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Microsoft 365 vs Office 365: Unpacking the Differences
The ubiquitous Office 365 seems to have “disappeared into thin air” and been replaced with the buzz of the swanky new Microsoft 365. Leaving us wondering, where is Office 365? Is it deprecated? Has it been replaced with Microsoft 365? What is the difference between Microsoft 365 and Office 365? Read on as we do an M365 Vs O365 deep-dive and list the three major main differentiators.
The Short Version: What is the Difference Between M365 and O365?
Quite simply, Office 365 does not exist anymore. Office 365 has been renamed and rebranded as a part of Microsoft 365.
Source: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/microsoft-office
The Full Version: Microsoft 365 Vs Office 365
Office 365 has unquestionably been our official tech playground. It has shaped and nurtured the way we do business. And then COVID happened. The ensuing pandemic-driven lockdowns disrupted organizations globally. The en masse shift to a remote workforce brought in the new Industrial Revolution.
The remote worker requires a lithe platform that can seamlessly switch contexts, mimic real-world collaboration, and increase productivity. Microsoft recognized the gaping hole in the SaaS platform market. Enter Microsoft 365 – “Your productivity cloud across work and life.” It seeks to intelligently and tightly interweave Office 365 apps and cloud services with advanced security features. By combining Office 365, intelligent cloud services, and stringent security, Microsoft 365 became more reflective of the range of requirements of the modern worker.
Three Major Differences Between Microsoft 365 and Office 365
#1 Virtual Collaboration that mimics real-world collaboration
Microsoft 365’s virtual collaboration mimicked or rather improved real-world collaboration. At its core is a super-powered Microsoft Teams. With Microsoft 365, Teams builds on its video conferencing platform to allow you to host meetings, make calls, chat, and share files while collaborating in real time.
Over a call with your colleague on Teams, you can share the Word, PowerPoint, and Excel documents you’re talking about. Seamlessly switch context between team meetings as each Microsoft Teams Channel has its own conversations, files, planner, and calendar organized. This seamless virtual collaboration that mimics the collaboration in an actual office is the key difference when comparing M365 Vs O365.
#2 Advanced Security Inside
Previously, organizations needed to separately subscribe to a security service and ensure that the service was regularly maintained/updated for all employees. With MS365, security is integrated from the start. This bundled package reduces costs, saves time/effort, simplifies licensing, and eases maintenance.
Microsoft 365 scores over Office 365 with its robust four-fold security options:
- Malware Protection: Microsoft 365 Defender and Azure Defender prevent, detect, and respond to attacks across endpoints and hybrid cloud workloads. Azure Sentinel provides org-wide security visibility.
- Customer Data Protection: Safeguarding customer data is a top cybersecurity priority. Microsoft 365’s information protection and governance tools give you actionable insights into the data landscape. Protect sensitive data across the cloud and your endpoints with security, privacy, and data loss prevention policies.
- Device Protection: The security vulnerabilities of the remote workforce have fuelled a sustained increase in cyberattacks. Integrate employee, data, and infrastructure protection with MS’ Zero Trust security model.
- Identity and Access Management: Microsoft 365 comes with Azure Active Directory (Azure AD), a complete identity and access management solution with integrated security
#3 Digital Transformation Catalyst
With the aftermath of the pandemic, digital transformation moved from a buzzword to a must-have for organizations of all sizes and types. If you don’t have a secure, engaging, UX-savvy digital presence, it’s kaput for your company.
With integrated security and AI-driven apps and services, Microsoft 365 provides a comprehensive platform to tangibly bring to life all aspects of your digital transformation. Streamline business processes, collaboration tools, and IT setup and management with a single solution. Thus increasing ROI, saving employee effort, and securing your digital transformation. And closing as a clear winner in the M365 vs O365 conundrum.
Which Microsoft 365 Plan is the Best for Your Org?
Microsoft 365 For Business Plans
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic (USD$5.00/month): Does not include Advanced security and Device management. Only web versions of Office apps are available.
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard (USD$12.50/month): Also does not include Advanced security and Device management. However, both desktop and web versions of Office apps are available.
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium (USD$12.50/month): The whole nine yards. Advanced security and Device management included.
Microsoft 365 For Enterprise Plans
- Microsoft 365 E3 (USD$32.00/month): Productivity apps with basic security and device management capabilities. Audio conferencing for Teams is not available. Basic analytics
- Microsoft 365 F1 (USD$8.00/month): Includes productivity apps, except for Teams and Exchange. Restricted Sharepoint.
- Microsoft 365 E5 (contact Sales for pricing): Productivity apps, advanced identity, and access management, compliance management, and threat protection. In addition, it also offers Teams voice and advanced analytical capabilities
Even with the enhanced protection and security management tools, Microsoft 365 does not offer unlimited Microsoft 365 point-in-time data recovery – a must for the hybrid workforce and modern workplace. Don’t risk debilitating Microsoft 365 data loss – try a free, full-feature, 15-day trial of Microsoft 365 backup now!
