Managed IT Support - Microsoft Word or Google Docs: Balancing Powerful Includes with Smooth Cooperation
Just how much do you require out of a word processing program? With Microsoft Word or Google Docs, it depends upon what you are attempting to accomplish.
When thinking about whether your service should use Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, the distinction in between each's word processing applications could be the make or break aspect.
Microsoft Word and Google Docs both serve as cloud-connected writing centers, but the importance of it services for mining your documents could form your choice.
As users will see across M365 and Workspace, the distinction in between desktop and web apps has to do with stabilizing some of Microsoft's much deeper functions and Google's concentrate on cooperation.
In this post, we will look at the distinctions between Word and Docs, breaking down how the benefits and drawbacks of each could impact your workflow.
Prices
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace are priced per user, monthly, and have different tiers of prices. As it relates to Word and Docs, the difference in tiers usually only impacts storage space and accessibility 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 need to be satisfied with Word Online.
Microsoft provides its apps for as low as $8.25/ user/month, but users then lose out on other functions like Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Exchange Online.
On the other hand, 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 browser.
As for how much drive storage is available throughout all these memberships, see the graphic listed below:
A grid revealing the prices and storage capabilities of Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
Text documents are not likely to make much of a dent in your general storage, except possibly on Google's starter plan with only 30 GB of drive storage.
One TB of space on Microsoft's most low-cost offering would be ample to house all of your Word documents and plenty more.
In general, the functions across both M365 and Workspace will figure out which one of these prices works for you.
Functions
Google Docs is an excellent application for college students who wish to be able to write standard papers with little format that they can access from anywhere they have an internet connection.
Anything more it solutions for healthcare industry than that, and Docs does not hold a candle to the power of Word. All of brisbane support worker jobs it boils down to if Docs is enough.
Docs does have some features that Word online does not, like the capability to edit text styles that you use consistently, along with an insertable tabulation.
The desktop variation of Word has all the functions missing from its online offering, implying they should be added after the collaborative element of the document is completed.
Nevertheless, Google's offering does not permit particular adjustments to paragraph spacing or paragraph marks at all.
Word likewise has a deep library of templates that help to produce the most aesthetically striking files you can. This makes style simple, as the user just requires to replace placeholder text and images, and input brand name colors.
With the help of artificial intelligence, Word Ideas will utilize all its additional features to help users create the best document possible. This consists of the layout and writing in total.
Concepts may recommend a header format instead of manually bolding and centering text. Text suggestions might be to remove jargon or abbreviations in favor of clearer wording.
Consider this as the next generation of spellcheck, as it does more than simply right grammar, making your voice clearer.
Possibly most notably, Word and its desktop apps use performance throughout platforms. Those using Microsoft 365 can easily incorporate their PowerPoint slides, Excel sheets and charts, and other media from the M365 suite into their files, and vice versa.
Additionally, when documents reach a certain length, like in the case of research or manuscripts, Google Docs becomes weighed down. Word is more skilled at managing long-form documents without lag.
Considering that many companies are already utilizing versions of Microsoft applications, this enables better crossover when working with other business.
M365 users will likely have less issues opening documents from other companies, 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 even more functions than a web app, and that can be seen across M365 and Workspace as a whole.
Collaboration
The applications within Microsoft 365 were built as specific, fully formed programs, with the ability of online partnership added later in their life. Google Workspace was constructed with collaboration in mind, leaving some of the heftier features behind.
Both offerings can be edited by several people concurrently, saving to the chosen drive nearly instantaneously.
Word lags a little in comparison to Docs, specifically when working out of the desktop app. Originally, it was not possible to send a collaborative link in Word online, however that feature has considering that been added.
It is likewise much easier to share files quickly through Docs, and the ability to alter consents for other users appears immediately when trying to share.
That feature is just a bit harder to reach with Microsoft, and you must conserve the file to OneDrive to prevent versioning problems.
While the gap isn't as big as some will make it seem, Google Docs is definitely much better for collaborating within business. It is essential to bear in mind that you may encounter compatibility problems with other companies that do not use Docs. Though Google has stated it will present compatibility with Microsoft files considering that the launch of their web apps, they are yet to provide on that promise.
Considered that partnership has been a focal point during COVID-19, anticipate both suites to continue to focus on growing in this location.
Decision
If you normally only remember or write short internal files, it may behoove you to make the most of the collaborative aspects of Google Docs.
If your service exports longer manuscripts for exclusive research study or uses really specific formatting, you'll absolutely require Microsoft Word. If your company is sending out files to other services, Word and 365 should ensure compatibility.
Bear 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 features discovered on Word could be absolutely necessary and force you toward 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 continued our collaboration up until today day.