5 Apps You're Already Paying For

5 Apps Within M365 That Will Save You Money

Microsoft 365, formerly known as Office 365, is a cloud-based suite that offers a wide range of applications designed to enhance productivity and collaboration. These include well-known tools such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as powerful apps like Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint. Here's the comprehensive list of Microsoft 365 Apps you can use instead of their expensive 3rd party equivalents:

1. SharePoint: Microsoft 365 apps are designed to work seamlessly together. For example, Teams integrates with Outlook, SharePoint, and OneDrive, allowing for effortless communication and file sharing. This level of integration is often difficult to achieve with disparate third-party apps. If you're using a file sharing service like DropBox or WeTranfer, switching to SharePoint is the best way to start saving. It's included within every M365 license, and every business gets a minimum of 1TB of storage.
2. Loop: Loop is a project management tool that allows teams to work on shared content, ideas, and projects in real time. Powered by Microsoft 365, it allows users to work on projects regardless of their location. Loop is great for Microsoft 365 users who are using tools like Trello, Asana, or Monday. Because it's integrated into your Microsoft 365 environment, Loop already knows your business data, making the migration simple.
   
3. Power Automate: Power Automate can replace tools like Zapier, and automate workflows. It has all the functionality you come to expect from automation tools, like conditional logic and branching, while integrating with your Microsoft 365 data. It also includes AI Builder, which helps businesses to add AI capabilities without the added expenditure of a Copilot license.
   
4. Teams: Specifically for webinars. Teams' webinar functionality has improved over time, and is now a like-for-like replacement for tools like LiveStorm or Demio. Teams now has the capability to integrate scheduling and invitations, create customisable registrations, and host audiences of up to 20,000 attendees.
   
5. Defender: Microsoft invests heavily in security and compliance. By using Microsoft 365, businesses benefit from enterprise-grade security features, such as advanced threat protection, data loss prevention, and compliance management, which may not be available in all third-party applications. If you're paying for Anti-Virus, you may be wasting resource.

Transitioning from third-party apps to Microsoft 365 apps can be a complex process, but our IT support services play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth migration. Here’s how:

1. Assessment and Planning: An experienced IT servicedesk can assess your current software usage and create a detailed migration plan. This includes identifying which third-party apps can be replaced by Microsoft 365 apps and ensuring data integrity during the transition.
2. Implementation and Migration: IT helpdesk services can handle the technical aspects of migrating data, setting up user accounts, and configuring settings. This minimises downtime and ensures a seamless switch to the new system.
3. Training and Support: Post-migration, our IT support services can provide training for your staff to get up to speed with the new tools. We also offer ongoing support to address any issues that arise and to help users take full advantage of Microsoft 365 features.
4. Customisation and Optimisation: local IT support from Mason Infotech can tailor Microsoft 365 apps to fit your specific business needs. This might include customising SharePoint sites, setting up Teams channels, or creating automated workflows with Power Automate.

When considering a transition to Microsoft 365, it’s important to find reliable IT support near you. Mason Infotech's Local IT helpdesk services can provide the hands-on assistance and rapid response times needed to ensure a successful migration. Our clients will tell you that Mason Infotech is a provider with a strong track record in implementing Microsoft Office suite solutions and a reputation for excellent customer service.