How M365 Can Save You Money

How do we save businesses money on IT when the costs of apps and services keep rising? The answer is mostly consolidation into Microsoft 365. Microsoft continue to add apps into the 365 ecosystem, allowing SMEs to reduce unnecessary software expenses. In this blog, we’ll explain how consolidating apps into Microsoft 365 can save your business money and improve efficiency.

1. Eliminate Redundant Software Subscriptions

Many SMEs use different apps for communication, file storage, project management, and collaboration—often paying for each of these platforms separately. For instance, a business might use Slack for team messaging, Dropbox for file storage, and Trello for project management. These separate subscriptions can quickly add up and strain a small business budget.

Microsoft 365 offers a suite of tools that can replace many of these individual apps. With tools like Teams for communication, OneDrive and SharePoint for file storage, and Planner for project management, you no longer need to pay for separate subscriptions to third-party services. By consolidating these services under Microsoft 365, you can significantly reduce your overall software costs while gaining access to fully integrated tools that work seamlessly together.

2. Integrated Tools

One of the key benefits of Microsoft 365 is the integration across all its apps. Whether you’re using Word, Excel, Teams, or OneDrive, the platform allows for collaboration and file sharing, all within the same ecosystem. This saves your team time and effort when switching between apps, streamlines workflows, and reduces the chance of errors or lost information.

Lets' take a lived example. Within a teams meeting, users can access, share and collaborate on documents in real time, all within the same window. Files saved in OneDrive or SharePoint can be accessed and edited directly within these apps, without needing to log in to a separate platform.

We provide IT support for small businesses, meaning we often have the challenge of managing multiple software licenses and navigating between disconnected tools. With Microsoft 365, the consolidation of services ensures a more efficient workflow, reducing downtime and frustration caused by juggling multiple applications.

3. Centralised IT Management and Security

When SMEs use a variety of standalone software platforms, managing IT security, software updates, and licenses becomes a headache. Each app may have its own security policies, and keeping track of everything can be overwhelming, especially for small businesses that don’t have a dedicated IT department.

By consolidating your tools within the Microsoft 365 environment, you benefit from centralised management and enterprise-grade security. Microsoft 365 offers robust protection features, like encryption, multi-factor authentication, and advanced threat protection, ensuring your business data stays secure across all your applications.

Additionally, your IT team (or your Microsoft support partner) can manage all user accounts, software updates, and security policies from a single admin portal. This reduces the complexity of managing multiple applications, minimises security risks, and ensures that your software is always up to date.

4. Flexible Subscriptions

With Microsoft 365, there are subscription options across a full range of requirements and budgets, which we find is more manageable than operating under several SaaS models. There are monthly and annual subscriptions, and subscriptions with various levels of access. Unlike traditional software models that require large upfront investments, Microsoft 365 operates on a subscription-based model, allowing you to pay for what you need without the hefty initial costs.

By choosing a tailored plan that suits your business size and needs, you can avoid paying for unused features and scale up or down as your business grows. This flexibility makes Microsoft 365 an affordable option for SMEs, giving you access to a full suite of tools without breaking the bank.

5. Cloud Partner Support Model

When consolidating your business apps into Microsoft 365, you also benefit from professional IT support for small businesses. With the right Microsoft support partner, you’ll have access to experienced technicians who can help you get the most out of your tools, troubleshoot issues, and ensure your systems are running smoothly.

Whether you need help migrating your data to Microsoft 365, managing your cloud infrastructure, or securing your business from cyber threats, having dedicated IT support ensures that your business stays productive and protected. Plus, many Microsoft 365 subscriptions include 24/7 access to Microsoft’s own support team, so help is always available when you need it.

Consolidating your business apps into Microsoft 365 is a smart move for any SME looking to save money, streamline operations, and improve efficiency. With integrated tools, centralised management, flexible pricing, and expert IT support, Microsoft 365 offers a comprehensive solution that covers all your business needs under one roof. By cutting out unnecessary software subscriptions and simplifying your tech stack, you can focus on what matters most—growing your business.

If you're ready to explore how Microsoft 365 can transform your business, contact us today to learn more about our Microsoft support services and how we can help you get started.