Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, choosing the right software and applications – the right office suite – will have a big impact on your business’ performance and your employees’ productivity. But each business is unique, and the tools each requires will be different from one to the next. 

Does your business use Google Workspace (formerly G Suite), because you had a Gmail email account and that’s how you got started? Do you utilise Apple’s iWork because your business uses a Mac operating environment? Do you use Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) because it’s the most popular, but are not sure whether it’s the right choice for your business?

If you’re already overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Consider talking to a managed service provider that can help you choose the best office suite for your business.  

But if you’re considering switching to Microsoft 365, are already using it and want to reinforce its use to the board, or are a small business startup looking for its first office suite, keep reading to find out why choosing Microsoft 365 for your business is a good idea. 

But let’s start with what Microsoft 365 is and what it’s used for.

What is Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365)?

First off, let’s just state that there is no difference between Office 365 and Microsoft 365 (it’s just a rename).

Microsoft 365 is an office suite software that provides a complete productivity solution for individuals and businesses. Now a cloud-based subscription service, it makes file sharing easily accessible from anywhere as long as you have access to the Internet. 

With the Microsoft 365 office suite, you get suite productivity and collaboration apps and tools such as:

  • A word processor (Word)
  • A spreadsheet editor (Excel)
  • A presentation app (PowerPoint)
  • Cloud-based file storage (OneDrive)
  • Mailbox (Outlook)
  • Calendar 
  • Voice and Video call software (Microsoft Teams, Skype)
  • Flowchart and diagram app (Visio)

Transitioning from a one-off payment into a subscription service (billed monthly or yearly) means that you always get the latest version of Microsoft 365, with constant security and features updates. And by moving to the cloud, it’s combined all of its online services, email, cloud file storage, communication and collaboration tools with the other Office apps. 

What is the advantage of Microsoft Office 365?

Microsoft 365 is used for productivity and collaboration. The advantage of Microsoft 365 lies in its ability to offer businesses world-class security, advanced Microsoft cloud services, device management and a seamless, connected experience for their employees. What that means is the ability to work from anywhere, while easily collaborating and enjoying improved IT security through the software’s built-in features. 

No wonder it’s the most used office suite software in the world. According to Statista, as of June 2022, 91,780 Australian businesses were using Microsoft 365 – part of over a million companies worldwide. 

6 Reasons to choose Microsoft 365 for your business

Microsoft 365 is a good choice for small businesses and large enterprises alike. Here are 6 reasons why.

1. Cost-effective solution


Because of Microsoft’s 365 subscription model, you can choose a licence and its cost based on the size of your organisation and the level of functionality you need. Microsoft has a lot of subscription plans available, so you can tailor each based on the needs of your small business or enterprise. 

The predictable spend per month, per user, helps you budget your IT in advance. Plus, if you decide to pay annually instead of monthly, you benefit from a discounted price. 

Is Microsoft 365 available for free?

No, but you get a 1-month free trial on any of the plans. 

How much does it cost to get Microsoft 365 for business in Australia?

In 2022, the cheapest business plan starts at AU$8.20user/month, with the Microsoft 365 Business Premium costing AU$30.20user/month

2. World-class security 

Microsoft 365 has advanced IT security features, with a lot of measures in place like a built-in antivirus and spam filtering, disaster recovery, a strong privacy policy and two-factor authentication for its secure cloud storage. 

These days, businesses can’t have enough security, so knowing that your productivity and collaboration systems are highly protected is one of the top advantages of Microsoft 365 for businesses. 

4. Improved collaboration and communication 

The fact that users can access their files anytime and anywhere (online and offline) through Microsoft’s central cloud location, makes it easy and very possible for Microsoft 365 users to enjoy real-time collaboration. 

Plus, Microsoft has a lot of tools for communication that are making communication very accessible no matter where one is located (users can easily work on the go). Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Teams Calling Voice and Video are just two examples. Another example is a recent (no extra cost) addition to Microsoft 365 Business, Visio, a tool to communicate using flowcharts and diagrams. 

5. Business continuity and resilience 

Automatic upgrades, privacy settings, the latest technology, and the support of mobile devices puts Microsoft 365 at the forefront of increasing business continuity, agility and resilience. Plus, its compliance leadership is also something that businesses should applaud – and be happy to enjoy. 

Especially important for business security is the data loss prevention (DLP) feature. Microsoft 365 stops an email from being sent if it contains sensitive data.

6. Easy to use

Because of its widespread use and fine-tuning over the years, when it comes to using the tools and apps in Microsoft 365, there’s almost no learning curve required. 

New employees find it easy to adapt and managers spend a lot less time on training.

Get Microsoft 365 for your business

At MSP Blueshift, regardless of whether you’re an SME or a large enterprise, we help our clients choose the right technology for their business. Because of the versatility, security, software updates and overall robustness of Microsoft 365, we wholeheartedly recommend it to small businesses and large enterprises alike. 

If you’re considering switching to a Microsoft 365 plan for your business or enterprise, as a Microsoft partner, we can help you choose the right plan. Contact us today for a free consultation.