Office 365 has been launched by Microsoft to provide a complete productivity suite containing online and offline versions of MS Office, Skype for Business, SharePoint, and Exchange Online. The services that are included in Office 365 are upgraded with every version. Even though there are many changes or modifications made with each version, users may find it difficult to decide before purchasing the Office 365 suite. It is necessary to understand few facts about Office 365 to help users know it better. In this article, you will be learning about 10 things you need to know about Office 365.
1. Cloud Storage
MS Office 365 is referred to be ‘in cloud’ as all the documents associated with it are stored in the Microsoft’s cloud (Windows Sky Drive). Cloud storage is used for an off-site hosting service. Any user can access the Office 365 files from multiple locations or devices and it only requires internet connectivity.
2. Cost and Subscription
There are multiple subscriptions available when users need to use Office 365. If small businesses with 25 or less users need to use Office 365, they can opt for Office 365 Small Business. Similarly, midsize businesses can accommodate with 300 users and Enterprise versions for over 300 users. Office 365 Home Premium costs around $99 per year and users are allowed to work with five PCs or Macs with one subscription.
3. Pre-requisites Needed
A web browser such as internet explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Google Chrome is needed. Hardware requirements are listed:
- 1 GHz processor/Intel Processor (For Macs)
- 1 GB RAM (32 bit) or 2 GB RAM (64 bit)
- Hard disk space 3 GB (Windows) and 2.5 GB (Macs)
4. Applications Included
The applications that are included depend on the type of subscription users has chosen. Most of the plans include MS office word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, OneNote, Publisher, etc. However, the Mac business subscriptions do not include OneNote, Publisher or Access.
5. Compatibility
The files and documents used in Office 365 are compatible with Office 2010 or 2013. These documents may also work in Office 2007 but will lose some functionality. User can use Office Web Apps with these files. Office 365 users working with Office 2013 can share files with other users who does not have office and office 365. These files can be saved in SkyDrive and user will invite other person to view the files without Office.
6. Storage and other Benefits
Office 365 subscriptions not only come with several applications, but it also provides storage space of about 27 GB on its Microsoft Cloud Storage, SkyDrive. In addition, it also provides free website hosting with applicable tools along with 60 free Skype minutes per month to call landline numbers in supported countries. Though Skype to Skype calls are free, but users can use this free minutes when they need to call on landline number. You can also import Outlook PST files in to Office 365 using third party migration tool.
7. Security Feature
Office 365 offers the same level of security options and trust center as provided in the desktop version. With the Rights Management Service (RMS) supports encryption and allows user to set permissions. Some security features of Office 365 are:
- Office 365 applications use encryption and any transmissions cannot be read by unauthorized users
- Office 365 is certified as complaint by accepted industry (ISO) standards
8. Operating system Support
For installation of Office 365 on the system, at least Windows 7 or 8 OS (not on XP or Vista machines) and in case of Mac systems, Office 365 needs minimum of Mac OS X 10.6 or its later versions. Internet connection is needed to install Office 365 and activate or mange the subscription.
9. Who Needs Office 365
Web Apps is available free of cost, but it offers only the basic editing and formatting features. Therefore, it cannot be the substitute for the desktop version of Office 365. However, if user wants to work with the files on multiple devices that do not have Office applications, then Office 365 is the solution. Desktop users need to pay $100 a year for Office, but Office 365 Home Premium users supports up to five devices with one license.
10. Offline Office 365
Though Office 365 data are stored in cloud, the Office 365 applications can also be used in offline mode. User needs to connect to internet every 30 days to maintain the Office 365 subscription.
Conclusion
The content has been focused to learn some facts user needs to know Office 365. Office 365 offers many applications and benefits over desktop versions. Some of the main reasons why user must consider using Office 365 are it allows user to work from any location and any devices to access the office documents. It also keeps the applications updated without the need of updating the applications like desktop versions.