Myths about Office 365 and the Cloud

Many employers hit brick walls when it comes to introducing new technology within their business and this usually comes in the form of staff, often the IT department themselves, who have a resistance to change.

Employees are often swayed by the many myths about new and rapidly changing technologies and as an employer you often have the difficult task of changing their perceptions.  From experience, Office 365 often has negative “perceptions” attached to it.

As a Microsoft Cloud Partner PearceIT we thought we would help you to bust a few of these myths so you can then use the information to break down any barriers your staff may have!

Myth #1:  Office 365 is only available online.

the platform is conceptually web-based, but it is able to be used offline, depending on the plan adopted.  Office Desktopclient, OneDrive for Business and Office for iPad or Androidallow users to access their corporate data whilst offline.

Myth #2:  Data in the Cloud is not secure  

Cybercrime is headline news but keeping information in the Cloud is no more insecure than leaving it floating around the office! In actual fact Microsoft invests enormous amount of expert personnel, time and money into ensuring that Cloud security is un-breached.

Office 365 has multi-layer security and a dedicated threat management taken to a level that no private company could replicate.  All data stored in Office 365 is encrypted both in transit and at rest. Enhanced protection is achieved through multi-factor authentication, rights management and mobile device management technologies.

Also Office 365 has a 99.9% service level agreement (SLA) / guarantee and Microsoft’s data centres meet the latest privacy standards, such as HIPAA, FISMA and ISO 27001. Note:  details can be found at the Office 365 Trust Centre.

Myth #3:  Everything has to be moved to the Cloud

Not true! It is unlikely that any business would want to move all of their data at the same time – this would put a lot of pressure on all employees not just the IT department!

Most implementation starts with a hybrid approach, moving one application (for example, email) at a time and expanding form there.  The Cloud is a consistent platform allowing an organisation to control the ebb and flow and respond to its own business demands.

Myth #4:  Moving to the Cloud is too big a task for my business

Yes it’s a daunting prospect but PearceIT provides support and suggested routes for all businesses – regardless of size and complexity.  We can advise on everything from firewall configurations, to reverse proxy requirements, to identity options and to the use of existing tools and processes!

Myth #5:  It’s expensive!

Actually, Office 365 is reasonably priced with the average cost-per-user falling between £3.33 and £15.00 per month (depending on the plan option).  For example, considering elements such as data storage, access and licenses for all products included in a plan, moving in the Cloud can offer high percentage savings over a similar on-premises solution.  Many IT departments assume that hosting everything internally and paying for software upfront will prevent recurring fees, however because Office 365 offers pricing structures it means solutions can be more cost-effective and scalable.  For example, savings can immediately be realised due to the lack of software upgrade fees and daily maintenance!

PearceIT understands that many businesses are often over-awed by the technical jargon, are influenced by the naysayers and put off by the seemingly complex processes involved in adopting a new IT strategy.  To this end PearceIT can confidently recommend the structure and capability offered by the pre-packaged, instantly available and eminently scalable Cloud.  Also, with no capital investment it is an option that is friendly to accountants and partners alike.

PearceIT is a Microsoft Cloud Partner and can provide the full migration of business IT to the Cloud – from design to implementation, as well as offering remote support and hosted application services.

Want to know more?  Give us a call on 01452 222 000