We have spent a significant portion of this year breaking down the differences between Office 365 and Microsoft 365. The similar names are confusing, and it is challenging to decipher the differences between the applications. Thankfully, Microsoft was aware of the confusion and is gearing up for a grand rebrand on April 21st. Now, these products will have the same encompassing Microsoft 365 umbrella. The hope is that this rebrand will ease the confusion and simplify the choice of which application is right for you. Active with this rebrand are not just name changes, but additional tools. These tools will be brought to you by Microsoft’s smart and intuitive Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Congratulations to everyone out there. You have most likely been working remotely for three weeks and hopefully settling into a new “normal” workday. Part of that new “normal” workday for most of us has been a plethora of video conferences. We have made a drastic change from audio-only conference calls to now getting to regularly see what people wear when they work from home. Also with this change, we are finding out that these applications may not have been as secure as we expected. While Zoom works on these issues fervently, here are a few tips to keep your meetings safer.

In times of uncertainty, like those that we are currently in, we have the pleasure of seeing the very best in people. We have seen time, and again people stepping up and using their resources to help. We have witnessed automobile and vacuum manufacturers switch gears to make ventilators. Distilleries are helping by producing hand sanitizer. Most of us are doing whatever we can to help out our current state of uncertainty. Unfortunately, some take these times of uncertainty and benefit from them by preying on vulnerabilities. So, to add to our present risks of health and economy, we also have an increasing Cybersecurity Threat.

Yesterday began a new trial as now entire families are now at home attempting to work, learn, and do their best to stay sane. Challenging is an understatement to describe what our country and the entire world is currently dealing with. So we wanted to take a little time and let you in on a couple of new tools that may help your new "normal" workday function a bit better. As you are attempting to conduct meetings out of a home that resembles a 3-ring circus, these tools can hopefully bring a bit more professionalism to your remote office.

We are currently traveling in uncharted territory. Many of you have worked remotely for years, where others are still trying to figure out the logistics of how to physically work remotely. And even if the location of your work hasn’t changed, the feeling or the environment is different. Many of you will be working today with your spouse and kids surrounding you. We have new terms like social distancing and every situation is fluid and evolving. These are new times, so we need new tools to help us find as much efficiency in the way we are working.

In the past few weeks, we have explored all things Microsoft 365. We have broken down the terminology, product differences, pricing, and common questions and answers. Based on all that we have reviewed, it is time to give you the details of how to decide if it is the correct product for your office. Today we will break down the three major deciding factors of how to determine if Microsoft 365 is the right option for your office.

As we have discussed over the past few weeks, Microsoft 365 and all that it includes can be quite confusing. It consists of all things Office 365 and so much more. We have given you verbal and visual descriptions of how the two products are similar and how they are different. We’ve broken down many of the essential terminologies as it is used and referenced. Now that you hopefully have a better understanding of the two Microsoft offerings let’s break down the barriers even farther and answer a few of the more commonly asked questions regarding Microsoft 365.