The suite of apps and services developed and distributed by Microsoft represents a lifeline for any office, business, individual professional, and organisation. But if you and your teams have experienced some confusion about the difference between Microsoft 365 and Office 365, you are certainly not alone. Indeed, after Microsoft renamed Office subscriptions “Microsoft 365”, many of the current and prospective subscribers were left wondering about the features and functionalities of this software family.
That is why Microsoft Office is now undergoing a major rebranding project to streamline its growing collection of office and productivity apps under the new brand name of “Microsoft 365”.
Although for subscribers, this transition does not imply significant changes, every team might be required to become familiar with a new platform. The experienced managed IT support services provided by the team at Node IT can help with the transition – here’s all you need to know!
Microsoft 365: What You Need To Know
Although Microsoft has been looking to rebrand their software family for years, there are major upcoming changes worth knowing. Starting with the new name of the company’s productivity app suite, which is now Microsoft 365.
Let’s start by looking at the differences between Office 365 and Microsoft 365:
- Office 365 – This cloud-based suite of apps includes key services such as Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Office 365 subscribers also benefit from apps such as Skype for Business, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams.
- Microsoft 365 – This is the new name of a bundle of services that includes all collaboration and productivity apps included in Office 365, as well as Windows 10 Enterprise and EMS.
Thanks to the rebranding projects, all apps will now be available to users under a single licence, but they can also be purchased individually.
When Will The Changes Come Into Effect?
The transition from Office 365 to Microsoft 365 began in 2020, and the new app is being rolled out in stages. However, major changes are now on the way, and businesses should prepare to adopt the new comprehensive platform created by Microsoft.
New changes and updates for the Office App (both on Windows and Mobile) have been released in November 2022 and January 2023, and other modifications and improvements will make their debut later this year.
Ultimately, Microsoft is now in the process of providing a single productivity platform to its customers.
New Features of Microsoft 365
So, what’s new with Microsoft 365? The new comprehensive app offers all the products included in Office 365 and more.
Here are some of the new features teams should look out for:
- A single platform – All Office apps (including Office.com, the Office mobile app, and the Office app for Windows) will be grouped under a single new platform, Microsoft 365. This new app will have a new logo, look, and features.
- All Office apps will be available – Microsoft 365 will provide users with all their iconic productivity apps, including teams, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Loop, and Excel.
- New productivity and cooperation tools – Some new features include a feed of contacts and meetings, custom tagging options, tools to group and organise content, and hubs for document storing and sharing.
Users aren’t required to undergo major changes, as Microsoft is rolling out a plan to convert all content for current and prospective subscribers.
Working With an IT Expert For a Smooth Transition: How Node Can help
Although Microsoft has made it as easy as possible for users to navigate the transition from Office 365 to Microsoft 365, it is important to not underestimate the impact that these changes can have on your business.
Here at Node IT, our team of experienced managed IT support providers can help you ensure a smooth transition. Get in touch with our team at 01767 348007 to get started today.
