The 6 best Microsoft 365 apps for businesses

Microsoft is and has been one of the biggest names on the tech market for decades. Delivering a multitude of products, they have asserted themselves as one of the biggest names in the game. Their email service is used by over 400 million people worldwide, making them the third largest email client in the world. However, they are the first when it comes to professional business email. With this in mind, the odds would be in my favor if I guessed that your business used Microsoft as their email client. It is also highly likely you are not using it to it’s full potential. I am of course referring to the Microsoft 365 apps.

One of the most common reasons people sign up to Microsoft 365 email is for their apps. Microsoft offer a vast array of apps which make creating, collaborating, and making contact with collegues and clients so much easy. And with a steady rise in people working from home, the utilization of tools which can enable better and more efficient communication are becoming. increasingly popular. While platforms like Word and PowerPoint are globally recognized, Microsoft has more exceptional apps that can empower your business. So, let’s jump into the six Microsoft 365 apps you didn’t know you needed.

1) The “Office core Microsoft 365 apps”

At the heart of Microsoft 365’s productivity ecosystem lie the Office core apps, a versatile ensemble of software designed to re-invent the way businesses operate. These essential applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, serve as the cornerstone for making work tasks easier and quicker, elevating collaboration, and maximizing efficiency within organizations.

Microsoft Word enables you to create and edit documents with precision, including everything from reports and proposals to newsletters. Excel transforms raw data into actionable insights, allowing the analysis of trends, making informed decisions, and to manage budgets effectively. PowerPoint turns ideas into captivating visual stories, key for presentations that grasp the attention of audiences and convey information in an interesting manner. And with Outlook, businesses can manage emails, appointments, and contacts seamlessly, helping smooth communication and organization. Essentially, the Office core apps are a vital toolkit for businesses who want to not only survive but thrive by enhancing communication, collaboration, and overall productivity.

Peers can review real-time notes on all the apps. This, and many more features, make them the ultimate tools for your business. What’s the best part? Additionally, they are all included when you purchase Microsoft 365 email! This actually stands for all the apps included on this list.

2) Teams

You’re likely familiar with Microsoft Teams, the brand new communication tool that’s rapidly gaining prominence. Teams’ integrated approach positions it to potentially replace Outlook in the future—although that’s not official. Serving as a comprehensive chat-centered platform, Teams gathers all essential tools in one interface, facilitating discussions, projects, and interactions among colleagues, whether they pertain to departments, projects, divisions, or groups. For those accustomed to SharePoint, Teams acts as a front-end interface. It combines the capabilities of Skype for Business, including chat, video, and audio conferencing, while enhancing file sharing and application integration. By creating organized “Channels,” Teams keeps conversations structured, fostering quick exchanges, seamless file management, and integration with other Microsoft 365 apps, all while allowing external sharing and collaboration. Tailoring these “Channels” to match specific discussion topics enhances the efficiency of teamwork.

The main functions of Microsoft Teams are:

• Chats. – Engage in direct discussions with colleagues or groups via Chats. Plus, chat features resemble social platforms, including formatted text, emojis, message prioritization, gifs, etc.
• Sharing files. – Every chat possesses individual file storage, facilitating file sharing, discussion, and co-authoring among members.
• Teams. – Organize discussions by topics, projects, etc. Enjoy full management features including group membership, customization, and more.
• Channels. – Enhance conversation organization/customization. Channels enable side discussions, preventing clutter in main Team conversations from extraneous information.
• Conferencing. – Microsoft Teams app integrates Skype for Business features and more, including meetings and Teams Live Events for large-scale productions.

3) Forms

Microsoft Forms is a versatile tool designed to simplify the process of creating surveys, quizzes, polls, and feedback forms. With an intuitive interface, it empowers businesses to gather valuable insights, opinions, and data from employees, customers, and stakeholders. These responses can be used to make informed decisions, improve products or services, enhance employee engagement, and refine business strategies. The platform allows for easy customization with various question types, themes, and options. As a result, Microsoft Forms becomes an indispensable asset for businesses seeking to streamline feedback collection, assess customer satisfaction, conduct training assessments, or even plan events more effectively. Its seamless integration with other Microsoft 365 apps makes data analysis and collaboration efficient, providing businesses with a comprehensive solution to enhance their operations and decision-making processes.

4) OneDrive for Business

OneDrive for Business combines cloud-based storage, file sharing, synching across devices, and co-authoring. Unlike limited local servers, it offers versatile access and sharing, with each user getting 1TB storage. Sharing is simplified via links, granting control over editing and viewing rights.

Setting up OneDrive mimics local storage, yet syncs with cloud storage (utilizing SharePoint) for secure access. Users choose to store files locally or in the cloud. A “Status” column in File Explorer indicates local storage. Users collaborate on documents simultaneously, discussing changes using OneDrive for Business. Storing files in OneDrive enables real-time, cross-device editing, boosting organizational content productivity and efficiency.

5) Bookings

Microsoft Bookings streamlines appointment scheduling for businesses, simplifying the process for both clients and staff. With an intuitive online platform, businesses can create a personalized booking page that showcases services, availability, and staff members. Clients can easily choose their preferred service, select a suitable time slot, and make appointments, reducing the back-and-forth communication typically associated with scheduling. For businesses, this tool optimizes staff utilization by efficiently allocating time slots, minimizing scheduling conflicts, and enabling seamless management of appointments.

Beyond simplifying scheduling, Microsoft Bookings offers notifications and reminders for clients and staff, ensuring appointments are not missed. The platform integrates smoothly with Microsoft 365 calendars, guaranteeing accurate real-time availability information. Moreover, Bookings provides a comprehensive dashboard for businesses to manage appointments, track customer interactions, and gain insights into appointment trends, aiding in better resource allocation and business decision-making. Whether it’s for salons, healthcare practices, consulting firms, or any service-based industry, Microsoft Bookings empowers businesses to enhance customer experiences, increase operational efficiency, and foster stronger client relationships.

6) Yammer

Yammer functions as an open social network within your organization, akin to Facebook and Twitter. It provides a secure platform for employees to engage in non-work discussions, fostering a strong sense of community. Workplace engagement extends beyond tasks. Yammer facilitates sharing personal milestones and topics like marriage and philanthropy. It enables moderation to align discussions with workplace policies.

Boost engagement, communication, and collaboration. Yammer builds interest communities, gathers feedback, and keeps everyone informed and aligned. Recognize team members and brainstorm new ideas effectively using Yammer’s social capabilities.

To conclude

Microsoft is a power alley to your business. Hopefully now you’ll be able to see some of the possible benefits you haven’t been taking advantage of, and use these tips to elevate your businesses productivity and work flow.