When it comes to running your business successfully, you need the right tools for the job.
Both platforms, Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace, provide robust resources for helping you streamline your day-to-day operations.
While each platform shares similar capabilities, there are still some key features you should consider for your organization.
What Tools Do I Need for My Business?
To better understand what tool works best, you need to prioritize what’s needed to support your operations.
With new software implementation you should look for a tool that can help with:
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Productivity
- Information Protection
- Reliability
- Storage
- Compliance
- Security
- Support
Whether you’re trying to scale, meet production demands, hire more employees, or expand locations, selecting the right platform for your foundation is critical for success. To better understand how the platform can support your business, let’s dive into the top tools.
Productivity Apps
The greatest benefit of tools for businesses is the ability to create and process information in a variety of different ways.
Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
With tools like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, the features for creation are endless. Microsoft’s platform offers slick advantages with its ability to access documents in both your desktop and cloud storage.
Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides
Similarly, Google offers you productivity tools like Docs, Sheets, and Slides. While these apps share many basic features with Microsoft products, there is a downside. Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides are limited in their product features. For example, are only accessible through their cloud-based platform which means you need internet access to be able to access the platform.
Email and Calendars
Another foundation for most businesses is a smooth email system. Being able to communicate effectively with organized inboxes and contact lists is paramount.
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft use Exchange Online, optimized for use with the Outlook desktop client.
Outlook makes email a breeze with its customization and automation tools to sort and organize items. It’s also both fully integrated with the web and includes a native version. Which means you get a full product suite, both on and offline.
Gmail
Google has Gmail, optimized for use in the Chrome web browser and on mobile apps.
While not as robust as Microsoft Outlook, Gmail does have basic categories and tags.
However, it’s rule and customization options are limited. You’re able to change the look and feel of your inbox, but there’s no ability to change your inbox views to reduce visual clutter.
Communication Collaboration Tools
Both services offer an assortment of collaboration tools that businesses can use to virtually work simultaneously on the same documents.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams acts as a complete collaboration solution with its ability to email and schedule, create and share content, call and meet, chat, and stay connected across the organization. Microsoft even makes it easy to manage calls with direct routing and calling plans. The best part? This can all be done from the convenience of the Teams app.
Google Meet
In a confusing fashion, Google Hangouts for businesses has split to become Google Chat (for messaging) and Google Meet (for video and audio meetings). Which means switching between the two platforms can get confusing for users or clients and vendors you engage with.
Security
In this digital age, investing in tools that empower your team to work securely is essential. Especially if you’re industry requires certain compliance standards.
Microsoft
Microsoft has top-notch anti-spam and anti-virus protection, encrypted access to data, and integration with multi-factor authentication solutions, which are all included with their security measures. This platform supports a variety of standards including GDPR, SOC 1, and more.
Additionally, Microsoft allows security controls in the cloud, across hybrid, and on premises.
Google Workspace
Google Workspace is limited, only offering the ability to manage a cloud environment.
It also shares a privacy policy across both business and consumer applications, meaning that data protection might not meet certain industry regulations or business security requirements.
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