Managed IT Support - Microsoft Word or Google Docs: Balancing Powerful Includes with Seamless Collaboration
Just how much do you need out of a word processor? With Microsoft Word or Google Docs, it depends on what you are trying to achieve.
When thinking about whether your service should use Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, the difference in between each's word processing applications might be the make or break element.
Microsoft Word and Google Docs both function as cloud-connected composing hubs, but the significance of your documents might form your choice.
As users will see across M365 and Workspace, the distinction in between desktop and web apps is about balancing some of Microsoft's much deeper functions and Google's focus on partnership.
In this post, we will take a look at the differences between Word and Docs, breaking down how the benefits and disadvantages of each could impact your workflow.
Pricing
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace are priced per user, each month, and have different tiers of pricing. As it pertains to Word and Docs, the distinction in tiers generally only affects storage area and accessibility of the Word desktop app.
Microsoft provides 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.
Every Google Workplace membership comes with all its web apps. Google does not have downloadable desktop apps, and all must be lacked a web browser.
When it comes to how much drive storage is readily available throughout all these subscriptions, see the graphic below:
A grid revealing the rates 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, other than perhaps on Google's starter strategy with only 30 GB of drive storage.
One TB of space on Microsoft's most affordable offering would be more than enough to house all of your Word files and plenty more.
Overall, the functions throughout both M365 and Workspace will identify which one of these rates works for you.
Features
Not every business needs detailed features for composing files, however if you utilize your word processing program to write more than one-page reports, there is a possibility you will.
Google Docs is a terrific application for college students who want to have the ability to compose 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 business it support brisbane candle to the power of Word. Everything comes down to if Docs is enough.
Docs does have some features that Word online does not, like the capability to modify text styles that you use consistently, as well as an insertable tabulation.
The desktop version of Word has all the features missing out on from its online offering, meaning they should be included after the collaborative aspect of the file is completed.
Google's offering does not allow for particular modifications to paragraph spacing or paragraph marks at all.
Word likewise has a deep library of design templates that help to develop the most visually striking files you can. This makes style easy, as the user only requires to change placeholder text and images, and input brand colors.
With the help of artificial intelligence, Word Ideas will utilize all its additional features to help users produce the best document possible. This consists of the layout and composing in overall.
Ideas might suggest a header format rather of manually bolding and centering text. Text suggestions might be to eliminate jargon or abbreviations in favor of clearer phrasing.
Think about this as the next generation of spellcheck, as it does more than simply proper grammar, making your voice clearer.
Possibly most notably, Word and its desktop apps use performance across 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, as soon as files reach a particular length, like when it comes to research or manuscripts, Google Docs becomes weighed down. Word is more adept at dealing with long-form files without lag.
Considering that many companies are already using versions of Microsoft applications, this permits much better crossover when working with other companies.
M365 users will likely have fewer issues opening documents from other business, a countless which also use Word worldwide.
When it concerns 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, which can be seen throughout M365 and Workspace as a whole.
Collaboration
The applications within Microsoft 365 were constructed as private, fully formed programs, with the capability of online partnership included later on in their life. Google Workspace was constructed with partnership in mind, leaving some of the heftier functions behind.
Both offerings can be edited by numerous people simultaneously, conserving to the picked drive practically instantaneously.
Word lags slightly in contrast to Docs, especially when working out of the desktop app. Initially, it was not possible to send a collective link in Word online, however that function has since been included.
It is also simpler to share documents rapidly through Docs, and the ability to alter authorizations for other users appears immediately when trying to share.
That function is simply a bit harder to reach with Microsoft, and you must conserve the file to OneDrive to avoid versioning concerns.
While the gap isn't as large as some will make it appear, Google Docs is definitely better for collaborating within companies. It is necessary to keep in mind that you might run into compatibility problems with other business that do not utilize Docs. Though Google has said it will present compatibility with Microsoft documents given that the launch of their web apps, they are yet to provide on that guarantee.
Given that collaboration has been a focal point during COVID-19, anticipate both suites to continue to concentrate on growing in this location.
Decision
So, how much does a company need in their word processing program? It depends on the strength of your documents.
If you generally just take notes or compose short internal files, it may behoove you to make the most of the collaborative aspects of Google Docs.
If your business exports longer manuscripts for exclusive research or uses really particular formatting, you'll definitely require Microsoft Word. If your business is sending out documents to other businesses, Word and 365 should guarantee compatibility.
The word processors are only one piece of the Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace efficiency suites.
It is likely that you are not making your choice based exclusively on these applications, but the functions found on Word could be definitely needed and require you towards M365.
IT Support Guys has actually leveraged the power of Microsoft 365 because 2008 when it was still called Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS), and we have actually continued our collaboration up until today day.