Gone are the days when you had to upgrade the latest version of Microsoft Word through a CD. Thankfully now all you need to do is click a button to buy and download whichever software you have to update. A simpler way would be to buy a cloud-based software service which has all you need to work with at once place.
This is where Microsoft Office 365 comes in to help improve your productivity across work. Here is a detailed review of all it’s features and how they can best suit your needs along with some tips to help you save while you plan to purchase a full-featured suite of applications.
Microsoft Office 365 is a full-featured suite of office productivity and collaboration application to make work less tedious, and teamwork to be more streamlined. It brings together Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, One Note and Publisher along with powerful cloud services, device management and advanced security. You get all this at one place for online and desktop versions of apps and services. Microsoft Office 365 makes work more productive as it available on all devices regardless of where a person is working from one designated place or on the move. With all these productive tools you can use it for home, business, enterprise or as a student.
Unlike earlier where you would purchase a license, you have to subscribe for monthly subscription plans depending on the kind of user you are. But before we dive into the pricing let’s look at the features and benefits of the use of Microsoft Office 365
- Cross-platform productivity for desktop and web apps.
- Regular updates
- Cloud collaboration for file sharing and storage.
- On-air meetings through Skype.
- All-around support.
- Multiple devices.
- Team communication and collaboration.
- Schedule and task management.
Microsoft Office 365 is for business, enterprises, students, freelance workers or just about anyone. You can choose your category you fall into.
Microsoft Office 365 for Business
Microsoft Office 365 for Business as the name suggest is for Business where a large number of people work. It allows all the employees to connect and share information from any device, let’s them connect with customers and co-workers through email and calendaring, co-workers can use group chats, online meetings and calls in Microsoft Team’s, share work on OneDrive and SharePoint with 1 TB storage.
The subscription plans are divided into three categories, you can get the first six months free with an annual commitment.
1. Microsoft 365 Business Basic at $5.00 user/month on an annual commitment. Services offered in this plan are:
- Web and mobile version of office applications.
- Email and Calendaring.
- Teamwork and communication.
- Security and compliance.
2. Microsoft 365 Business Standard at $12.50 user/month on an annual commitment. Services offered in this plan are:
- Web and mobile versions of office applications.
- Email and calendaring.
- File and storage sharing.
- Teamwork and communication.
- Security and compliance.
- Support and deployment.
- Desktop versions of office apps for PC and Mac.
- Tools to build and manage your business.
3. Microsoft 365 Business Premium at $20 user /month on an annual commitment. Services offered are:
- Web and mobile versions of office applications.
- Email and Calendaring.
- File storage and sharing.
- Teamwork and communication.
- Security and compliance.
- Support and deployment.
- Desktop versions of Office apps for PC and MAC.
- Tools to build and manage your business.
- Advance security.
- Device management.
Microsoft Office 365 for Enterprise
Microsoft Office 365 for Enterprise you to take your Enterprise to the next level with its apps designed keeping in mind a growing Enterprise. It empowers its users with innovative productivity experiences. Let’s you be connected with your team through Microsoft Team’s, work on the go through office mobile app, AI in Office to help you write and analyze data. It also helps with organizational productivity by simplifying IT management and security and compliance risks.
The subscription plans are divided into three categories.
1. Microsoft 365 E5 at $57 user/month on an annual commitment. Services offered are:
- Office 365 apps.
- Email and Calendar.
- Meetings and voice.
- Social and Intranet.
- Files and content.
- Task Management
- Advanced analytics.
- Device and App management.
- Identity and access management.
- Threat protection.
- Information protect.
- Security management.
- Advanced compliance.
2. Microsoft 365 E3 at $32 user/month on an annual commitment. Services offered are:
- Office 365 Apps.
- Email and Calendar.
- Microsoft Team.
- Social and intranet.
- Files and content
- Task management
- Device and App management
- Security management.
3. Microsoft 365 F3 at$ 10 user/month on an annual commitment. Services offered are:
- Office 365 partially included.
- Email and calendar.
- Social and intranet.
- Files and content.
- Task management.
- Device and App management.
- Security management.
Microsoft Office 365 Home
Microsoft Office 365 Home help you be more creative, organized and secure on all your favourite devices. The AI-powered Word to help you write better or manage all your financial account with Money in Excel. Plan your day with the help of the calendar and protect all your information with advanced security features. Easily backup your data on OneDrive cloud storage with 1 TB of space.
The subscription plans are divided into three categories.
1. Microsoft office 365 Home at $99.99/ year. Share this with your family of up to 6 people, across all their devices. Services included are:
- All office apps.
- Skype.
- OneDrive cloud.
- Usage for up to 6 people.
- OneDrive personal vault.
- 60 minutes of Skype calls per month.
- Includes access and publisher.
- Ongoing technical support.
2. Microsoft Office 365 Personal at $69.99/year. Or$6.99/month. Services offered are:
- Only for one person.
- All Office apps.
- OneDrive Cloud.
- Skype.
- OneDrive Personal Vault.
- 60 minutes of Skype calling per month.
- Works on all devices.
- Includes access and publisher.
- Ongoing technical support.
3. Microsoft Office Home & Student at $149.99 one time purchase. For one person on 1 PC or Mac. You get Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Conclusion
Microsoft Office 365 is a complete solution for small to medium-sized business as well as single users. With its wide range of apps along with cloud storage makes it easier for people to share work and be more productive even when they are away.