsoft 365 or Office 365. Microsoft’s legacy applications—Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and more—have long been a staple for offices across industries. As a part of its modernization efforts, Microsoft launched a cloud-based version of its suite of productivity tools. Microsoft 365 is the latest and greatest version of Office, featuring a host of updated security features and AI-powered management tools.
This blog will explore the benefits of Microsoft 365 vs. Office 365 and how it compares to many businesses’ existing subscriptions.
Key differences between Microsoft 365 vs. Office 365
Office 365
Office 365 is the flagship cloud-based subscription service that grants users access to the Office Suite of applications and other features, such as storage with Microsoft OneDrive. As of now, Microsoft still supports Office 365. However, it seems likely that Microsoft will eventually phase out Office 365 in favor of Microsoft 365 for the reasons discussed below.
Microsoft 365
The core benefits of Microsoft 365 include all the Office 365 features and applications you currently rely on—plus innovative security features, business intelligence and analytics, and tools to manage compliance. Additionally, Microsoft 365 includes Windows 11 Enterprise, which showcases next-level security capabilities. Another standard benefit of Microsoft 365 is Enterprise Mobility + Security (EM+S). EM+S is designed to plug security gaps in hybrid work models.
Also read: How Microsoft Workloads on AWS can enhance your enterprise Cloud
Benefits of Microsoft 365 vs. Office 365
Microsoft 365 expands on Office 365 by enhancing its strengths (such as best-in-class productivity apps) and adding powerful, AI-driven cybersecurity products.
Additional benefits of Microsoft 365 include:
- Business intelligence and metrics that harness AI insights.
- Compliance oversight tools through Microsoft Purview.
- Installation and updates of applications enterprise-wide with Windows AutoPilot.
- The ease and added security of Windows 11.
- Expanded administrator controls that allow for simple identification and access management.
- Increased visibility into enterprise-wide user and device connections through a single-pane-of-glass portal.
- Advanced security tools that track cyber threats and learn from emerging malware attempts.
Microsoft 365 for enterprise
Microsoft 365 has subscription plans for businesses of all sizes. Microsoft 365 Enterprise vs. Office 365 is geared toward large corporations. Plans vary, but there are two standard license variations.
E3
- Manage devices, applications, and identifications from a single computer
- Next-generation cybersecurity and threat prevention
- Compliance management and oversight
E5
- All the features included in E3 licenses
- Sophisticated business intelligence, analytics, and insights
- Even more compliance tools via an updated Microsoft Purview
E3 and E5 licenses are currently available for both Microsoft 365 and Office 365.
Microsoft 365 benefits for business
Consolidate vendors. Microsoft 365 streamlines vendor management by merging various vendor platforms into a single application. The increased visibility of vendor details saves time, boosts data accuracy, and improves vendor relations.
Artificial Intelligence. Microsoft 365 utilizes AI across security, compliance governance, and business intelligence. These machine-learning tools hunt down malware threats before they become an issue, flag potential compliance issues, and generate business insights that lead to informed business strategies.
Boost productivity. Streamline operations with automated workflows and user-friendly dashboards. Applications can now automate simple and complex workflows—everything from ordering lunch via chatbot to processing travel booking, re-ordering supplies, and managing time off. Also, documents can now inherit metadata from related files, which makes it possible to automate the archival of content. This feature frees digital ecosystems from clutter while automatically protecting data with archived backups.
Free up IT resources. Microsoft 365 benefits IT departments by allowing them to operate more efficiently, freeing up valuable IT budgets and time to devote to strategic endeavors. In addition, by relying on a secure cloud solution, storage, security, applications, and devices can be effectively managed from one console, reducing the need for on-prem staff.
Hybrid environments. Microsoft 365 was created with the hybrid workforce in mind. Businesses can reduce hard costs such as travel by patching in their employees remotely from anywhere in the world, utilizing the built-in collaboration tools of Microsoft 365.
Cyber security and compliance features
Cybersecurity threats have grown exponentially in recent years. In response, Microsoft 365 features advanced security tools that seek out malware threats before they become an issue. Governments and compliance organizations address cyber security threats by enforcing new standards and regulations. In every industry, companies face hefty fines for falling out of compliance.
Microsoft 365 strengthens security measures vs. Office 365 through:
- Locking down identity permissions, endpoints, and mobile vulnerabilities.
- AI-powered threat protection that hunts through the whole of the internet for emerging viruses and malware.
- Microsoft Purview, which helps businesses navigate the ever-changing world of compliance.
Also read: Managed Disaster Recovery using Microsoft Azure
Partner with OnX for a guided deployment of Microsoft 365
Getting the most out of your Microsoft Suite is a challenge. Businesses face questions like:
- When is the best time to switch to Microsoft 365 vs. Office 365?
- Are there any benefits of staying with Office 365?
- What licensing option should I choose?
As a Microsoft Cloud Solutions Partner, OnX has years of experience deploying and managing Microsoft products. In addition, OnX employs many Microsoft-certified engineers who are thoroughly trained in each iteration of the Microsoft Suite. Our team has the experience and skills to ensure that all your Microsoft questions are answered thoroughly.
Get in touch to learn how OnX can help you get the most out of your Microsoft investment.