Managed IT Support - Microsoft Word or Google Docs: Balancing Powerful Features with Smooth Partnership
How much do you require out of a word processing program? With Microsoft Word or Google Docs, it depends upon what you are trying to accomplish.
When thinking about whether your organization ought to utilize Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, the distinction in between each's data processing applications could be the make or break element.
Microsoft Word and Google Docs both act as cloud-connected composing centers, but the importance of your documents could shape your choice.
As users will see throughout M365 and Workspace, the distinction between desktop and web apps has to do with balancing some of Microsoft's much deeper functions and Google's focus on collaboration.
In this post, we will look at the distinctions in between Word and Docs, breaking down how the benefits and downsides of each could impact your workflow.
Prices
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace are priced per user, monthly, and have various tiers of rates. As it refers to Word and Docs, the difference in tiers normally just affects storage area and schedule of the Word desktop app.
The desktop apps are not offered through Microsoft's Business Basic strategy ($ 5/user/month), so users at that level will have to be satisfied with Word Online.
Microsoft uses 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 comes with all its web apps. Google does not have downloadable desktop apps, and all must be lacked a web internet browser.
As for how much drive storage is available throughout all these memberships, see the graphic listed below:
A grid showing the prices and storage capabilities of Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
Text documents are not most likely to make much of a damage in your general storage, other than maybe on Google's starter plan with only 30 GB of drive storage.
One TB of space on Microsoft's the majority of inexpensive offering would be more than enough to house all of your Word documents and plenty more.
In general, the features throughout both M365 and Workspace will identify which among these rates works for you.
Functions
Google Docs is an excellent application for college students who wish to be able to compose standard documents with little formatting that they can access from anywhere they have an internet connection.
Anything more than that, and Docs does not hold a candle to the power of Word. It all comes down to if Docs suffices.
Docs does have some functions that Word online does not, like the capability to edit text styles that you use regularly, along with an insertable tabulation.
The desktop version of Word has all the features missing out on from managed it services gold coast its online offering, indicating they must be included after the collaborative element of the document is finished.
Google's offering does not permit for specific modifications 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 style easy, as the user just requires to replace placeholder text and images, and input brand name colors.
With the assistance of artificial intelligence, Word Ideas will use all its additional functions to help users create the very best document possible. This consists of the layout and writing in total.
Ideas may recommend a header format rather of manually bolding and centering text. Text ideas may be to remove lingo or abbreviations in favor of clearer wording.
Think about this as the next generation of spellcheck, as it does more than just right grammar, making your voice clearer.
Maybe most notably, Word and its desktop apps use functionality across platforms. Those utilizing Microsoft 365 can quickly integrate their PowerPoint slides, Excel sheets and graphs, and other media from the M365 suite into their documents, and vice versa.
Furthermore, as soon as documents reach a particular length, like when it comes to research or manuscripts, Google Docs becomes weighed down. Word is more proficient at dealing with long-form files without lag.
Thinking about that numerous businesses are already using variations of Microsoft applications, this enables better crossover when dealing 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, and that can be seen throughout M365 and Workspace as a whole.
Cooperation
The applications within Microsoft 365 were developed as individual, fully formed programs, with the capability of online cooperation added later in their life. Google Workspace was built with cooperation in mind, leaving some of the heftier functions behind.
Both offerings can be modified by several people simultaneously, saving to the chosen drive almost immediately.
Word lags slightly in contrast to Docs, particularly when working out of the desktop app. Initially, it was not possible to send a collaborative link in Word online, but that function has actually since been added.
It is also easier to share files quickly through Docs, and the ability to change authorizations for other users appears immediately when attempting to share.
That feature is just a bit harder to reach with Microsoft, and you should save the file to OneDrive to prevent versioning problems.
While the gap isn't as large as some will make it appear, Google Docs is absolutely better for collaborating within companies. It is very important to keep in mind that you may run into compatibility problems with other companies that do not utilize Docs. Though Google has said it will roll out compatibility with Microsoft files considering that the launch of their web apps, they are yet to deliver on that pledge.
Considered that cooperation has been a focal point throughout COVID-19, anticipate both suites to continue to focus on growing in this area.
Verdict
So, how much does a service requirement in their word processing program? It depends upon the intensity of your documents.
If your organization exports longer manuscripts for exclusive research or utilizes really specific formatting, you'll definitely need Microsoft Word. If your organization is sending files to other services, Word and 365 ought to guarantee compatibility.
Keep in mind that the word processors are only one piece of the Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace productivity suites.
It is likely that you are not making your decision based exclusively on these applications, but the functions found on Word could be absolutely 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 continued our collaboration until today day.