Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 incorporates cloud based email. In the past, email was typically configured using Microsoft Exchange Based on a server. This created many problems, not least of which was if your server went down or was offline for any reason your email went with it.

With the advent of cloud-based email systems such as Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365), not only has the link between server and email been severed, the ability to email from anywhere you have an internet connection is now available.

Microsoft 365 provides more than just email – if you want it. You can add on Microsoft Office software to your subscription – Word, Excel, PowerPoint and so forth. The beauty of this is you never have to pay for another licence for your office software nor pay to upgrade your office software. You will always have the latest version of Microsoft Office.

With the advent of enforced working from home and social distancing, the video software and collaborative working elements of Microsoft 365 have come into their own. Microsoft Teams is now the predominant business-based means of communicating with video conferencing for geographically dispersed teams.

Microsoft 365 also comes with its own cloud file storage system called OneDrive. Like old cloud file storage systems, it is very convenient but does require careful management, particularly when files and folders are shared across multiple members of staff. OneDrive and other cloud file storage systems such as Dropbox and Google docs are not a substitute for managed folders, files and software deployment that businesses would typically deploy with a server.