Q. What’s the difference between Microsoft Exchange and Office 365?
A. Office 365 includes Exchange Online – a cloud hosted version of the familiar Exchange. This version is managed and maintained by Microsoft themselves in their world-wide network of datacentres so you don’t have to worry about configuring, updating or maintaining the software yourself. Check out Microsoft 365 demo site
Q. What are the differences between Office 365 and the original Microsoft Office that I already use?
Office 365 is a cloud-based bundle that also includes Word, Excel, Powerpoint etc. along with Exchange Online, Sharepoint Online, OneDrive for Business and Lync. The key difference though is with Office 365 you can choose a number of different ways to access and use those applications. This includes installing them on your PC or Mac the way you did previously, but also accessing them from any browser or from a tablet or smartphone. They also include some advanced collaboration features that aren’t available in the stand-alone version.
Q. I already own copies of the traditional Microsoft Office suite – can I use those with Office 365?
A. You can use existing copies of Microsoft Office 2007 or later, however Office 2007 will have some limited functionality with Office 365. You can combine Office 365 licences that don’t include a downloadable copy of Office with those that do to minimise your costs as long as all your licences are in the same category. i.e. Small Business, Mid-Sized Business etc
Q. What are the differences between all the Office 365 plans
A. There are 3 business types of plans catering to:
- Small Business: This is a bundle consisting of the traditional Office elements, plus Exchange Online, Sharepoint Online, OneDrive for Business and Lync. You are limited to 25 users and you can choose whether you want to included downloadable and installable versions of Office or just use online versions.
- Mid-Sized Business: These plans are similar to the Small Business plans, but include up to 300 users with some more advanced features like Active Directory integration
- Enterprise: These are the most comprehensive plans and can be used by any sized business with no limits on the number of users. They include a number of advanced features including archiving and legal hold, compliance tools and advanced voice capabilities.
Download Microsoft Office 365 brochure for a better understanding of this great service for your business.
