Microsoft 365 is renowned worldwide for the wide range of productivity solutions it provides. But you likely aren’t utilising every tool it has to offer. While platforms such as Word, Excel, and Outlook are widely known and used, many others are all but forgotten. These often misunderstood solutions can have an enormous impact on your business’ efficiency, security, and collaboration.
If you simply use 365 as an updated version of the original Office suite, you’re missing out on many benefits and setting yourself back from your goals. So here are 5 Microsoft 365 tools hiding at the bottom of your subscription plan that may be more useful than you expected.
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Loop
One of the more recent additions to 365, Microsoft Loop is designed to simplify collaboration on company projects. It allows users to create a shared workspace, making it easier for everyone involved to track the project’s progress and contribute to its creation. Your staff can brainstorm, group tasks together, share content, and receive updates through Outlook or Teams.
This platform is especially useful for remote teams, or projects that take place over multiple departments. It makes collaboration across physical distances much smoother, allowing your employees to work together as if they are in the same room.
Intune
Endpoint protection is essential, but exhausting. As your business grows, and the number of devices with it, this task only becomes more complex. Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based solution designed to address this problem, by providing centralised endpoint management and security.
Using this Microsoft 365 application, you can set security policies, deploy software, and even erase company data if a device is lost or stolen. All of this can be done fully remotely, easing the burden on employees to manage their own devices. This functionality provides even small businesses with enterprise-grade security, reducing the risk of cyber-attacks and data leaks.
Exchange
Outlook is one of the most popular email platforms used by businesses, but it sometimes lacks the functionality needed. Exchange is a server-based service that enables better management of emails, calendars, contacts, and tasks. As with many of Microsoft’s other platforms, it also provides peace of mind with strong security features designed to block spam and malware before they reach inboxes.
Exchange vastly simplifies email management, improving collaboration with both team members and clients. It is a critical tool for any business using Outlook, taking your communications to an entirely new level.
Purview
Microsoft Purview is a set of data governance tools that help you manage risk and maintain regulatory compliance. This Microsoft 365 solution allows you to flag sensitive data, setting policies that automatically block certain actions. You can also set strict access controls that prevent this information from being viewed without authorisation.
Purview integrates well with other platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Outlook, ensuring robust data security across the entire productivity suite. It is one of the better Microsoft 365 services for businesses in highly regulated industries (such as healthcare), as it drastically improves cyber security and lowers your risk of being audited.
Entra ID
Formerly known as Azure Active Directory, Entra ID is a cloud-based identity and access management solution. Features like single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication (MFA), and conditional access policies allow you to easily control permissions and improve your security posture. This is an essential tool for protecting sensitive accounts and data, preventing breaches and protecting your financial future.
Unlock True Productivity With Microsoft 365 Solutions
Microsoft 365’s productivity tools are just the beginning. Your subscription comes with many important solutions that improve file sharing, efficiency, security, and project management. All of the platforms listed here also integrate smoothly with collaborative tools in Office 365, such as Teams and SharePoint online – enabling improved communication, no matter where your team is located. If you have only been using 365 for basic applications such as Word and Excel, you’re missing out on an entirely new level of productivity and success.
Do you need help unlocking the true power of your Microsoft 365 subscription? Austin Technology understands these products inside and out. We sit down with you to understand your business, determine which Microsoft 365 applications you need the most, and then implement them for you. If you’re ready to start making the most of your investment, instead of using it for the bare minimum, discover our expert Microsoft 365 support now.
