Managed IT Support - Microsoft Word or Google Docs: Balancing Powerful Includes with Smooth Collaboration
How much do you need out of a word processor? With Microsoft Word or Google Docs, it depends upon what you are trying to achieve.
When considering whether your organization needs to utilize Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, the distinction in between each's word processing applications could be the make or break element.
Microsoft Word and Google Docs both work as cloud-connected composing hubs, but the value of your documents might form your decision.
As users will see throughout M365 and Workspace, the difference between desktop and web apps is about balancing some of Microsoft's much deeper features and Google's concentrate on partnership.
In this post, we will take a look at the distinctions between Word and Docs, breaking down how the benefits and drawbacks of each might affect your workflow.
Pricing
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace are priced per user, per month, and have different tiers of rates. As it pertains to Word and Docs, the difference in tiers generally just impacts storage area and availability of the Word desktop app.
The desktop apps are not readily available 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, but users then lose on other functions like Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Exchange Online.
Meanwhile, every Google Workplace subscription features all its web apps. Google does not have downloadable desktop apps, and all must be run out of a web browser.
When it comes to how much drive storage is available across all these memberships, see the graphic below:
A grid showing the prices and storage capabilities of Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
Text files are not most likely to make much of a damage in your general storage, except possibly on Google's starter plan with only 30 GB of drive storage.
One TB of area on Microsoft's many inexpensive offering would be ample to house all of your Word documents and plenty more.
Overall, the features throughout both M365 and Workspace will figure out which one of these prices works for you.
Features
Not every company needs comprehensive features for writing documents, but if you use your word processing program to compose more than one-page reports, there is a chance you will.
Google Docs is a fantastic application for college students who wish to be able to write standard documents with little formatting that they can access from anywhere they have an internet connection.
Anything more than that, and Docs doesn't hold a candle to the power of Word. All of it boils down to if Docs suffices.
Docs does have some features that Word online does not, like the ability to edit text designs that you use regularly, in addition to an insertable table of contents.
However, Google's offering does not allow for particular 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 files you can. This makes design simple, as the user only needs to replace placeholder text and images, and input brand name colors.
With the assistance of artificial intelligence, Word Ideas will utilize all its additional functions to help users it services for mining create the best document possible. This consists of the layout and composing in overall.
Concepts might suggest a header format instead of by hand bolding and focusing text. Text ideas might be to eliminate jargon or abbreviations in favor of clearer phrasing.
Think of this as the next generation of spellcheck, as it does more than simply correct grammar, making your voice clearer.
Maybe most importantly, Word and its desktop apps use 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 files, and vice versa.
Additionally, when documents reach a particular length, like in the case of research study or manuscripts, Google Docs ends up being weighed down. Word is more adept at managing long-form files without lag.
Considering that numerous organizations are currently utilizing variations of Microsoft applications, this allows better crossover when working with other business.
M365 users will likely have less concerns opening documents from other companies, a million of which likewise utilize Word worldwide.
When it concerns functions, Word and all of Microsoft 365 will take the crown.
Desktop apps have the capability to house far 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 individual, fully formed programs, with the ability of online cooperation included later in their life. Google Workspace was built with cooperation in mind, leaving https://squareblogs.net/repriaullq/enhancing-mining-performance-and-security-with-managed-it-solutions-p5k6 some of the heftier features behind.
Both offerings can be edited by numerous individuals concurrently, saving to the picked drive almost instantaneously.
Word lags a little in comparison to Docs, particularly when working out of the desktop app. Originally, it was not possible to send out a collective link in Word online, but that feature has actually considering that been included.
It is likewise easier to share files rapidly through Docs, and the ability to alter authorizations for other users appears right away when attempting to share.
That function is simply a bit harder to reach with Microsoft, and you must save the file to OneDrive to avoid versioning problems.
While the space isn't as large as some will make it seem, Google Docs is certainly better for collaborating within business. It is very important to remember that you may run into compatibility concerns with other companies that do not utilize Docs. Google has stated it will roll out compatibility with Microsoft files considering that the launch of their business it support team web apps, they are yet to provide on that pledge.
Given that collaboration has actually been a focal point during COVID-19, expect both suites to continue to focus on growing in this location.
Decision
So, just how much does a company need in their word processor? It depends on the intensity of your files.
If you normally only take notes or compose short internal documents, it may behoove you to benefit from the collective elements of Google Docs.
If your company exports longer manuscripts for proprietary research or uses very specific format, you'll absolutely need Microsoft Word. If your organization is sending files to other organizations, Word and 365 should guarantee 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 entirely on these applications, but the functions discovered on Word might be definitely required and require 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 collaboration until the present day.