Managed IT Support - Microsoft Word or Google Docs: Balancing Powerful Features with Seamless Partnership
How much do you require out of a word processor? With Microsoft Word or Google Docs, it depends upon what you are attempting to achieve.
When considering whether your business needs to utilize Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, the distinction in between each's data processing applications might be the make or break factor.
Microsoft Word and Google Docs both work as cloud-connected writing hubs, but the importance of your documents could shape your decision.
As users will see throughout M365 and Workspace, the distinction between desktop and web apps has to do with stabilizing some of Microsoft's deeper features and Google's concentrate on collaboration.
In this post, we will take a look at the distinctions between Word and Docs, breaking down how the advantages and downsides of each might impact your workflow.
Rates
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace are priced per user, monthly, and have different tiers of pricing. As it pertains to Word and Docs, the difference in tiers usually just impacts storage space 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 need to be satisfied with Word Online.
Microsoft uses its apps for as low as $8.25/ user/month, however users then lose out on other functions like Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Exchange Online.
On the other hand, every Google Workplace membership includes all its web apps. Google does not have downloadable desktop apps, and all must be run out of a web browser.
As for just how gold coast managed service provider much drive storage is readily available across 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 most likely to make much of a dent in your overall storage, except maybe on Google's starter plan with only 30 GB of drive storage.
One TB of space on Microsoft's a lot of low-cost offering would be more than enough to house all of your Word documents and plenty more.
Overall, the features across both M365 and Workspace will determine which among these rates works for you.
Features
Not every business requires detailed features for composing documents, however if you utilize your word processing program to write more than one-page reports, there is an opportunity you will.
Google Docs is a terrific application for university student who want to be able to compose basic documents with little formatting that they can access from anywhere they have a web connection.
Anything more than that, and Docs does not 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 ability to edit text styles that you use consistently, as well as an insertable table of contents.
The desktop version of Word has all the features missing from its online offering, meaning they ought to be included after the collective aspect of the file is completed.
Google's offering does not allow for specific changes to paragraph spacing or paragraph marks at all.
Word likewise has a deep library of design templates that help to create the most visually striking files you can. This makes design basic, as the user only requires to replace placeholder text and images, and input brand colors.
With the aid of artificial intelligence, Word Ideas will make use of all its additional features to help users produce the very best document possible. This includes the layout and writing in total.
For example, Ideas may suggest a header format rather of manually bolding and focusing text. Text ideas 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 simply correct grammar, making your voice clearer.
Maybe most importantly, Word and its desktop apps use functionality across platforms. Those utilizing Microsoft 365 can easily integrate their PowerPoint slides, Excel sheets and graphs, and other media from the M365 suite into their documents, and vice versa.
In addition, when files reach a certain length, like in the case of research study or manuscripts, Google Docs becomes weighed down. Word is more skilled at handling long-form documents without lag.
Considering that numerous organizations are already utilizing variations of Microsoft applications, this permits much better crossover when working with other companies.
M365 users will likely have less concerns opening documents from other business, 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 capability to house much more functions than a web app, which can be seen across M365 and Workspace as a whole.
Collaboration
The applications within Microsoft 365 were built as individual, totally formed programs, with the ability of online partnership added later on in their life. Google Workspace was constructed with partnership in mind, leaving some of the heftier features behind.
Both offerings can be edited by several people concurrently, saving to the selected drive nearly instantaneously.
Word lags a little in comparison to Docs, especially when working out of the desktop app. Initially, it was not possible to send out a collective link in Word online, however that function has actually considering that been added.
It is likewise simpler to share files quickly through Docs, and the capability to alter approvals for other users appears immediately when trying to share.
That function is just a bit harder to reach with Microsoft, and you should conserve the file to OneDrive to avoid versioning concerns.
While the space isn't as big as some will make it appear, Google Docs is certainly better for collaborating within companies. It is very important to keep in mind that you may encounter compatibility concerns with other companies that do not use Docs. Though Google has said it will roll out compatibility with Microsoft files since the launch of their web apps, they are yet to deliver on that promise.
Given that partnership has actually been a focal point during COVID-19, expect both suites to continue to concentrate on growing in this location.
Decision
So, just how much does a company need in their word processing program? It depends on the intensity of your files.
If you typically only take notes or compose short internal files, it might behoove you to make the most of the collective elements of Google Docs.
If your service exports longer manuscripts for proprietary research or utilizes very specific formatting, you'll definitely need Microsoft Word. If your company is sending documents to other businesses, Word and 365 must guarantee compatibility.
The word processors are just one piece of the Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace performance suites.
It is most likely that you are not making your choice based exclusively on these applications, however the functions found on Word might be definitely essential and require you towards M365.
IT Support Guys has 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 collaboration up until today day.
