Protected Trust Blog

Many people seem to be confused by the Microsoft Surface family of products, asking things like: “Is Microsoft Surface Pro a tablet or laptop" or, “Is Microsoft Surface Pro better than a traditional laptop?” Perhaps most importantly, you may have found yourself wondering: "Is a Laptop or Surface Pro the right device for my business and its needs?" To help answer a few of these questions, we thought it would be a good idea to compare the benefits of Microsoft Surface Pro vs laptop computers. So, to find out why a business might want to use Surface devices rather than generic-brand laptops, let's look at three three key factors: Cost Form Factor Collaboration Features 3 Key Differences Between Microsoft Surface Pro and Laptops 1. Microsoft Surface Pro Vs Laptops: Cost One of the first comparison points that people tend to make between devices is cost. After all, if you're going to invest in a new piece of hardware, you want to make sure you'll see a positive ROI. Keep in mind that the cost of a Microsoft Surface will vary based on the specific model you choose and its capabilities—however, at the time of this writing, the base cost of each Surface product is as follows: The Microsoft Surface Go for Business starts at $439 The Microsoft Surface Go for Business with built-in LTE starts at $715 The Microsoft Surface Pro 6 for Business starts at $868 The new Microsoft Surface Pro 7 for Business starts at $849 The Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 for Business starts at $1,722 The new Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 for Business starts at $1,099 The Microsoft Surface Pro LTE starts at $1,420 The new Microsoft Surface Pro X for Business starts at $1,099 On the other hand, a low-end computer with the bare-minimum processing power might run ~$300-$400 in price. On the surface of this price comparison, it looks like the Surface Pro is not as good a deal as a generic laptop. However, there’s much more to a mobile computing device than its price. There are things that the Microsoft Surface Pro (and Surface Go) have to offer that a price-comparable laptop just won’t. While sticking to the budget is certainly important, if you want to achieve the results you're looking for, you need to ensure you're choosing the device with the features and capabilities that actually align with your needs. One main difference between a Surface Pro and traditional laptops is that with laptops, the tech specs you get for the cost can be all over the place depending on the supplier/manufacturer. For example, one high-end $899 laptop might have a dedicated graphics card for processing videos and other graphical data, while another might not. Processor speeds and other features may vary wildly as well. Meanwhile, the Microsoft Surface Pro and Surface Go have standardized features that make them easy to anticipate and integrate into your business’ processes. So, there's no having to guess if a shipment of devices ordered on May 23 will have the same features and capabilities as one ordered on April 23. This way, you can gain peace of mind knowing that all of your employees will have access to the same features and functions they need to get their jobs done effectively—even if some team members were hired at different times than others.  2. Microsoft Surface Pro Vs Laptops: Form Factor The Microsoft Surface family of products is designed to be ultra-light and easy to handle, making them ideal for working on-the-go. Whether you're working from the office, your home, the airport, or virtually any other location, Surface devices were made with the needs of modern, mobile professionals in mind. This is so important because in today’s workforce where remote working is the new norm, secure business mobility is key for success.  For example, the Surface Go weighs a paltry 1.17 pounds for the LTE Advanced model that can tap into wireless networks, and the Microsoft Surface Pro weighs in at 1.73 pounds for the i7 model—and these are the heaviest versions of each device. One of the newest devices in the Surface family of products, the Surface Pro X for Business, is only 5.33mm and 1.68 pounds. This makes the Surface Pro X the thinnest, lightest, and most mobile Surface device created thus far. Furthermore, with lightning-fast built-in LTE, remote workers can avoid the need to connect to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks altogether—helping them to avoid "Man-in-the-Middle" attacks and keeping your confidential data safe. Compare this to the average laptop, which can weigh anywhere from two to six pounds depending on the model and will typically rely on traditional Wi-Fi connectivity. Higher-end laptops (the ones that tend to have dedicated graphics cards, improved cooling systems, big screens/keyboards, and other such features) are often heavier than lower-end laptops that are just powerful enough to handle a basic word processor software. To align with the needs of modern professionals, the Microsoft Surface Pro and Surface Go were designed to be small and light enough to be carried and used anywhere—whether that’s a comfy chair in the user’s living room, a traditional office cubicle, or a cramped seat on an international flight while they’re preparing for an important business meeting. Plus, with built-in touchscreen technology and the ability to effortlessly switch between “laptop” and “tablet” modes, the Surface Pro and Go can be used in situations where the bulk of a laptop would be too much—such as reading a book in tablet mode while standing or using touch-screen controls in settings where a mouse would be difficult to use. This freedom and flexibility is a key difference between Microsoft Surface Pro and laptops that can result in true enterprise mobility for your organization! 3. Microsoft Surface Pro Vs Laptops: Collaboration Features One of the biggest points of confusion between Microsoft Surface Pro vs laptop computers is this: Since both platforms run Windows (or at least usually, in the case of laptop PCs), shouldn’t they both be capable of running the same software? Technically, yes, a laptop should be capable of running Microsoft Office 365 for Business, Microsoft Teams, and other collaboration software on the Windows 10 operating system. However, there’s one major difference—Microsoft Surface Pro and Surface Go devices are purpose-built for MS Office and Teams. Every last part of the Surface family of devices is designed around creating ease of use and collaboration across Teams and Office software. For example, every current-generation Surface device uses a screen with a 3:2 aspect ratio—including the new Surface Hub device. This means that graphics and presentations designed on one Surface device will have a consistent design across every other Surface device in the organization. The result? The ability for all of your employees (whether they're working from the office or a remote location) to seamlessly share presentations without having to worry about changing the format to fit another team member's device. On the other hand, with regular laptops, screen sizes (and native settings) may vary—which often means extra time and effort needs to be spent on getting presentation materials just right or making graphics that have a responsive design that can shift as needed to fit the right aspect ratio.  The Surface Go takes remote collaboration a step further than the average laptop by using an LTE Advanced network connection. This allows companies to use cell phone data plans to have their Surface Go-using employees connect to the internet (and thus their Microsoft Teams collaboration tools) from anywhere they can get a cellular signal.  Not only does this LTE network connection improve enterprise mobility by freeing up employees to work from almost anywhere, it removes their dependency on easily-compromised public Wi-Fi hotspots. This, in turn, helps improve security for remote workers. Yet another Surface device designed to improve collaboration is the new Surface Laptop 3. With improved front-facing cameras, OmniSonic speakers, and dual far-field Studio Mics, your employees will be able to experience crystal clear sound and audio during remote meetings, presentations, and brainstorms.   The Overall Benefits of Using a Microsoft Surface Pro When looking at a Microsoft Surface Pro vs normal laptop, there are a lot of differences that will affect the way you and your employees do business. Overall, the benefits of using Microsoft Surface Pro devices can be summed up as: Having a uniform set of performance capabilities for the cost—removing the guesswork from ordering company devices for employees. Being lightweight and optimized for remote workers, resulting in true enterprise mobility. Ease of collaboration thanks to every Surface device having a consistent display ratio (3:2), built-in compatibility for Microsoft’s business software (Teams, Office 365, etc.), and enhanced audio/video capabilities for better remote meetings, presentations, and brainstorms.  Surface Go devices having LTE network capabilities to allow employees to take their work almost anywhere and have a secure, stable connection that doesn't put your business data at risk. Ready to Experience the Difference Between Microsoft Surface Pro and Laptops in Your Own Organization?  If you're ready to equip your employees with a true business collaboration solution that improves mobility, teamwork, and data security, Protected Trust is here to help! Visit our online store to purchase your new Microsoft Surface device today, or if you still have some questions before you're ready to make the switch from traditional laptops to the Surface family of devices, schedule a meeting with one of our experts.

22 years ago, Nuance Communications released Dragon NaturallySpeaking, the first ever speech-to-text software. Since it was the first of its kind, the kinks weren’t quite worked out yet, causing a lot of frustrations for its early adopters. Even for 22 years ago, it was an incredibly difficult to use, resource-intensive software that led to far more annoyance than convenience. Luckily, a lot has changed and improved since then, and speech-to-text technology is finally usable and available on most devices. Using the same tech as Microsoft’s Cortana assistant, Dictate is a free speech-to-text add-in that is integrated into Office 365 apps like Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint. The ability to dictate your documents is a feature available to Office 365 subscribers only—yet another benefit of using a subscription-based software model. What Does Dictate for Office 365 Do? Dictate is one of the Office Intelligent Services, which brings the power of the cloud to the Office apps you know and use everyday to help you save you time by converting spoken words into text. Your speech will be sent to Microsoft and used only to provide you with this service, and when the transcription is done, your audio and transcription results are not stored by our service—eliminating any security or privacy concerns. How Does Dictate for Office 365 Work? Once installed, Dictate occupies a toolbar at the top of the Office application you’re using, which makes starting and stopping dictation very convenient. See it in action here:   Here’s how you can use the Dictate feature on your Office 365 account: Once you're signed in to your Office 365 account, make sure your microphone is turned on in Microphone Settings. Go to Home > Dictate. Wait for the red dot to appear on the Dictate button—a quick sound will go off to let you know that dictation has begun. Start talking—the text will appear on your screen as you speak. Speak clearly and conversationally—you can even insert punctuation and symbols into the transcript by saying the name of the punctuation mark or symbol you want to add. If you make a mistake while dictating, no worries! Simply move your cursor to the mistake and fix it with your keyboard without having to turn off the microphone and then turn it back on. When you’re done speaking, select Dictate again to turn off the feature. What Can You Use Dictate for Office 365 For? If you’re a fan of using speech-to-text technology on your phone, you may want to install Dictate on your desktop and gave it a spin! There are many more commands for punctuation, correction, and formatting than the typical cell phone’s. Unlike a speech to text application like Siri (who can usually only pick up shorter snippets or phrases), you’re able to make a complete document in a word processor without ever touching the keyboard. It’s also a translator! Dictate offers real-time translation for over 60 languages to and from English with surprising consistency. The translation itself is roughly as good as Google Translate, but the speed at which it translates speech is eye-opening. Full dictation functionality in also available in Arabic, Chinese, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish with more languages continuously being added! Using Dictate for Office 365 Can Be an Adjustment Thanks to modern advances, the technological barriers to productively using speech-to-text for work have all been overcome. Some people even say that it’s more comfortable and faster to use Dictate than it is to actually dictate speech to an assistant. However, if you’re talking at your computer, be prepared to get some strange looks from others in the office until they figure out what you’re doing! Like a Bluetooth headset, it’s very convenient—you just might prefer not to be seen while using it. That being said, overcoming the potential awkwardness this tool is more than worth it when you’re able to speed up word processing tasks and writing emails! If you’re already using Office 365 for Business and need some additional guidance as you start using the Dictate feature, please feel free to reach out to us! At Protected Trust, our goal is to simplify technology so modern professionals can communicate and work effectively from anywhere on the planet, and Dictate technology can be a valuable tool for doing so! If you aren’t a current user of Office 365 for Business but would like the chance to take its many valuable features (including Dictate) for a spin before making a purchase decision, you can sign up for our free Office 365 Business Premium trial today!

It’s no secret that remote working is all the rage amongst modern professionals, and it’s not just a fleeting trend that will be going away any time soon. In Buffer’s 2019 State of Remote Work report, where nearly 2,500 current remote workers were surveyed, a whopping 99% of them said they wanted to continue working remotely at least some of the time for the rest of their careers. So, to align and attract top talent from younger generations that now make up the majority of the labor force, more employers than ever are offering remote work opportunities—nearly 66% of companies allow some sort of remote work and 16% are fully remote! While many companies may offer remote work policies just because they think it’s the only way to “keep up with the times” or land top talent in the Millennial generation, in reality, it can result in a lot of long-term advantages for your business. In fact, a recent study conducted by Owl Labs found that remote workers are happier, stay in their jobs longer, and even work more hours that on-site employees. What will that mean for you and the success of your workforce? Let’s dive into it! The Study  Owl Labs is the creator of the “Meeting Owl,” an intelligent video conferencing device that allows companies to experience 360 degree virtual meetings. Since these devices are especially beneficial for companies that have a lot of remote workers, Owl Labs has a personal interest in the latest remote working trends and statistics. So, each year, Owl Labs conducts studies and surveys in order to gather timely, accurate data for its annual State of Remote Work report. For their 2019 report, 1,202 full-time workers in the United States between the ages of 22 and 65 were surveyed. Of the 1,202 respondents, 62% work remotely at any frequency—54% of them do so at least once per month, 48% do at least once per week, and 30% are fully remote. The other 38% of survey respondents work in a traditional on-site setting and never work remotely. While nearly all industries were represented in the survey, the highest concentration of respondents work in the healthcare, technology, education, retail, financial services, and manufacturing industries. Professionals were also from all different departments, including operations, customer support, sales, human resources, product engineering, and more.  The Results  What did the Owl Labs study find, and how can those insights be applied to enhance remote work policies?  Remote Workers Tend to Be More Loyal to Their Companies  Modern professionals are looking for jobs that offer more freedom and flexibility and a stronger work/life balance—and once they find it, they don’t want to let it go. In fact, 74% of survey respondents in the Owl Labs study agree they would be less likely to leave an employer that offers remote work opportunities. Furthermore, remote workers say they are likely to stay in their current job for the next five years 13% more than on-site workers. Since the costs of employee turnover can be huge, many businesses are now making their employee retention strategy a top priority. Did you know that remote work policies can be used as a powerful employee retention tool? It’s true! Think about it: if you give your employees the freedom and flexibility they want, why would they go elsewhere and risk losing it? Furthermore, 61% of remote workers would expect a pay increase if they were no longer allowed to work remotely. This means that a competitor who doesn’t allow remote working would have to make quite the offer to poach one of your employees, giving you a competitive advantage in a tight labor market.  Remote Workers Are Happier  Having happy employees is essential for business success. Why? A staff full of unhappy employees will result in low morale, a poor company culture, and decreased productivity. On the other hand, happy employees are more engaged, efficient, loyal, and likely to say good things about your company to their own social circles. In fact, 81% of survey respondents in the Owl Labs study said the ability to work remotely would make them more likely to recommend their company to a friend. So, how can you boost overall happiness amongst your staff and reap all these benefits? Offering remote work opportunities can help, and the proof is in the numbers—71% of remote workers say they're happy in their job compared to only 55% of on-site workers. Plus, 83% of employees who never work remotely said the ability to do so would make them happier and 80% said it would make them less stressed. If you want your employees to be happier, allowing remote work is a no brainer. They’ll be more focused, engaged, and motivated to do their jobs well—which means they’ll be producing better work for you and your valued clients while feeling more satisfied doing so! Remote Workers Are More Productive There’s a common misconception out there that remote workers get less work done because they’re lazily lounging around the house in their pajamas all day. This couldn’t be farther from the truth! A survey conducted by Connect Solutions reported that 77% of both part-time and full-time remote workers stated they were more productive when working remotely, and 30% feel they’re able to accomplish more in less time than when working on-site. Plus, the Owl Labs study found remote workers work more than 40 hours per week 43% more than on-site workers do. What’s even more interesting is that on-site workers claim that when they work a longer week, it’s because they feel because it's required, while more remote workers claim they are doing so because they actually enjoy what they do. Once again, we see that remote workers are happier and more engaged in their jobs, which means better quality and quantity of work that can drive revenue for your business! It’s important to note that for your remote workers to experience this boosted productivity, it’s essential to equip them with the remote work tools and technologies they need to do their jobs from any location. After all, if they can’t access the business apps, files, or documents they need on-the-go, how are they supposed to get anything done when working remotely? It’s also important to train your managers who are leading virtual teams so they can effectively monitor the performance and productivity of their employees. This can be a challenge (but is totally possible with the right tools and techniques!) when their team members aren’t sitting across from them in the office. Remote Workers Have Fewer Financial Burdens Survey results from the Owl Labs study found that remote workers earn annual salaries higher than $100,000 2.2x more frequently than on-site workers. Plus, the average individual can save around $4,000 per year by working remotely. Without a daily commute, remote workers can drastically reduce fuel costs, plus save in other ways when they aren’t eating out as frequently or having to maintain a separate work wardrobe. When employees are able to earn a higher salary while also having lower expenses, it can drastically reduce the stress of financial burdens because they won’t be as worried about being able to cover all their living expenses. How does this affect your business? According to a PwC study, 53% of workers report being stressed about their finances, and 46% say they spend three hours or more during the work week thinking about these stressors or dealing with financial issues. When you have remote workers that are able to earn a higher salary or reduce their commuting expenses, they will spend less time stressing about their financial situation at work and more time actually focusing on their job tasks. Plus, when your employees have the additional income to put towards their own personal hobbies and passions, they’ll have a stronger work/life balance and will often feel more fulfilled and satisfied in their personal lives. This is yet another reason why remote workers tend to be happier! The Impact on Your Business  What would having employees who are happier, more loyal, less stressed, and highly productive mean for your business?  Higher retention rates that minimize the costs of employee turnover.  The ability to keep top talent working for you and not the competition.  Increased quality and quantity of work that satisfies your customers and drives additional revenue. Do these sound like results you’d like to see in your own business? Who wouldn’t! Offering remote work policies can have a huge impact on the satisfaction and job performance of your staff. Ready to get started? At Protected Trust, our goal is to help organizations simplify technology so they can experience a truly modern, mobile workplace. If you aren’t currently offering remote work opportunities, we’re here to help you figure out the logistics and implement the tools you’ll need to see success with remote working— including Microsoft’s suite of hardware and software tools that are designed for modern, on-the-go professionals. If you already have remote work policies in place, we can also help you enhance them for optimal success by implementing valuable remote work tools such as Microsoft Teams or Office 365 for Business. Reach out to one of our experts today!

You’ve likely heard of the Surface for business family of devices before, which includes various models of the Microsoft Surface Pro. But, do you know how they can actually be used to improve different aspects of your organization? From increased mobility for remote employees to improved data security and streamlined business collaboration, the features of Microsoft Surface Pro devices can transform the way modern companies operate throughout the day-to-day. At this point, you may be wondering: “What can a Surface Pro do for my business?” No matter your industry, size, or needs, there’s a Surface Pro device that can align. Here are a few key reasons why buying a Surface Pro for business is an investment worth making.  Experience True Business Mobility  Business mobility is when professionals are able to complete their work from outside of a traditional office setting. In today’s fast-paced business world, where employees are often working on-the-go and remote work is the new norm, it’s more important than ever that organizations are able to experience true business mobility. But to do so, you’ll need the right tools and technologies—without them, employees won’t be able to access the workplace resources, business collaboration tools, apps, and files they need to get their work done. One of these valuable tools is Microsoft’s line of Surface Pro for business devices. Surface Pro 7 For example, the new Surface Pro 7 was designed to be ultra-light and versatile so employees can work the way they like from virtually any location. Starting at just 1.70 pounds, it’s easy to carry around whether you’re heading into the office, going to a coffee shop, or packing a bag for the airport. Plus, with tablet-to-laptop versatility, you can use your Surface Pro 7 in whatever mode is best aligned with the task at hand and your current working environment. Surface Pro X Another new Surface Pro device designed to enhance business mobility is the Surface Pro X. At just 7.3mm and starting at only 1.7 pounds, it’s the thinnest Surface device yet, meaning it’s perfect for an on-the-go lifestyle or remote worker. Plus, it comes with built-in, blazing-fast LTE Advanced Pro, meaning you won’t ever need to connect to unsecured public Wi-Fi. Instead, you’ll be able to access the internet, cloud-based apps, and files you need from anywhere you can get a cell phone signal.     Enhance Business Security  Business security is a concern for every modern business, no matter their size, location, or industry. With data breaches on the rise and cyber attackers constantly learning new ways to hack networks and steal confidential business data, prioritizing business security is essential. Luckily, Microsoft Surface Pro device security features are robust and can be invaluable when it comes to staying secure. For example, Surface with LTE devices completely eliminate the need for remote or on-the-go employees to connect to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks. This way, they can avoid “Man-in-the-Middle” attacks that would put your important business data at risk. But, it’s important to keep in mind that using a secure device isn’t enough—the software you’re using on that device needs to be secure as well. For this reason, Surface Pro devices were specifically designed to pair with Office 365 software. There are many benefits of utilizing this subscription-based, continuously-updated software in your business. One of the biggest ones is that as long as you can connect to the subscription-based business enterprise software’s server, you will always have the latest security patch for the software—without having to make additional downloads or pay for upgrades. Additionally, Microsoft’s latest lineup of Surface Pro for business devices includes the most up-to-date security features. Both the new Surface Pro 7 and Surface Pro X come equipped with Firmware TPM and Windows Hello face sign-in, which allows you to log in to your device securely and quickly with password-free facial recognition technology. Improve Business Collaboration Effective business collaboration in the workplace makes your employees more engaged, creative, and productive. However, when your organization has team members working from various locations, it can be difficult for them to communicate efficiently and effectively—if they aren’t given the business collaboration tools necessary to do so. Microsoft Surface Pro devices were designed for business collaboration and empower your teams to work better together, even if they’re thousands of miles apart. How? Each and every Surface device was built to be used with Microsoft Teams, a communication and teamwork hub that keeps group chat message boards, file sharing, and online document editing in one convenient place. This way, your employees can work together on a file simultaneously, chat about a task, and make or approve edits even if they aren’t sitting face-to-face in a conference room! Plus, Surface Pro devices themselves include business collaboration tools that make it simple to brainstorm and work together—all without technical glitches or poor audio and video quality. For example, the Surface Pro 7 allows you to be heard loud and clear in conference calls and while using voice dictation in Office apps with enhanced dual far-field Studio Mics. Another new Surface device, the Surface Laptop 3, features exciting collaboration capabilities and upgrades from the previous model. With improved front-facing cameras, OmniSonic speakers, and dual far-field Studio Mics, you can experience crystal clear sound and audio during virtual business meetings, conferences, and brainstorms. Now that you know how Surface Pro for business devices can transform mobility, security, and collaboration in your organization, are you ready to experience a truly modern workplace for yourself? If you’re already using Surface for business devices and want to know how you can get the most out of your investment, our Protected Trust experts can help! If you aren’t currently using Surface devices but would like to, you can purchase them with ease from our online store. Then, we’ll be here to help with implementation and give guidance as you use your Surface Pro devices throughout the day-to-day. Reach out to us today to discover how simple it can be to use the business collaboration tools you rely on the latest and greatest Surface Pro for business devices!

Recently, Microsoft announced its newest lineup of Surface for business devices, which included the Surface Laptop 3 for Business. The perfect Surface device for daily business use, the Surface Laptop 3 now comes in two sizes and with a whole slew of upgraded features compared to the Surface Laptop 2. It’s twice as fast and designed to align with the way modern professionals do business—all without losing its slim, sleek design and ease of use. At this point, you’re probably wondering: “Well, why does my business need this new Surface Laptop 3 device?” Luckily, you’re about to find out! Key Surface Laptop 3 Features   The Surface Laptop 3 comes equipped with numerous features that make it ideal for business use. So, what are some of the key Surface laptop 3 features you should be aware of—and more importantly, what will they mean for your business? Enhanced audio and video and capabilities. The Surface Laptop 3 features improved front-facing cameras, OmniSonic speakers, and dual far-field Studio Mics—allowing you to experience crystal clear audio and video quality when joining virtual business meetings and brainstorms. This is especially beneficial for organizations with a lot of remote workers.  Business mobility. Starting at just 2.76 pounds, the thin and light design of the Surface Laptop 3 makes it easy to carry around and ideal for on-the-go use. All-day battery life. With up to 11.5 hours of battery life (based on typical Surface device usage) plus standby mode that extends your battery when you’re away, you can stay focused on the task at hand rather than having to constantly stop and reach for your charger. USB-C™ and USB-A ports. While the Surface Laptop 2 only featured USB-A ports, the newest version comes with USB-C™ ports as well. This allows you to seamlessly connect to docking stations, accessory charging, and displays so you can share presentations with ease. Better navigation and comfort. The Surface Laptop 3 features an interactive touch screen, making navigation easier and more natural than ever before. Plus, with a full 1.33mm key travel and 20% larger glass trackpad, you’ll have a much more comfortable typing experience. Faster processing speed. With the latest 10th Gen Intel® Core™ processors, the Surface Laptop 3 moves as fast as your growing business does.  Improved security features. Log in to the Surface Laptop 3 with Windows Hello password-free sign-in—the fastest and most secure way to unlock your device. Plus, the new Surface Laptop 3 allows you to maintain control of your sensitive information with a removable SSD, enabling data retention for the first time ever. Seamless integration. The Surface Laptop 3 is optimized for Office 365 and runs Adobe Creative Cloud (and more), meaning you can integrate your device with the tools and business apps you already use and rely on to do business.  More aesthetic choices. The new Surface Laptop 3 comes in various color options and finishes so you can choose a design that matches your personal style and preferences.  Next-gen accessories. With tools like Surface Earbuds, Surface Arc Mouse, and Surface Pen, you can get even more out of your Surface Laptop 3 with accessories that align with the way you work best. Surface Laptop 3 Specs The Surface Laptop 3 is available in 13.5” and new 15” touchscreens. Here is a convenient table comparing some of the key tech specs for each size model so you can easily determine which is better suited to your needs:  Surface Laptop 3 Specs 13.5” Model 15” Model Dimensions 12.1” x 8.8” x .57”  13.4” x 9.6” x .57” Display Resolution 2256 x 1504 (201 PPI) 2496 x 1664 (201 PPI) Memory 8GB or 16GB LPDDR4x RAM 8GB or 16GB DDR4 RAM Weight Sandstone and Matte Black colors: 2.84 pounds Cobalt Blue and Platinum colors: 2.79 pounds Platinum and Matte Black colors: 3.40 pounds Graphics Intel® Iris™ Plus Graphics AMD Radeon™ Vega 9 Graphics Microsoft Surface® Edition, AMD Radeon™ RX Vega 11 Graphics Microsoft Surface® Edition  Wireless Wi-Fi 6: 802.11ax compatible Wi-Fi 5: 802.11ac compatible   Surface Laptop 3 Price The Surface Laptop 3 starts at $999 for the 13” model and $1,199 for the 15” model. While this may sound like a large up-front investment for your business, the long-term benefits you’ll experience will be more than worth it.  Ready to Implement the Surface Laptop 3 in Your Business? Now that you know more about the many valuable features of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 3, you may be ready to utilize these devices to enhance the way you do business. Whether you still need help choosing which Surface devices will be the best fit for your business, are ready to order a Surface Laptop 3, or simply have questions about how Microsoft’s suite of hardware and software tools can transform your organization into a truly modern workplace, reach out to a PT expert today!  

As an employer, there are numerous benefits of offering remote work policies. While you certainly do care about the fact that allowing remote work will make your employees happier and more engaged, many business decisions end up coming down to one thing—how they’ll fit into the budget and affect your bottom line. But, did you know that allowing remote work (also known as “work from home”) policies can actually make it possible to reduce numerous business expenses, positively impacting your bottom line? Yup, it’s true. In fact, letting just one employee work from home can save you $10,000 each year in business expenses, and save the employee up to $6,800 on commuting and other expenses. Here are five key ways how! 1. Remote Work Policies Allow You to Widen Your Talent Pool Remote work policies allow you to tap into non-local talent—without having to pay for their relocation expenses. Seeing as an average relocation package costs between $21,327-$24,913 for an employee that is renting and $61,622-$79,429 for an employee who is a homeowner, this can save your business big time. Keep in mind that these numbers are just an average of what larger corporations typically spend on employee relocation—your numbers will vary from employee to employee based on their location and job role. For example, moving someone who is at the executive level to New York City would be much more expensive than many other scenarios. Regardless of the exact number, offering remote work policies can make it possible for you to leverage the skills and experiences of top industry talent in other geographic locations who aren’t willing to move—or would cost your business too much even if they were willing to move for the job.  2. More Remote Workers Means Lower Real Estate Expenses  When you have employees that are telecommuting rather than working from your physical office location, you’ll need less office space. Think about it: with fewer employees in the office, you’ll need fewer desks, meeting rooms, kitchen space, and so on. So, offering remote work policies means you can lower your overall real estate costs. Seeing as real estate costs are often a huge chunk of the budget and one of the biggest business expenses facing organizations (especially larger ones), this is a big deal! For example, American Express created a BlueWork program that assigns employees to one of four remote work categories based on their job role and personal preferences. While many employees do still work from an office every day, many are able to split their time between the office and remote locations or work from home all the time. American Express claims this program has not only improved productivity and morale, but also saved them between $10-$15 million annually in real estate costs! 3. More Remote Workers Means Lower Utility Bills Offering remote work policies can help you not only reduce your real estate costs, but other overhead business expenses as well—a major one being your utilities. When you have fewer in-office employees, that means your internet, phone, electricity, and water bills will all be lower. With the average cost of utilities for commercial buildings totaling $2.10 per square foot (which may vary by state and building grade), lowering that average in your business can quickly add up to a lot of savings over time. The best part is that all of these savings can go right back into your business to improve cash flow, develop new products, or give your employees pay raises that improve morale and long-term loyalty.  4. Remote Workers Tend to be More Productive While you may think that remote work or work from home policies will make your employees more distracted and less productive, the opposite is actually true. According to studies, 56% of remote workers think they are just as productive as traditional workers, and 24% believe they are even more productive than those in an office. Additionally, telecommuting employees are 53% more likely to work over 40 hours a week compared to non-telecommuters and are 13% more efficient than office workers. What does all this increased productivity mean for your business? Productivity is directly linked to profitability, because when employees get more work done, that means you can deliver on tighter deadlines, create more products, provide more services, and drive additional sales. All of these revenue-generators will ultimately increase both your profit margins and overall bottom line! 5. BYOD Policies Mean Lower Device Expenses  Many companies that offer remote work policies also allow those remote workers to take advantage of “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) policies. More and more organizations are offering BYOD policies for remote workers and in-office employees alike because they can result in huge savings on device expenses. In fact, 74% of businesses either already have or plan to implement BYOD policies in the future. Supplying hardware is a huge business expense for employers, but BYOD policies can help minimize the chunk of the budget spent on work devices. These savings can be seen immediately since you won’t need to purchase a device every time you get a new employee, which often costs well over $950 per device per person. While BYOD policies are a great way to save on business expenses, just make sure you have policies in place regarding what kind of devices can be used if employees are able to choose their own (for example, some companies will require a Microsoft device but allow the employee to choose which version or model they want to use). Plus, it’s important to clearly outline who is responsible if those devices need to be repaired or replaced. If done correctly, implementing remote work policies in your organization can help you save big on a variety of business expenses. But, if you want to see cost savings and more engaged, productive employees, the key is to provide your remote workers with the devices and business collaboration tools they need to get their job done from any location. If you don't, your bottom line, productivity, and employee morale can actually end up suffering. At Protected Trust, our goal is to empower people to communicate so they can achieve their greatest potential from anywhere on the planet. We do this by simplifying technology and equipping modern business with the software and hardware they need to see success in a digitally-drive business landscape. Our vision of a modern digital workplace is built on an ecosystem of Microsoft Teams and the Microsoft 365 platform, and we want to help get your organization there. Reach out to one of our experts today to get started!

In today’s incredibly competitive hiring market, employee perks programs can be a key way for companies to differentiate themselves to attract and retain top talent. In fact, Glassdoor found that nearly 60% of professionals report a company's benefits and perks package as a major factor in considering whether to accept or decline a job offer. What may surprise you even more is that four in five employees prefer benefits or perks to a pay raise… but only if they’re the right employee perks. So, how can you create an employee perks programs that actually aligns with what your staff is looking for? Employee preferences are constantly evolving, so first, you need to simply be aware of what the most in-demand employee perks for modern professionals are right now! What Are Employee Perks? Employee perks are privileges granted to employees in addition to their salaries and benefits that have little to no cash value. For example, health insurance and 401(k) matching are benefits because they have a monetary value, while something like “casual Fridays” would be considered a perk. What Are the Best Employee Perks? Employee perks programs will be different from one company to another. There’s no perfect combination or one-size-fits-all package that will satisfy every single employee—but there are a few in-demand employee perks you should be aware of if you want a more satisfied, engaged, and loyal staff! Employee Perk #1: Remote Work Policies The rise of remote work policies is one of the biggest trends in the modern workforce. In fact, a whopping 99% of respondents in a Buffer study claimed they would like to work remotely at least some of the time for the rest of their careers. Whether you allow your employees to work remotely full-time, one day a week, or a few times each month, there are many benefits for both of you. In fact, employees who work from home at least once a month are 24% more likely to feel happy and productive at work than those who never do. Beyond just increased productivity, you’ll also see many other benefits, including higher retention rates, reduced overhead expenses, and access to a wider pool of talent. Your employees will be able to experience reduced travel time, a more flexible working schedule, the ability to choose the working environment that is best for them, and money savings. These huge advantages will make your staff happier, more engaged, and loyal to your company long-term.  Employee Perk #2: Flexible Working Schedules  The days where employees were tethered to their desks from 9 am to 5 pm are long gone. Modern employees crave a strong work-life balance that allows them the freedom and flexibility to do things like go out to lunch, leave a little early to pick up their kids, or attend a school event in the middle of the workday. No matter the industry, flexibility is incredibly important: 51% of employees in a survey say they wish their company offered more flexible work options. Allowing a more flexible working schedule is an employee perk that will really make your employees happy while costing you essentially nothing to offer. Just be sure that you have policies in place that clearly outline when it is mandatory to be in the office, and keep up with performance metrics to ensure your employees are still able to get their work done and meet goals and deadlines. Employee Perk #3: Providing Efficient Devices Your employees need access to powerful, efficient devices and tools in order to complete their job tasks quickly and effectively, and providing them with these devices is a valuable employee perk. When your employees don’t have to purchase work devices on their own dime, it can alleviate some financial stress and prevent employee morale problems—such as one employee getting upset because they weren’t able to afford the latest and greatest device that another employee could.  By giving your employees access to the devices and tools they need to do their jobs, they will also be more productive, therefore generating more revenue for your business. Plus, when everyone is using the same platforms and devices (for example, using the Microsoft Suite of hardware and software including Surface devices, Office 365, and Microsoft Teams), you can keep all the apps, files, and communications you need to do business compatible, streamlined, and organized. This is more ideal than leaving your staff to acquire their own devices, which could result in one employee using G-Suite on an Apple Device while another uses a Samsung tablet and another uses a PC with Office 365, for example.  Employee Perk #4: Paid Family Leave In response to evolving employee demands, a number of large companies have enhanced their paid parental leave programs in the last year, from Walmart to TD Bank. According to the Society for Human Resource Management’s 2018 Employee Benefits report, employers offering paid parental leave increased significantly over the last few years. Furthermore, more and more companies are offering paid parental leave policies for every type of parental leave, not just traditional maternal and paternal leave. Between 2016 and 2018, the percentage of employers offering paid maternity leave increased from 26% to 35% in 2018—with paid paternity leave increasing from 21% to 29%. In that same time, parental leave also increased for new parents that have adopted (20% to 28%), taken in a foster child (13% to 21%), or had a child via surrogate (6% to 12%).  Employee Perk #5: Paid Vacation Time In a Harvard Business Review survey of 2,000 U.S. workers, 80% of respondents said more vacation time was an appealing perk. Furthermore, over two-thirds said they would consider a lower-paying job over a higher-paying one if it came with unlimited vacation. While offering unlimited paid time-off may sound scary, it can actually be a win-win for both employers and employees. Offering unlimited paid vacation time shows your employees that you trust them to be responsible and manage their workload, regardless of how many days they take off. Plus, the Society for Human Resource Management estimates that only 1%–2% of companies currently offer an unlimited time-off policy. So, by offering this incredibly in-demand employee perk, you can differentiate your company from the competition and make yourself more attractive to job seekers. Employee Perk #6: Opportunities for Professional Development  The Society for Human Resource Management’s 2018 Employee Benefits report found that 86% of employees claim opportunities for professional and career development were important to their overall job satisfaction. The most common professional development benefit perk currently offered by employers is paying for professional memberships. Employers can also offer onsite and offsite training opportunities, develop mentor programs, and cover certification/recertification fees and/or professional license application/renewal fees. Plus, in our technology-driven age, there are many webinars, podcasts, training modules, and digital certifications that can be completed online for little to no cost. Passing these resources on to your employees shows you care about their growth, meaning they’ll be happier and more engaged at work. Plus, by giving your employees the opportunity to learn new skills, you’ll reap the benefits when they apply those skills at your company! Employee Perk #7: Company Wellness Programs Mercer’s 2018 Global Talent Trends survey found that one in two employees would like to see a greater focus on overall well-being at their company. Investing in a company wellness program is a great decision because it will benefit everyone. Regular exercise improves mood and morale, meaning your employees will be happier and more productive. It can also help people avoid many chronic health conditions, meaning your employees will take fewer sick days and you'll have lower health insurance costs. So, how can you show your employees you care about their mental and physical health? More than a third of employees say a company-paid gym membership or access to an onsite fitness center is on their employer wish list. You can also offer free onsite health screenings or lunch and learn sessions on various wellness topics, invest in standing desks, bring a fitness instructor into the office for a monthly class, or create a space in the office dedicated to meditation.  Employee Perk #8: Financial Planning Services According to a 2017 PWC survey, 53% of all employees are stressed about their finances—leading nearly one in three employees to say finances have been a distraction at work. How can you help as their employer? By offering financial planning services as an employee perk! Some ideas for doing so include compiling financial resources (such as informational pamphlets, webinars, or podcasts) to pass along to your employees or having a financial advisor come into the office to host a lunch and learn or Q&A session. By providing financial planning services, you can help lessen the stress on your employees—giving them more peace of mind about their financial future so they can focus on the present and be more productive at work.  Employee Perk #9: Pet Perks  People certainly love their furry friends—so much so that pet insurance has become a more popular voluntary employee benefit over the past few years. Data shows that pet ownership reduces stress levels, the risk of heart attacks, high blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, meaning employees with pets tend to be happier and healthier employees. When they don’t have to worry about taking on the full costs of their pet’s medical bills, they’ll be even happier! Additionally, 15% of employees say they would like to work in a pet-friendly office. While this may sound distracting, it actually has the opposite effect—studies have shown that pet-friendly workplaces actually see higher engagement. If you aren’t willing or able to have a pet-friendly office all the time, consider implementing something like a “Pet Day” where everyone is allowed to bring in their pets one Friday each month. Employee Perk #10: Free Food and Snacks  Who doesn’t love free food? Surveys showed that 32% of employees say they’d appreciate free snacks and 30% said they’d appreciate free coffee in the office. Providing free food and snacks in the office can help boost morale and give your employees fuel to be productive throughout the day. While some companies go all out and have a fully-stocked kitchen or on-site vending machines, there are still ways you can provide this employee perk for a lower cost. Keeping a small snack area stocked and providing a coffee pot and grounds isn't super expensive and will go a long way with your employees. You could also consider hosting a monthly or quarterly catered lunch in the office, which can also serve as a social event that improves morale and fosters relationships amongst team members. At the end of the day, the companies with the best employee perks are the ones that offer the perks their staff actually cares about. If you aren’t sure where to start or what your employees want, you could send out a survey so they can rank the list of benefits you’re considering offering by importance. If you’re already offering or thinking about offering remote work policies or allowing a more flexible working schedule, Protected Trust can help by providing the hardware and software you need to ensure your employees can get the job done from any location. If you’re ready to learn more and transform your organization into a truly modern workplace, reach out to a PT expert today!

On October 2, 2019, Microsoft announced its Surface for business line-up is expanding with the introduction of three new devices: Surface Pro 7 for Business, Surface Laptop 3 for Business, and Surface Pro X for Business. This new line of Surface devices is available for order just in time for the holiday season, and was designed to help every modern professional and organization achieve their greatest potential through simplified yet powerful technology. Want to know more? Here is a breakdown of some of the key benefits of using Surface for business, as well as the latest features and capabilities of each new Surface device entering the market. The Benefits of Using Surface for Business Since they were introduced, Surface devices have been known for their versatile, light, and flexible designs that empower people to work in whatever way works best for them—no matter what location they happen to be working from. There are many key features of Surface devices that make them ideal for business use. Some of the major benefits of utilizing Surface devices in your organization include: Enhanced data security Secure business mobility through Surface devices with LTE Simplified business collaboration Improved mobility, access to necessary files and business apps, and communication for remote employees Meet the Newest Surface for Business Devices on the Block   Say hello to the newest members of the Microsoft Surface family of devices! Surface Pro 7 for Business The latest edition of the Surface Pro, Microsoft’s classic, ultra-light, and versatile 2-in-1 tablet and laptop, is now even more adaptable to the ways you and your modern employees work. The Surface Pro 7 for business is an all-in-one laptop, tablet, and portable studio that delivers over two times faster performance than its predecessor, the Surface Pro 6. The Surface Pro 7 for Business: Includes the latest 10th Gen Intel® Core™ processors Connects to displays, docking stations, and more with both USB-C™ and USB-A ports Features up to 10.5 hours of battery life (based on typical Surface device usage) Starts at $749 Surface Laptop 3 for Business The new Surface Laptop 3 is the perfect everyday Surface device. Now available in two sizes and various aesthetic options, it’s twice as fast without losing its slim, sleek design. Some of the Surface Laptop 3’s most exciting new features include improved front-facing cameras, OmniSonic speakers, and dual far-field Studio Mics. This allows you to experience crystal clear sound and audio whether you’re in a business meeting, listening to music, or watching videos. The new Surface device also offers a more comfortable typing experience with a full 1.33mm key travel and 20% larger glass trackpad. Plus, for the first time ever, it allows you to maintain control of your sensitive information with a removable SSD enabling data retention. The Surface Laptop 3 also: Includes the latest 10th Gen Intel® Core™ processors Features up to 10.5 hours of battery life (based on typical Surface device usage) with fast charging that brings it to an 80% charge in just about an hour Includes both USB-A and USB-C ports Now comes in two sizes, 13.5” or the new 15”, with boasts a larger screen for industry-leading integrated graphics performance Now comes available in two size and display options: 13.5” or the new 15” PixelSense™ Display Now comes available in new eye-catching color options, including Sandstone and Cobalt Now comes available in two durable keyboard finishes: warm tone-on-tone Alcantara® fabric or cool aluminum all-metal finish Starts at $999 for the 13” model and $1,199 for the 15” model Surface Pro X for Business At 5.33mm and 1.68 pounds, the new Surface Pro X for Business is the thinnest, lightest, and most mobile Surface device ever created. With lightning-fast built-in LTE, you can work the way you like from any location, resulting in unmatched business mobility. It includes the new Microsoft SQ1 processor co-designed with Qualcomm, which pushes two teraflops of graphics processing power—making it the fastest Qualcomm processor ever created for a PC. The new model starts at $999. The Surface Pro X’s sleek design also features: 33% thinner bezels A brilliant 13” touchscreen Two USB-C™ ports A new Slim Pen that charges and stores securely in the Signature Keyboard At Protected Trust, our vision of a modern digital workplace is built on an ecosystem of Microsoft software and hardware. We carry out this vision by making technology simple, not a hassle. This enables you and your employees to achieve their greatest potential from anywhere on the planet! If you’re ready to make the most out of Microsoft tools in your business, reach out to us today! We can help you determine which Surface devices will meet your needs, provide tips and resources for a smooth implementation, and get you setup to preorder the latest Surface devices through our online store.

According to Pew Research Center, more than one in three Americans in the workforce are Millennials—making them the largest generation currently in the U.S. labor force. Furthermore, a survey by American Express found that 75% of these Millennial workers believe their work environment should be “flexible and fluid” and their employers should “not enforce a rigid structure on employees.” The rise of Millennials in the workforce and their changing preferences has made many modern companies restructure themselves to include remote work policies. While this gives Millennials more of the freedom and flexibility they’re looking for, it can present unique challenges to the leaders trying to manage them. So, how can you effectively manage Millennial workers in a way that keeps them productive, engaged, and satisfied? Here are a few of our top tips for managing remote employees in the Millennial generation. 1. Clearly Outline Expectations for Your Remote Millennial Workers Because remote work is less structured than working in a traditional office setting, clearly outlining your expectations is crucial when it comes to managing remote employees. Since you won’t be able to see when they arrive at the office and leave for the day or walk behind their desk to look at what’s on their computer screen, you need to have confidence that your remote employees know what they should be doing—and are actually doing it. So, if you’re wondering how to develop trust when managing remote workers, being upfront about your expectations (then actually following through to ensure they’ve been met) is a major key to success. Make the following clear for each member on your team of remote Millennial workers: Your company’s mission, vision, values, and policies  Each employee’s specific job role, daily tasks, and responsibilities  The key performance indicators (KPIs) that will be used to measure their performance  Which tasks or projects they own, and which they will be supporting or contributing to  The expected number of working hours per day and week  Future goals, whether they’re on a monthly, quarterly, or yearly timeline Communication cadence: how often communication needs to happen, and on what platforms that communication will take place Any tools, technologies, business apps, and resources they need to use to complete their work Who to contact for help, support, or questions—and when they should be contacted Management availability: when, where, and how they can reach their direct managers and other company leadership Team availability: when, where, and how they can reach their coworkers, both those in the office and other remote workers 2. Provide Your Remote Millennial Workers With Opportunities for Growth  Millennial workers tend to be motivated by opportunities for personal and professional development and career growth. They want to be challenged and are always looking for ways to learn more, develop new skills, and move up in their careers. In fact, 63% of Millennials look for jobs at learning organizations with access to training, workshops, and company-funded postgraduate schooling. Providing these opportunities for learning and growth doesn’t just help you attract Millennial talent to your company—it will help you retain them, too. The proof is in the numbers: 67% of Millennials say that if their job lacks growth opportunities and avenues for leadership development, they would leave that position. So, when managing remote employees in the Millennial generation, make sure you’re providing them with learning opportunities and keeping the conversation open about career growth. This can be done by sending your remote Millennial workers online resources (such as eBooks, webinars, or podcasts) or having them complete digital certifications and/or online courses to further their skills. You should also be holding regular meetings and performance reviews (whether quarterly, semi-annually, or annually) to discuss what benchmarks need to be met for each employee to get to their next promotion or raise. 3. Remember to Consistently Connect When Managing Remote Employees Millennials crave deep human connections, both in their personal lives and at work. In fact, more than 70% of Millennial workers say they want the people they work with to function as a sort of second family. One of the biggest tips for managing remote employees is to ensure you’re giving them that connection they’re looking for. Seeing as 19% of remote workers cite loneliness as the biggest struggle of working remotely and 17% say its a lack of collaboration and communication amongst their coworkers, this is incredibly important. When working with Millennials, especially remote ones, it’s essential that you’re connecting consistently. Without regular check-ins and conversations, you’ll be left with an isolated team that feels disconnected from leadership, their coworkers, and your organization as a whole. To combat this, schedule regular recurring meetings that both you and your employees can rely on. Having meetings at the same time helps create a routine amidst the flexibility of remote work policies.  Make these check-ins conversational. While it’s important to go over projects or task updates, don’t forget to also ask about how they’re feeling, what they’re up to today, plans for the weekend, etc. This will help to build rapport and keep communication open.  4. Communicate Through the Proper Digital Channels Designed for Remote Work While it’s important that you’re consistently connecting with your remote Millennial workers, the key is to be connecting with them through the right channels. Millennial professionals don’t want to be micromanaged—especially those that have chosen to work remotely in search of more freedom and flexibility. Luckily, technology and business collaboration tools have made it easier than ever to collaborate and communicate with your remote Millennial teams in ways that align with their modern working style. So, when managing remote employees, follow this quick guide for when to use various digital communication channels: Email. Emails should be used for exchanging objective, brief information. You don’t need to send an email for every little thing—if it’s something short and quick, send a chat message instead. If it’s a longer conversation with information that could be misinterpreted, pick up the phone or hop on a video chat. Instant messaging. Chat tools such as Slack or Microsoft Teams are ideal when you need a quick, real-time response. The tools can also be used as a place to share announcements, create channels for team conversations, and socialize informally—helping your remote Millennial workers feel more connected with their virtual teams. Video. Any long, difficult, or potentially emotional conversations should be held face-to-face. Through a video conference, you’ll be able to pick up on body language cues and have a more clear, productive conversation without the risk that something important will get lost in translation.  Phone. Hop on a phone call to efficiently discuss tasks or answer questions about a project that could be unclear in writing. Plus, it’s much simpler and less time-consuming than sending multiple questions and answers back and forth through an email or instant message chain. When it comes to managing remote Millennial workers, it’s key to keep their unique preferences and working styles in mind, then align your management techniques to meet those needs! By following these tips for managing remote employees and utilizing the right business communication tools, you’ll have a team of highly productive and satisfied remote Millennial workers. At Protected Trust, we're here to provide the tools your modern employees and virtual teams need to reach their greatest potential no matter where they’re working from. We believe this is done through a modern workplace built on an ecosystem of Microsoft Teams and the Microsoft 365 platform. Are you ready to transform the way you do business and your remote employees work through Microsoft’s family of devices and software? Reach out to one of our team members today.

Office 365 is a line of subscription-based services powered by Microsoft. Office 365 for Business is Microsoft’s suite of completely integrated, cloud-based productivity tools specifically designed to be used by business owners—whether you have 5 employees or 5,000. G-Suite is a set of cloud-based productivity tools, software, and products powered by Google. G-Suite Enterprise is Google’s version of G-Suite with features and capabilities tailored for business use, no matter your size or industry. G-Suite vs Office 365: What’s the Difference? When looking for a new business software solution, you have a lot of considerations to make. From comparing pricing to capabilities to use cases, you want to be sure you’re choosing to invest in the platform that will yield the results you’re looking for. So, let’s compare a few key features of G-Suite vs Office 365 to help you determine which is right for your business' unique needs: Pricing - G-Suite vs Office 365 G-Suite offers three straightforward plans at the following prices: Basic. At $6 per user per month, this is the lowest level plan. It includes the basic professional office suite with 30GB of storage per user. Business. At $12 per user per month, this is G-Suite’s best value. It includes an enhanced office suite with unlimited storage and archiving, which is helpful for larger business with more data. Enterprise. At $25 per user per month, this is G-Suite’s most expensive plan. It includes a premium office suite with more advanced controls and capabilities. Office 365 offers business plans at two different levels: small business/SME and enterprise. With more plan options, businesses have the flexibility to choose a plan that is specifically tailored to their exact needs. Keep in mind that Office 365 also offers numerous other plans for households, individual users, education, government, non-profits, and more. Office 365 for Business has the following plans and price points at the small business/SME level: Office 365 Business Essentials. At $5 per month per user, this is Office 365’s most basic business plan. It is best for businesses that need access to business email and other services on PC, Mac, or mobile, but desktop versions of Office apps are not included in this plan. Office 365 Business. At $8.25 per user per month, this is Office 365’s middle-ground plan. It is best for businesses that need Office apps plus cloud file storage and sharing on PC, Mac, or mobile. It includes desktop versions of Office apps, but not business email. Office 365 Business Premium. At $12.50 per user per month, this is Office 365’s most robust plan. It is best for businesses that need business email, Office apps, and other business services on PC, Mac, or mobile. With desktop, web, and mobile versions of Office apps, plus the most advanced security features and administrative controls, this is likely the best solution for larger businesses that are looking for an all-inclusive plan and have a lot of sensitive data to protect. Office 365 for Business has the following plans and price points at the enterprise level: Office 365 E1. At $8 per user per month, this is Office 365’s most basic enterprise plan. It includes business services such as email, file storage and sharing, Office Online, meetings and IM, and more, but office applications are not included. Office 365 ProPlus. At $12 per user per month, this plan includes office applications plus cloud file-storage and sharing, but not business email. Office 365 E3. At $20 per user per month, this plan includes all the features of ProPlus and Office 365 E1—plus additional security and compliance tools, such as legal hold and data loss prevention. Office 365 E5. At $35 per user per month, this is the most robust Office 365 enterprise plan. It includes all the features of Office 365 E3, plus advanced security, analytics, and voice capabilities. Word Processor + Spreadsheets - Office 365 vs Google Docs Office 365 for Business includes popular Office applications you’ve likely heard of and used before, including Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. Some plans allow you to install these applications on up to five PCs or Macs and five tablets. With Office Mobile and cloud-based file storage and sharing capabilities, you’ll not only be able to able to access the files you need from any desktop, but also view and edit them on Windows Phones, iPhone®, and Android phones. Files will always be accessible both online and offline, and automatically synced so the most up-to-date version is always at your fingertips. G-Suite includes access to Google Docs, which allows you to create and edit text documents right from your browser. It also includes Sheets and Slides, Google’s version of spreadsheets and presentations. With these tools, multiple team members can work on the same document, spreadsheet, or presentation at the same time, and every change is automatically saved so you can be sure you’re always working with the latest version. If you’re offline, you can use Chrome for Mac or PC to work in Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides without an internet connection.   Email Client - Gmail vs Outlook for Business Both G-Suite and Office 365 allow you to create professional business email accounts using your own domain name. Gmail is Google’s email program, while Microsoft's is called Outlook for Business. At the entry level, Office 365’s most basic $5 per month plan is much more generous than G-Suite's most basic $6 plan as far as email storage goes. Office 365 offers a dedicated 50GB inbox on top of the overall 1TB of file storage provided. By comparison, the G-Suite Basic plan caps total storage at 30GB, including both emails and files. However, if you move up to G-Suite’s $12 Business plan and have more than 5 users on your team, there is no longer a cap on your inbox storage. G-Suite allows you to create up to 30 email aliases for each user, while Office 365 allows 400 email aliases for each user. Both G-Suite and Office 365 are cloud-based tools, so you’ll be able to access your emails and calendars from any location or device without an internet connection on either. This is key for modern businesses looking for secure business mobility. G-Suite will be compatible with your existing interface, integrating with desktop clients like Microsoft Outlook, Apple Mail, and Mozilla Thunderbird. Office 365 allows allows you to integrate your Outlook email address with other mail clients as well. The main advantage of using Office 365 for email is that most plans give you access to two versions of Outlook: an online version and an offline version—which is full of flexibility and features that allow you to sort, group, and label your inbox for maximum organization. Collaboration Tool - Google Hangouts vs Microsoft Teams Both G-Suite and Office 365 offer collaboration tools designed to help team members communicate remotely and in real-time. G-Suite’s collaboration suite is called Google Hangouts, which includes an IM chat platform that can be accessed directly from your email, or from a desktop or mobile app. Hangouts also includes audio and video conferencing capabilities that are fully integrated with G-Suite. This way, you can join Hangout meetings directly from a Calendar event or email, whether you’re on a computer, phone, or in a conference room. With G-Suite's Enterprise edition, every meeting automatically includes dial-in details that can be accessed from your calendar even if you’re offline or don’t have data. This makes it possible for employees that are remote or traveling to still be a contributing part of meetings and brainstorms when they’re working from a location without reliable internet access. Office 365’s hub for collaboration and teamwork is called Microsoft Teams. Teams brings all aspects of your business into once shared workspace that can be easily accessed no matter your device or location. Teams allows users to chat individually or as a group, meet through reliable audio or video conferences, share, work on, and edit files simultaneously, and work within integrated business apps together. These capabilities mean enhanced collaboration and workflows, especially amongst virtual teams. Teams can also be integrated into your Outlook email, accessed from your desktop, or utilized on-the-go through the Teams mobile app. With some Office 365 plans, you can get advanced security controls through Microsoft Teams that include data loss prevention, information barriers, retention policies, eDiscovery, legal hold, and more. You can also meet obligations to 42 national, regional, and industry-specific regulations with help from the compliance capabilities, and access administrative controls that make it possible to manage who can access which files and messages. With Teams, you’ll also be able to host audio, video, and web conferences with anyone inside or outside your organization, whether it’s a team of 5 or 500. Features like scheduling assistance, note taking, desktop sharing, uploading files, and chat messaging will even further enhance your virtual meetings. You can also take advantage of live event capabilities to host webinars or meetings with up to 10,000 attendees in real-time. File Storage Sharing - G-Suite vs Office 365  G-Suite gives you 30 GB of cloud storage for each user with the basic plan and unlimited storage with business and enterprise plans. It uses Google Drive to store and manage files, which can be accessed through your browser or downloaded on your mobile devices, tablets, or desktop through the Google Drive app. This way, you can easily access files stored in the Drive even if you’re offline. Google Drive makes it simple to share files with a colleague in your own organization or external clients or customers. You can share a document or file by email, and determine whether each shared document can simply be viewed, or if it can be edited and downloaded. This prevents people that shouldn’t be able to edit a document from being able to change it in any way, but still allows them to view it. Drive uses Google AI to determine which documents each team member works with most. This way, when they start typing in a search, recommended documents will pop up first for more quick and efficient access. With the Drive Enterprise plan, integrations allow users to instantly connect to popular tools like Salesforce and Slack. This level of Enterprise pricing is based on active users and storage used per month, so you don’t have to worry about paying for storage capacity you don't need. With Office 365, OneDrive is used for file storage and sharing. Office 365 offers 1 TB of cloud storage for each user with all their plans. Each user also gets 50 GB of email storage, which is separate from your OneDrive storage limit. If additional storage is needed, you can always purchase it per user. OneDrive allows you to easily store and access your files from all your devices, and even edits that were made offline will be automatically synced and uploaded next time you connect. Like Google Drive, it can also be accessed from your desktop, mobile app, or web browser. Plus, if you are using a Windows 10 or Windows 8 PC, OneDrive comes integrated into those operating systems, making saving files to the cloud and sharing them even easier. You can also open files directly from OneDrive to Microsoft Office and other default apps on your PC for maximum speed and efficiency. OneDrive is also equipped with the intelligence of Microsoft Graph, which lets you quickly find files, photos, and documents from personalized search results powered by AI. Results - Which is Right for Your Business? Trying to decide between Google vs Microsoft? Now that you know how some key features of each stack up against each other, you’ll be able to make a more well-informed decision about which is right for you. When it comes down to it, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach or clear answer for every business. The solution you choose will be based off your own unique business size, industry, budget, needs, and preferences. What’s important is to make sure you’re doing the necessary research to select the option that is the best fit for you, your business, and its employees. At Protected Trust, our experts are here to help you determine what your business’ technology needs truly are. If you have more questions about how the Microsoft suite of software and hardware products can transform your organization, feel free to reach out to us today!

You’ve likely heard of Office 365 before, but are you aware just how much its features and capabilities can enhance workflows, collaboration, and efficiency in your business? If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “What are the benefits of Office 365 for Business,” you’ve come to the right place. Here are 10 major advantages of Office 365 that will transform the way you and your employees (especially remote ones) work. 1. The Ability to Work Remotely 70% of modern professionals work remotely at least one day a week, and 53% do at least half of the week—so as more and more businesses adopt remote work policies, it’s important that you’re able to give your virtual teams access to the tools and technologies necessary to work effectively on-the-go. One of the main advantages of Office 365 is that it allows users to work from anywhere as long as they have internet connectivity. Because Office 365 is entirely cloud-based, emails, files, and popular Office programs (such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) can be accessed from any location and any device. This is especially beneficial for companies with a lot of employees who work remotely or travel often. 2. Subscription-Based Model for Scalable Business Growth Office 365 gives you enhanced flexibility and can quickly scale as your business does. For starters, you’ll be able to mix and match business apps to create your own custom solution to meet the exact needs of each user or department. Plus, one of the main benefits of Office 365’s subscription-based model is that you can add or remove users by simply adding or removing licenses. This way, if an employee leaves, you can stop paying for the software-as-a-service rather than continuing to pay for an account that is no longer being used. If a new employee is hired, you can add a new account without having to change the entire system. Without having to make a permanent commitment to a software license for each employee, your business can scale in a simplified, cost-effective way. 3. Streamlined Business Collaboration If you have a lot of remote employees in your business, collaboration can suffer when every team member isn’t working from the same location. Without that constant face-to-face interaction, your employees will need access to modern business collaboration tools that make it possible to brainstorm, work together on a project, or go over edits and approvals remotely and in real-time. Since Office 365 is a subscription-based service that uses online connectivity features, its collaboration features are designed with remote workers in mind. For example, with Office 365 Business Premium, your employees will be able to utilize Microsoft Teams, Microsoft's all-in-one collaboration hub. Users will be able to work on and edit online documents simultaneously, share notes and go over edits in-real time, and join audio or video conferences to discuss changes or give approvals—even when all the team members involved aren’t physically together. 4. Simplified Virtual Communication According to Buffer’s 2019 State of Remote Work Report, 17% of remote workers claim communication and collaboration is the biggest struggle of working remotely. So, giving your remote employees the tools they need to communicate with their teams effectively can mean the difference between engaged, successful teams and isolated, unhappy employees. Many of Office 365’s features and benefits are designed to make effective remote communication possible. With Microsoft Teams, Skype for Business, Outlook Groups, Sway, Yammer, SharePoint, and other Office 365 apps, users will be able to communicate more effectively than ever before—no matter where they are working from or what device they’re using. 5. Reduced Software Expenses One of the biggest advantages of Office 365 is that it can help your business save big on software expenses. As a subscription-based software, you only need to pay for the software you’re actually using. Since not every employee will need the same tier of software based on their job role or security clearance, you can mix and match plans as needed. For example, you could use Business Premium or Office 365 Enterprise E3 for your highest-end users that need additional capabilities, such as C-Suite executives or team managers. Then, your rank-and-file employees can leverage the less expensive Office 365 Business Essentials plan—this saves you from having to pay more for all the extra tools they won’t ever need to use. 6. Advanced Security Features Keeping data secure should be a priority for every digitally-driven business. One of the major benefits of having a subscription-based software like Office 365 Business Premium is that since it’s continuously-updated, you’ll always have the latest security patch without having to make manual updates or purchase add-ons. Plus, by investing in the Business Premium version of Office 365, you’ll get data encryption both at rest and in transit, enforced multifactor authentication for users, region-based data residency, and phishing email protection through Outlook. These Office 365 features and benefits can give you peace of mind that your data will stay secure, even with employees accessing it from various locations and devices. 7. Office 365 Email Benefits With Outlook 365 for Business, your emails, calendars, and contact information are automatically synced so the most up to date versions can be accessed from any device you log into. Plus, you can customize every email by creating a custom format, including images, and using your own domain name, and store all the emails you need to keep on hand with 100 GB of storage. With a simplified admin center, Outlook 365 for Business lets you set up new user emails, restore deleted accounts, create custom scripts, and more from any location. Industry-leading anti-malware protection and anti-spam filtering can help guard your business and its employees from email threats such as phishing schemes to keep your precious information safe and secure. 8. File Storage and Sharing Capabilities Another major benefit of Office 365 for Business is its file storage and sharing capabilities. With OneDrive, you’ll be able to access all your files no matter what device you’re logged into, whether it’s a Windows, Mac, or mobile device. You’ll also be able to securely share files both inside and outside your organization, meaning coworkers, customers, and clients alike will be able to access the information they need to keep business moving along. Then, with SharePoint, you can share and manage documents, files, and applications through secure portals to enhance teamwork and collaboration. Whether two remote employees are working together on a project or you’re sending content back and forth with a client for edits and approvals, SharePoint through Office 365 makes it simple. 9. Business Intelligence Office 365 can provide you with valuable data insights that help you do business better, from customer-generated data to information about how your employees are working. The Office 365 business apps your employees use daily will help you gather, organize, and analyze data so you can quickly identify inefficiencies or areas for improvement. With simple-to-read data dashboards, you’ll be able to understand the analytics you’re gathering and apply them in ways that make it possible to work smarter, not harder. Plus, with AI-powered presentation capabilities, Office 365 can suggest layouts, designs, and images for client-facing presentations or internal team workshops or briefs. This way, all your digital presentations will look polished and professional—without you having to spend countless hours manually formatting them yourself. 10. 24/7 Support All tiers of Office 365 for Business come with 24/7 access to Microsoft support both over the phone and online. Plus, by joining Protected Trust’s Teams on Any Surface program, the benefits of Office 365 and your access to support will only be amplified. With this program, you’ll get immediate access to Microsoft software and peace of mind that you’ll always have the latest features and capabilities. Thanks to our hardware renewal service, your Office 365 software will never be outdated! You’ll also have access to our custom security capabilities and TrustCare, our exclusive, continuous support program. With software updates, hardware renewal and warranties, guidance, and training, you’ll never be on your own when it comes to implementing or using Office 365 and the Microsoft suite of business tools. If you’re interested in joining the Teams on Any Surface program or learning more about how the benefits of Office 365 can transform efficiency, collaboration, and security in your business, contact us today!