Total Cloud: Microsoft Office 365 or Hosted Cloud Desktop?

You’ve made the decision to take your business full cloud. What’s the next step? You have to choose the cloud delivery tool that’s most appropriate for your business. You know your business better than anyone, and choosing the best cloud software and services depends largely on which applications your business uses to operate. Remote access to your data is great, but what programs are vital for your business operations? Answering that question is the key to choosing the right product for your business, and it’s your next step toward full cloud computing.

The question is not so different from the decision you make when you dine out. Do you choose the buffet, or do you order an entree? Microsoft Office 365 is the entree. You know exactly what you want, and it’s all Microsoft. The hosted cloud desktop is the buffet. You need a variety of programs to run your business, and limiting yourself to Microsoft offerings will not fill your plate.

When is Microsoft Office 365 the Ideal Choice?

Going full cloud with Office 365 means you get access to Microsoft products and services through on online portal. Basically, you’re getting the Microsoft Office suite fully hosted in the cloud. You can choose from one of several bundled packages, each offering a different combination of Microsoft software and services. If cost is your biggest concern, you will appreciate being able to choose a subscription that includes only the Microsoft applications that your business uses. Nobody likes to pay for programs they don’t need.

Choosing the most common Office 365 package means you and your employees can access, edit, and create Microsoft Office documents anywhere you have an internet connection. But what about your accounting program? And how will you remotely access your CRM application? If you’re using Office 365, the answer is you won’t. If the software you need to access is not made by Microsoft, you can forget about full cloud computing with Office 365. For businesses that largely function with Microsoft Office, that’s no sacrifice at all. But if you depend on applications that are not Microsoft products, Office 365 will not enable you to make a full cloud conversion; you will need a hosted desktop solution to go full cloud.

How About a Hosted Cloud Desktop?

Using a hosted cloud desktop means that you can access your entire desktop, with all its applications, from any device with an internet connection. Your Microsoft Office Suite will be available to you, and so will all your other programs. Another advantage is personalization; your desktop will look familiar because it will appear exactly as it does on your PC.

A cloud delivery tool is a surprisingly simple solution, and your business won’t even need an in-house staff member with IT knowledge. In addition, you won’t have to replace your PC’s or handheld devices as often when you use a hosted cloud desktop because most of the machines’ work will be done on the cloud. The hardware savings don’t end there. Another advantage of a hosted desktop means you will never again have to upgrade your servers; you won’t even have to own one! You can easily offset the cost differential between Office 365 and a hosted cloud desktop when you downsize your IT staff and/or adjust your asset replacement schedule.

One powerful and popular cloud desktop service is OS33. A cloud delivery trailblazer, OS33 first hit the market in 2010, and it’s still innovating and going strong in today’s market. You will need an experienced and professional IT company to set up and service your hosted cloud desktop. Choosing the right IT company means you will have the benefit of personalized service, without having to navigate the bureaucracy of Microsoft’s customer service department, automated or otherwise.

When it comes to total cloud computing, one solution is not a perfect fit for every business. The decision between Microsoft Office 365 and a hosted cloud desktop will set the direction of your business’s IT future. Both options will mean that you and your employees are always one internet connection away from fully remote access to your data and software. The improvements in efficiency and convenience that come with a full cloud conversion are only a step away, and the decision process does not have to be difficult. Careful consideration of the applications that fuel your business operations will make your choice simple.