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Many organizations have transitioned to Microsoft 365, yet often, they stick to the familiar classics.
Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook, what I refer to as the “core 4” of Microsoft’s suite. These apps have stood the test of time and remain incredibly valuable.
However, there’s a whole array of additional Microsoft 365 Apps – at least 10 of them – that can bring indispensable value to any organization or business.
Let’s explore these Microsoft 365 Apps and show you why your organization should be using them!
Beyond the trusty core 4 of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, Microsoft steps it up with many more applications.
The magic here? They don’t just work together; they’re also cloud-based, which means you can access them from practically anywhere. It’s like a whole new world of tools created to supercharge productivity and make teamwork a breeze.
So, what’s included in Microsoft 365 that can help your organization? Let’s find out…
Let’s start with Teams, which is more than just a chat and meetings app.
Most people have started using this app for the chat feature – real-time one-on-one and group conversations. And another reason organizations switched to Teams was for the meetings option– you’ve got video calls and virtual meetings, which really come in handy when you’re working remotely.
But there is more to Teams than just these two features.
What’s cool is that Teams makes file sharing and working together a breeze.
It plays super nicely with OneDrive and SharePoint, so you can collaborate on documents and always have the latest version on hand.
Teams is also your go-to for project management. You can create special channels just for your projects and even use it with Planner to keep track of tasks. Plus, it links up seamlessly with other Microsoft 365 apps, making it the central hub for your digital workspace.
And here’s the fun part – Teams isn’t just about work. It brings your team together, whether it’s celebrating milestones, hosting virtual get-togethers, or just having a chat.
Teams houses not only your information but all the tools that you use with your team. It’s where you chat, share files, manage projects, and hang out with your team.
OneDrive is like your personal digital safe tucked into Microsoft 365 Apps. It’s where you stash all your important files, documents, and even those cherished photos.
Another bonus to OneDrive is that it syncs everything across your devices, from your computer to your smartphone. It’s like having your stuff follow you around.
And if you ever mess up (who hasn’t deleted a file by accident?), no worries! OneDrive keeps track of versions, so you can dial it back if you need to. It’s the ultimate peace of mind – your data is safe and always there when you need it.
Learn more about OneDrive in our blog on Why Choose OneDrive.
Think of SharePoint as your organization’s secret HQ for collaboration. It’s where you and your team come together to work, share, and store all your important docs.
But it’s not just a document dump – it’s got some slick features. You can control who sees what with access permissions, and if things get messy, you can see who changed what, and when. It’s like your secret weapon for keeping everything organized.
Plus, when you tie it into Microsoft Teams, it’s a game-changer for working together smoothly. SharePoint isn’t just about files; it’s your go-to for teamwork, security, and productivity – keeping your data safe and your projects moving like clockwork.
Alright, let’s talk about Planner and To-Do. They’re like your trusty sidekicks for tackling projects and getting stuff done Just imagine having a clear plan in place, easily assigning tasks and seeing your projects progress seamlessly.
Planner is all about managing your tasks in an organized way. It’s like having a blueprint for your project, and everyone knows what they need to do. No more missed deadlines or confusion – it’s a game-changer for staying on top of things.
To-Do, on the other hand, is your personal task manager. It helps you stay focused and remember what needs your attention. With these two on your side, your projects will run like a well-oiled machine. It’s the secret to a more organized and efficient workflow for any organization.
Microsoft OneNote is your digital notebook, always at your beck and call.
Whether you’re brainstorming, taking meeting notes, or jotting down ideas, OneNote offers a flexible canvas for capturing free-form notes. Rather than using Microsoft Word to document your company procedures or employee manuals, create a digital notebook and share it!
What’s more, it seamlessly integrates with other Office apps, such as Teams and Outlook. This makes it even easier to share and record pertinent information or notes.
Learn more about OneNote in our blog on the Beginners Guide to OneNote.
Let’s chat about Microsoft Lists. It’s like a superhero in the world of organized data. You can create lists for anything, from tracking problems to managing stuff in stock, making it a perfect fit for your organization.
The cool part? You control who sees what, and you can customize how you view your lists. This means your data stays tidy and easy to access. It’s like a secret weapon for your team’s teamwork, making sure everything runs smoothly in your projects.
So, if you want to keep things in order, Lists is the way to go.
Microsoft Bookings is a game-changer for businesses reliant on appointments and schedules.
Whether you run a small service-oriented outfit or manage appointments for a bustling team, Bookings streamlines the entire process.
It enables clients to book appointments directly, getting rid of the tiresome back-and-forth of emails and phone calls. This not only saves time but also elevates the customer experience.
Need to gather feedback, conduct surveys, or collect information from your team or customers?
Microsoft Forms and Polls are your trusty companions.
Create your own custom forms or surveys. Distribute them easily, and collect responses instantly. The data you collect can be analyzed in real-time so you have insights for informed decision-making. It’s a great way to engage your audience and make data-driven choices.
Turn raw data into actionable insights with Power BI. It’s like having a data scientist on your team – but in software form.
With Power BI, you can connect to various data sources, such as spreadsheets, lists, forms, and most of the other Microsoft 365 apps. It’s not just about collecting data; it will make connections with your data and provide with instant reports, lists and more.
Say goodbye to manual tasks that usually require Excel or other programs because Power BI automates them effortlessly.
Your Go-to Toolbox
In a nutshell, Microsoft 365 Apps are your go-to toolbox for getting things done, working together, and keeping your stuff safe. It doesn’t matter if you’re a small startup or a big player – these apps can adjust to your needs. In this digital age, choosing the right tools is crucial, and Microsoft 365 Apps are like a rock-solid foundation for your organization’s success. So, why wait? Jump in and discover the awesome power of these apps today!
Microsoft 365 apps make work easier and teamwork smoother. They offer a variety of helpful tools like creating presentations, organizing tasks, and analyzing data.
You can access your work from anywhere and collaborate with others in real-time. Plus, they always get better with updates and work on different devices.
Check out the table below to see what each app can do for you.
Application Main Functionality Collaboration Features Other benefits
Microsoft Teams The communication and collaboration hub Chat, video calls, file sharing Hub for any of the other Microsoft 365 apps.
SharePoint Document management and intranet Version control, access control Works hand-in-hand with Microsoft Teams
OneNote Your digital notebook Free-form notes, integrates with other Office apps Easy add-on to Microsoft Teams
OneDrive Cloud file storage and sharing Secure file storage, automatic sync Your personal cloud!
Planner Task and project management Task management, integrates with Teams A perfect add-on to Microsoft Teams
Lists Structured data management and collaboration Custom list creation, data tracking Use within Teams and generate with Power BI.
Bookings Simplified appointment scheduling Ties in with your Outlook calendar. No need to pay a subscription for other schedulers.
Forms and Polls Quick data collection and surveys Custom forms and surveys Use internally or externally. Can tie into Microsoft Teams
If the benefits and features of the Microsoft 365 apps did not sell you on their importance, then let’s look at how this translates into why your organization may need these apps.
The table below gives you a simple explanation of each application so you can see how it can help your organizaton.
| App | Why your Organization Needs It |
|---|---|
| Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook | Not sure how you would function without the core 4… Create documents, spreadsheets, presentations and email. |
| Teams | To chat, meet, share documents and any other kind of information you need. |
| SharePoint | For sharing files, document management, securing permissions and more. SharePoint stores the files that you see in Teams. |
| OneNote | To record notes for meetings, manuals, research, projects and more. |
| OneDrive | For replacing the local drives of your staff and securing files within your organization’s infrastructure. |
| Planner | To help keep track of who is doing what. A task management system that you alone can use or you can share within a Team. Ensuring you are on top of everything and that no deadlines are missed. |
| Lists | For creating a place to list information others need to see (or edit). To be used with Teams and/or SharePoint. |
| Bookings | To allow others to schedule an appointment with you. This app connects to your Outlook calendar and lets you customize your availability and type of appointments. |
| Forms and Polls | For gathering feedback and insights from your staff or externally with others that you deal with. |
What is Microsoft Lists is a popular video we have about one of the Microsoft 365 apps. Please click on picture to watch this video or others on our channel.