When looking for a productivity suite there are usually two main players that tend to dominate the market, Google G Suite and Microsoft 365. So, which one should you opt for? 

When it comes to productivity, these cloud-based platforms offer your business many capabilities to collaborate and grow, and anyone who has made the switch from Google Docs to Word, or vice versa, knows that there are several differences that you need to consider. With many opting for G Suite as a starting point we reckon that comparatively it is Microsoft that offers more for growing businesses. In this article we highlight some of the reasons why we think you should migrate from G suite to Microsoft 365.

Ease of use and familiarity

With Microsoft 365, you get a host of desktop apps that are familiar and easy to use. In its most recent iteration, Word, Excel, and other productivity apps are all available as desktop versions that seamlessly integrate with their cloud-based counterparts. Use them through the cloud or offline at a desktop computer, depending on the environment. You can even work offline in Outlook, setting up rules and procedures for sending emails as soon as you get back online. 

It is worth noting that you receive limited functionality with G Suite and run the risk of outgrowing the solution.

Better ability to scale

As your business grows you hope that the software solutions you have implemented grow with you. This is where Microsoft 365 takes the lead over G Suite. The ability to scale is a key factor with centralised security and admin features built into the design. This gives you the ability to manage your workforce from a central location.  This is thanks to integration with several offerings from Microsoft including everything from Azure to Dynamics CRM.  

Teams chat also integrates easily with Office apps which is something that has no direct equivalent in Google G Suite.

Better ecosystem

When it comes to Microsoft 365, you get a range of business applications including Office Outlook, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, OneDrive for Business, Yammer, Stream, Calendar, Planner, Dynamics 365 and much more. It is also worth mentioning that in some enterprise bundles you also get the added benefit of the Power Platform. They are integrated with each other providing much better communication and collaboration ecosystem. As well as all of this, your mobile and desktop apps are always synced. 

Support

When comparing support services, both Google and Microsoft offer 24×7 support where technical support can be requested via email and chat.  

Google’s general help area and learning center are intended for general users (non-administrators). Similarly, Microsoft provides Office 365 Training Centre, Help & Training Area, and Office 365 forums. You can gain access to certified Microsoft specialists and Google experts if you need support. 

Looking at support plans, Google offer a four-hour response time for high-priority issues with Microsoft offering one-hour response times in the basic subscription plan. If we were to put these options side by side Microsoft comes out on top with better support options.

Security and Threat Protection

As you would expect security is not taken lightly when it comes to both productivity solutions. Google is known for its huge network of data centres with full monitoring of its hardware, whereas Microsoft has always been known to have the highest security standards and international compliances.  

It is evident that both solutions have a lot to offer but something that gives Microsoft the edge is the range of threat protection tools you have. You get Microsoft 365 Defender that leverages the Microsoft 365 security portfolio to automatically analyse threat data across domains and build a picture of an attack on a single dashboard. Microsoft Defender for Office 365 helps organisations secure their enterprise with a set of features to protect email, and Office 365 resources. 

There’s also Microsoft Endpoint Manager, a management and security service that is made up of several existing products brought together to provide a new solution. Microsoft Endpoint Manager allows organisations to manage their data and devices securely in the cloud and on-premises. 

You also get Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) which offers a much higher level of security over G Suite’s two-factor authentication.

If you are looking for a reliable service provider to help you switch your business from Google to Microsoft, or fulfil any other IT-related services, contact our team who can help.