Businesses are implementing new ways of working to increase efficiency and productivity. These changes have never been more important as their adoption has increased exponentially over the past two years, as a result of the shift to hybrid and remote work models. Organisations need solutions that allow employees to work effectively in these different environments, and having the right tools available for everyone is essential for success.
If you are deciding between Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace (formerly G Suite), it is important to know your business needs to decide which one is best for your company. These tools offer a high-quality experience that can allow them both to meet the requirements of most businesses in today’s technology market.
Google Workplace vs Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace are some of the most popular business productivity suites available today. They aim to provide comprehensive cloud-based apps and services that enhance collaboration, communication, reliability, and security for businesses of all sizes.
Features of both suites include:
- Customised business email
- File-sharing and cloud storage
- Video and chat collaboration solutions
- Business apps to add increased functionality
- Security features.
When choosing which productivity suite will be the best choice for your business, there are key things to consider, as there are some important differences between each suite that can help you make your decision.
Productivity
One of the major issues facing organisations today is how to maintain productivity with a hybrid or remote workforce. Both Microsoft 365 and Google have similar productivity tools that offer flexibility for teams that aren’t always in the same location.
Microsoft’s Office apps such as Word, Excel, and Powerpoint can be accessed via computers, mobile devices, and the web. These include collaborative capabilities such as real-time co-authoring on documents. This enables your team to work together in different locations on one document at the same time – useful when team members are located remotely.
Google Hosts its applications exclusively online, there are no desktop apps, including Docs, Sheets, and Slides. The web versions include real-time authoring capabilities also allowing team members to comment, edit or review changes from any location around the world.
Communication and collaboration
Enabling communication and collaboration is vital in today’s digital business world. Both Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace offer a variety of tools that you can use to collaborate with everyone across your company, from clients to stakeholders.
With an edge over other communication tools, Microsoft Teams can be used for a variety of purposes such as conducting meetings, file sharing, and managing projects. It is ideal for conference use because it enables video conferencing with up to 300 people at the same time. With chat functionality included in this app that runs on PCs, tablets or mobile devices, colleagues are able to communicate instantly with one another within the team’s workspace.
The Google communication tools Chat and Meet are fully integrated with Google Drive, Gmail and other apps. These tools come in handy for scheduling up to 250 people from around the world for video calls or general chats. Calendar synced into Meet is a convenient way of allowing organisers to schedule meetings easily based on their preferred times of day when they are available.
Both Google and Microsoft platforms have similar features that include screen sharing, customising backgrounds, recording meetings, and other tools that make communication and collaboration easy.
Email solutions
Both Gmail and Microsoft Outlook offer custom business email, and allow you to send and receive emails as well as manage and organise them, schedule meetings, or keep track of tasks. You can also sort, group or label your emails in an easier way on both platforms.
Outlook is available both on computers and mobile devices (Android and iOS). Gmail doesn’t have a desktop version and is instead accessible on the web by any device. It also allows you to connect with third-party apps like Calendar and Keep. These apps can enhance its functionality, however, they are separate from the main interface of Gmail, making navigation a less seamless experience.
Security
The risks of cyber-criminals attacking your business are a constant threat, so it is imperative to have security measures in place. Microsoft and Google both take data safety seriously – they regularly update their suites to allow you to confidently access applications, contacts and emails on any internet-connected device, without fear of compromising the safety of your enterprise’s data.
Microsoft 365 has more than 1000 security and privacy controls to meet industry standards. The features include Exchange Online Protection which offers email protection from malware and spam, plus multi-factor authentication for enhanced user safety.
Google Workspace protects your business from phishing and spam, offering two-factor verification and endpoint management. Furthermore, with the Advanced Protection Program for email service, Google can protect your company’s email accounts so only those employees who require access to them will have access – without bringing any risk of phishing or other threats.
How to choose the right platform for your business?
The functionality of both productivity suites is very similar, with the major difference being that Microsoft 365 offers both web and desktop versions, whereas Google Workplace is web-based only, but it does have a Web App feature for Sheets, Docs, Slides which allows users to work offline when needed.
Another big feature of Microsoft 365 is that it offers 1TB of OneDrive storage per user, while Google Workplace storage varies according to the edition you purchase. While both offer security features for your business data, Microsoft’s offering of multi-factor authentication is more reassuring.
Deciding between both suites can be a challenge, as they offer impressive features designed to make your business operations seamless and enhance productivity. Microsoft 365 has the capability both via desktop and web versions to make it the number one choice for organisations who want increased efficiency and collaboration in their business operations.
If you want to make the most out of your Microsoft 365 subscription or if you’re new to the Microsoft world and need some help navigating your options, contact Sydney’s leading Microsoft Gold Partner INTELLIWORX and maximise your Microsoft investment.
