Introduction
Although Microsoft 365 was first launched in July 2017, there has been a recent surge in interest as more and more organisations have been making the move to Microsoft’s integrated platform. As the number of inquiries increases, one of the most common questions we get is “What is the difference between Office 365 and Microsoft 365?”
Microsoft 365 is so named to symbolise the stepping stone from Office 365. To explain the difference, we considered providing a ‘this vs that’ comparison but Microsoft 365 is more about an evolution. This evolution encompasses the evolution of Microsoft, the modern workplace and your own digital evolution. Before we get into that however, we will provide the short version.
The Short Version: Office 365 vs Microsoft 365
Office 365 is a cloud-based suite of productivity apps that includes tools such as Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and OneDrive. Microsoft 365 on the other hand is an integrated platform that brings together Office 365, Windows 10 and Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS). EMS is an intelligent security and management platform that is designed to help companies to further empower their employees while also increasing security. It is this component that makes Microsoft 365 a more complete and secure solution. In all, Microsoft 365 isn’t a comparison but an enhancement of your Office 365 package.
The Evolution of the Modern Workplace
To fully appreciate all that Microsoft 365 has to offer, it pays to consider the evolution of the modern workplace. Since the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) movement began in 2009, the modern workplace has been rapidly changing. All types of devices are being brought into the workplace, not just those that are company-owned. The modern employee expects greater flexibility and the ability to access information from anywhere. This has led to businesses allowing employees greater connectivity to business information. This ranges from allowing access to emails through iPhones to empowering employees to work remotely.
Modern-day workplace flexibility is a hugely beneficial development. Employees are happier and more productive while companies can select from a more widespread pool of talent. However, there are also challenges in terms of security and cloud mis-management. This is where companies are utilising inefficient means to solve a myriad of problems around security, provisioning and SSO. Another common issue is the trade-off that companies are being forced to make between empowering their employees and protecting company data. Frequently, this trade-off involves leaning slightly to one side over the other, often to the detriment of progress. With Microsoft 365, Microsoft’s solution to this complex issue was to place the user at the centre of the online universe. In doing so, bringing together all devices, apps and data into a single, more secure cloud-solution.
Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS) – The Fundamental Difference
The modern workplace has placed greater emphasis on security. This was highlighted in a 2018-2019 EY Global Information Security Survey which shared several incredible statistics.
- 4 Billion – The number of fake emails sent per day.
- 1,946,181,599 – The total number of records containing personal data comprised in a 13-month period in 2017/2018.
- US$3.62m – The average cost of data breach in 2018.
Heightened security is the fundamental difference between utilising Office 365 and the more complete Microsoft 365 solution. Microsoft 365 brings together Windows 10, described as the “most secure windows ever” with EMS. As an end-to-end solution, EMS offers a comprehensive set of features and unique intelligence across critical end-points in today’s mobile-first, cloud-first world.
- Identity and Access Management – Protect user identities and control access to valuable resources. This includes proactively preventing compromised identities from being abused.
- Information Protection – Ensure documents and emails are only seen by authorised personnel.
- Threat Protection – Protect against advanced threats and recover quickly when attacked.
- Security Management – Help manage security controls, workflows and policies to improve the security posture of your organisation.
Taking the Next Step in Your Own Digital Evolution
Office 365 is a powerful platform and a critical step in your organisation’s digital transformation. However, with Microsoft 365, you can accelerate your digital transformation, empower your users, and protect your organisation even further. As you continue on your own digital evolution, the move to Microsoft 365 becomes a question of when and not if. Digital transformation is an ongoing project for everyone. Microsoft 365 has become the stepping stone towards a more secure future.
Office 365 is a powerful platform and a critical step in your organisation’s digital transformation. However, with Microsoft 365, you can accelerate your digital transformation, empower your users, and protect your organisation even further. As you continue on your own digital evolution, the move to Microsoft 365 becomes a question of when and not if. Digital transformation is an ongoing project for everyone. Microsoft 365 has become the stepping stone towards a more secure future.
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