Managed IT Support - Microsoft Word or Google Docs: Balancing Powerful Includes with Smooth Collaboration
Just how much do you need out of a word processor? With Microsoft Word or Google Docs, it depends upon what you are attempting to accomplish.
When considering whether your company ought to use Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, the distinction between each's word processing applications might be the make or break factor.
Microsoft Word and Google Docs both act as cloud-connected writing centers, however the value of your documents might shape your choice.
As users will see throughout M365 and Workspace, the difference between desktop and web apps has to do with stabilizing a few of Microsoft's deeper features and Google's concentrate on collaboration.
In this post, we will look at the distinctions between Word and Docs, breaking down how the benefits and downsides of each could impact your workflow.
Rates
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace are priced per user, per month, and have different tiers of pricing. As it pertains to Word and Docs, the distinction in tiers generally just affects storage area and schedule of the Word desktop app.
The desktop apps are not offered through Microsoft's Business Basic strategy ($ 5/user/month), so users at that level will have to be pleased with Word Online.
Microsoft offers its apps for as low as $8.25/ user/month, however users then lose on other functions like Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Exchange Online.
On the other hand, every Google Workplace membership comes with all its web apps. Google does not have downloadable desktop apps, and all must be lacked a web internet browser.
A grid showing the rates and storage abilities of Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
Text documents are not most likely to make much of a damage in your overall storage, except possibly on Google's starter strategy with only 30 GB of drive storage.
One TB of area on Microsoft's most inexpensive offering would be more than enough to house all of your Word files and plenty more.
Overall, the features across both M365 and Workspace will determine which one of these prices works for you.
Features
Not every business requires comprehensive features for composing documents, but if you utilize your word processor to compose more than one-page reports, there is an opportunity you will.
Google Docs is a terrific application for university student who want to have the ability to write standard papers with little format that they can access from anywhere they have a web connection.
Anything more than that, and Docs does not hold it support companies brisbane a candle to the power of Word. It all comes down to if Docs suffices.
Docs does have some features that Word online does not, like the ability to modify text designs that you use consistently, along with an insertable tabulation.
The desktop variation of Word has all the features missing from its online offering, indicating they should be included after the collective aspect of the document is completed.
Nevertheless, Google's offering does not allow for specific changes to paragraph spacing or paragraph marks at all.
Word likewise has a deep library of templates that help to produce the most visually striking documents you can. This makes style simple, as the user just needs to replace placeholder text and images, and input brand name colors.
Ideas might suggest a header format rather of manually bolding and focusing text. Text ideas might be to remove lingo or abbreviations in favor of clearer phrasing.
Think about this as the next generation of spellcheck, as it does more than just right grammar, making your voice clearer.
Possibly most notably, Word and its desktop apps offer performance throughout platforms. Those utilizing Microsoft 365 can quickly incorporate their PowerPoint slides, Excel sheets and charts, and other media from the M365 suite into their documents, and vice versa.
In addition, once files reach a specific length, like when it comes to research or manuscripts, Google Docs becomes weighed down. Word is more adept at handling long-form documents without lag.
Thinking about that lots of businesses are currently utilizing versions of Microsoft applications, this permits much better crossover when working with other business.
M365 users will likely have fewer problems opening documents from other companies, a million of which also utilize Word worldwide.
When it comes to features, Word and all of Microsoft 365 will take the crown.
Desktop apps have the capacity to house even more functions than a web app, and that can be seen throughout M365 and Workspace as a whole.
Cooperation
The applications within Microsoft 365 were built as private, completely formed programs, with the capability of online partnership added later in their life. Meanwhile, Google Workspace was developed with collaboration in mind, leaving a few of the heftier features behind.
Both offerings can be edited by several people concurrently, saving to the picked drive almost instantaneously.
Word lags a little in comparison to Docs, particularly when working out of the desktop app. Initially, it was not possible to send a collaborative link in Word online, but that feature has considering that been added.
It is likewise much easier to share documents quickly through Docs, and the capability to change approvals for other users appears right away when attempting to share.
That feature is simply a bit harder to reach with Microsoft, and you need to conserve the file to OneDrive to avoid versioning issues.
While the gap isn't as large as some will make it appear, Google Docs is definitely better for working together within business. It is important to remember that you might run into compatibility problems with other companies that do not use Docs. Google has said it will roll out compatibility with Microsoft documents because the launch of their web apps, they are yet to provide on that guarantee.
Given that partnership has been a centerpiece during COVID-19, anticipate both suites to continue to focus on growing in this area.
Decision
How much does a service requirement in their word processor? It depends upon the intensity of your files.
If you usually only take notes or write brief internal files, it might behoove you to benefit from the collaborative elements of Google Docs.
If your organization exports longer manuscripts for proprietary research study or uses really specific formatting, you'll absolutely need Microsoft Word. If your business is sending documents to other services, Word and 365 needs to ensure compatibility.
The word processors are only one piece of the Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace productivity suites.
It is most likely that you are not making your decision based exclusively on these applications, but the features found on Word could be definitely necessary and force you toward M365.
IT Support Guys has leveraged the power of Microsoft 365 since 2008 when it was still called Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS), and we have actually continued our partnership up until today day.