Managed IT Support - Microsoft Word or Google Docs: Balancing Powerful Includes with Smooth Collaboration
When thinking about whether your organization ought to utilize Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, the difference between each's data processing applications could be the make or break factor.
Microsoft Word and Google Docs both work as cloud-connected writing hubs, but the value of your documents might form your choice.
As users will see across M365 and Workspace, the difference in between desktop and web apps is about balancing some of Microsoft's deeper features and Google's concentrate on cooperation.
In this post, we will look at the differences in 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, monthly, and have various tiers of rates. As it pertains to Word and Docs, the difference in tiers usually just impacts storage space and accessibility of the Word desktop app.
The desktop apps are not offered through Microsoft's Business Basic plan ($ 5/user/month), so users at that level will need to be satisfied with Word Online.
Microsoft provides its apps for as low as $8.25/ user/month, but users then lose on other functions like Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Exchange Online.
Every Google Workplace membership comes with all its web apps. Google does not have downloadable desktop apps, and all need to be run out of a web internet browser.
When it comes to just how much drive storage is readily available throughout all these memberships, see the graphic listed below:
A grid showing the prices and storage abilities of Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
Text files are not likely to make much of a damage in your general storage, other than maybe on Google's starter strategy with only 30 GB of drive storage.
One TB of area on Microsoft's the majority of inexpensive offering would be ample to house all of your Word documents and plenty more.
In general, the functions throughout both M365 and Workspace will figure out which among these costs works for you.
Functions
Not every business requires comprehensive functions for composing documents, but if you use 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 wish to have the ability to compose standard papers with little format that they can access from anywhere they have an internet connection.
Anything more than that, and Docs doesn't compare the power of Word. It all boils down to if Docs suffices.
Docs does have some features that Word online does not, like the capability to modify text styles that you use consistently, in addition to an insertable tabulation.
The desktop variation of Word has all the features missing from its online offering, indicating they must be included after the collaborative aspect of the file is completed.
However, Google's offering does not enable specific modifications to paragraph spacing or paragraph marks at all.
Word likewise has a deep library of templates that help to develop the most visually striking documents you can. This makes design basic, as the user just requires to change placeholder text and images, and input brand name colors.
With the aid of expert system, Word Ideas will use all its additional features to help users develop the very best file possible. This includes the design and writing in overall.
Concepts might suggest a header format instead of manually bolding and centering text. Text recommendations might be to remove jargon or abbreviations in favor of clearer wording.
Think about this as the next generation of spellcheck, as it does more than just correct grammar, making your voice clearer.
Perhaps most significantly, Word and its desktop apps offer functionality across platforms. Those using Microsoft 365 can quickly incorporate their PowerPoint slides, Excel sheets and graphs, and other media from the M365 suite into their documents, and vice versa.
Additionally, once files reach a certain length, like in the case of research study or manuscripts, Google Docs ends up being weighed down. Word is more proficient at handling long-form documents without lag.
Considering that many organizations are already using variations of Microsoft applications, this allows better crossover when dealing with other business.
M365 users will likely have fewer concerns opening files from other business, a countless which also utilize Word worldwide.
When it pertains to features, 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.
Partnership
The applications within Microsoft 365 were built as private, completely formed programs, with the capability of online collaboration added later in their life. On The Other Hand, Google Workspace was developed with partnership in mind, leaving some of the heftier functions behind.
Both offerings can be edited by several people simultaneously, saving to the chosen drive practically immediately.
Word lags somewhat in comparison to Docs, specifically when working out of the desktop app. Originally, The original source it was not possible to send out a collective link in Word online, but that function has actually considering that been included.
It is also easier to share files rapidly through Docs, and the ability to alter authorizations for other users appears immediately when attempting to share.
That function is just a bit harder to reach with Microsoft, and you must save the file to OneDrive to avoid versioning issues.
While the space isn't as big as some will make it seem, Google Docs is absolutely much better for teaming up within companies. It is essential to bear in mind that you might run into compatibility problems with other companies that do not use Docs. Google has stated it will roll out compatibility with Microsoft documents considering that the launch of their web apps, they are yet to provide on that guarantee.
Given that cooperation has been a focal point throughout COVID-19, anticipate both suites to continue to concentrate on growing in this area.
Decision
So, how much does an organization requirement in their word processor? It depends upon the strength of your documents.
If you normally only keep in mind or compose brief internal files, it might behoove you to make the most of the collaborative aspects of Google Docs.
If your company exports longer manuscripts for proprietary research study or uses extremely specific formatting, you'll definitely need Microsoft Word. If your organization is sending files to other organizations, Word and 365 ought to ensure compatibility.
It is most likely that you are not making your choice based solely on these applications, but the features discovered on Word could be absolutely necessary and require you towards M365.
IT Support Guys has actually leveraged the power of Microsoft 365 given that 2008 when it was still called Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS), and we have actually continued our partnership till today day.