The recent COVID-19 pandemic is a reminder that the usual way of doing things is not guaranteed. Many businesses were caught off-guard, and many are trying to find a solution of disruptions that have led to a standstill. The answer is simple: working remotely from home.
Working remotely is practical, but some businesses are skeptical. Your doubts are understandable, so Team Nexinite is here to lay them to rest.
Here is a comprehensive guide on how you can get back to work remotely with minimal limitations using Microsoft 365.
Microsoft 365 — A Brief Overview
Microsoft 365 is a suite of tools and services designed to facilitate a variety of office tasks. It includes Windows 10, Office 365, and Enterprise Mobility + Security. It has been touted as an all-in-one office services solution, thanks to the wide range of resources and services offered.
Microsoft 365 is driving the remote workforce. It provides all the resources needed to get work done on one platform.
Anticipated Challenges of Working Remotely
Your doubts regarding the efficiency of a remote working plan are valid. It is difficult trying to work out how everything that usually gets done at the office will get done by employees from home. We have met many businesses in this situation. Here is an overview of some of their most worrying challenges:
· Office Network Set-Up
The office has all the resources and stationary necessary to get the work done. Individual employees do not, and most businesses cannot get past this hurdle.
· Collaboration
Work is a team effort that requires collaboration among workers. This seems difficult when every employee is holed at home.
· Security
Cybersecurity is at the top of many businesses’ concerns in light of the recent spate of cyberattacks. Few businesses are willing to conduct their operations remotely on the cloud. This is most companies’ greatest worry, and it is warranted.
Microsoft 365’s Solutions
Microsoft 365 combines all of Microsoft’s premium office solutions and more. It has tools to facilitate everyday office operations.
Microsoft 365 offers a suite of virtual tools to get the work done. Tools include Microsoft Word, Microsoft, Excel, PowerPoint, and more! These tools are guaranteed to get most of the office work done with minimal limitations.
Following is an overview of some basic things you can do when working remotely with Microsoft 365:
· Customize your workspace
Microsoft 365 enables you to create a whole new virtual workspace in minutes. Tools such as Outlook would allow users to shift all their work to one platform. You will be working from home, but the level of organization afforded by M365 is enough to rival working at the office.
· Communicate & collaborate
Microsoft 365 has a range of communication tools for all occasions. Communication options include email, live chat, and live video and voice calls, including conference calls.
Collaboration is also made flawless thanks to the range of collaborative tools that work together on the cloud. Two or more people can work together on one project in real-time by integrating the various work tools with any communication channel.
Case Scenario: Collaborating Via Outlook and OneNote
Suppose you have a team assigned to collaborate on some documents. As the team leader, you can get collaborative emails from other team members via Outlook and automatically convert them into notes using OneNote. You can also share these messages with other team members from the same portal.
What about Security?
The secret to Microsoft 365’s flexibility and versatility is the cloud. This is what makes it so easy for individuals to collaborate remotely. It, however, poses a security risk.
Unlike your closed office network back at the office, the cloud is publicly accessible. This, however, doesn’t mean that anyone can infiltrate your network and steal your data — or worse! Microsoft 365 comes with the latest cybersecurity solutions, and they work. Security solutions offered include:
- Advanced Threat Protection (ATP)
Microsoft’s ATP is a cloud-based email security solution. It filters spam emails sent to your platforms via the cloud. It screens against malware and other threats that may be embedded in emails.
- Data Loss Prevention
This security measure secures your data from unauthorized access — you can choose to keep sensitive information, such as banking details, hidden from unauthorized access. It also regularly backs up sensitive data on a secure cloud storage platform.
- Conditional Access
Conditional access enables you to limit access to certain resources and platforms to select users. It is also coupled with other security measures, such as multi-factor authentication, to reinforce restrictions on unauthorized access.
- Device Management
The flexibility afforded by Microsoft 365 involves, among other things, being able to synchronize the Office suite with all your devices, including mobile gadgets. Microsoft, as such, also provides a range of security measures for mobile gadgets across the board.
Note: Microsoft 365 comes in three versions: Education, Business, and Enterprise. Some services are free, but advanced security measures are premium. You will, as such, need to subscribe to a premium service to unlock all security measures.