6 Benefits of Microsoft 365 for Remote Workers

6 Benefits of Microsoft 365 for Remote Workers

Remote working was on the rise around the work well before the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s likely to stay as hesitant employers start realising that remote working isn’t just possible – it’s beneficial too. Microsoft 365 has shown itself to be one of the most popular options for remote workers, with plenty of features that support optimal productivity and efficiency while outside the workplace. Here are some of the reasons why it’s such a preferred choice for employees and employers alike.

#1 –Video Calling

 Almost every remote working app has video calling at this point, but the features in Microsoft 365 give their video calling the edge. You can easily host up to 80 people, blur your home background, and even record and transcribe the meeting itself for easy reference.

#2– Chat in Apps

 On this platform, you don’t have to switch in and out of apps as chat messages come in – all Microsoft Teams chats pop up in the app you are using. This means you can chat in your document, video all, message or share your screen without leaving the application you’re working in.

#3– Co-Authoring in Real Time

 This feature takes away an issue commonly experienced in both the workplace and remote working spaces – waiting on document feedback. Rather than having to send documentation for review or physically work together off one device, you can work with your colleagues on a single document in real time on multiple devices. This makes collaboration even simpler than an office environment.

#4– Note Taking

 Meeting notes, brainstorming notes, notes that occur to you at 2 am – they can all be shared online through the platform using OneNote with complete ease. Even content that is written up while a member is offline uploads automatically as soon as they are online again, making them instantly accessible.

In addition, Office Lens allows you to use your mobile as a scanner, allowing you to send high-resolution images of whiteboards, notes, presentations, documentation and more direct to your team and colleagues using your mobile device.

#5– Project Management and Planning

 For project managers, the application has a lot to offer in terms of planning projects, assigning and escalating tasks, and tracking progress. Between features like To Do and Planner, you can fully manage and coordinate your projects remotely online, creating a feature-rich command centre to run projects large and small with ease.

#6– Security

 One of the biggest challenges and risks of remote working is the use of personal devices for work. Personal device are usually not as secure as devices on the office network, and if they are stolen or the employee leaves that job, sensitive information can be lost or compromised. This risk is managed effectively with the application’s mobile device manager, which allows your managed IT services provider or IT team to wipe any data remotely if a device is flagged as compromised.

In addition, the application has advanced threat detection to counter the increase in malware and cyberattacks in Australia and around the world due to the COVID-19 crisis. The app has responded to this with powerful cloud-based email filtering and multi-factor authentication systems, including password and biometric data scanning.

Independent, Cost-Effective Managed IT Services in Australia

Otto IT is a managed IT services provider that’s not affiliated with any software manufacturer. As a result, we can partner with your business to make remote working more effective, more productive and more secure than ever before by suggesting and implementing the best case solutions for your business. We work with small and medium sized businesses in diverse fields to bring the benefits of tech, cloud services, cybersecurity and collaborative tools to you, affordably. Contact us today to find out more.