Why Microsoft 365 is essential for modern businesses. Cloud productivity, collaboration, security features and what Perth businesses need to know.
The Shift from Office Licences to Microsoft 365
The days of buying a one-off Office licence and running it for five years are over. Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) has fundamentally changed how businesses access productivity tools — and for good reason.
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Microsoft 365 isn't just Word and Excel anymore. It's a complete cloud productivity and security platform that most businesses can't afford to ignore.
For Perth businesses — especially medical practices, law firms, and professional services — Microsoft 365 has become the backbone of daily operations. Here's why.
What Microsoft 365 Includes
Microsoft 365 Business plans include far more than the traditional Office suite:
- Office Apps — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook (desktop, web, and mobile)
- Exchange Online — Business email with custom domain, 50GB mailbox
- Teams — Video conferencing, chat, and collaboration
- SharePoint & OneDrive — Cloud file storage and sharing
- Security Features — Multi-factor authentication, data loss prevention, conditional access policies
- Compliance Tools — Retention policies, eDiscovery, audit logs
- Intune — Device management for laptops, phones, and tablets
Why It Matters for Australian Businesses
Always Up to Date
Microsoft 365 subscriptions include automatic updates. No more running Office 2016 on Windows 11 and wondering why things break. You always have the latest features and security patches.
Work From Anywhere
Cloud-based storage and email mean your team can work from the office, home, or anywhere with an internet connection. For medical practices with multiple locations, this is particularly valuable.
Built-In Security
Microsoft 365 Business Premium includes enterprise-grade security features that would cost thousands to replicate separately. For businesses handling sensitive data — patient records, legal documents, financial information — this baseline security is critical.
Compliance and Data Sovereignty
Microsoft operates Australian data centres in Sydney and Melbourne. For businesses subject to the Australian Privacy Act, keeping data onshore simplifies compliance obligations.
Choosing the Right Plan
| Plan | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| ------ | ---------- | ------------- |
| Business Basic | Email and cloud storage only | Exchange, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive |
| Business Standard | Most small businesses | Everything in Basic + desktop Office apps |
| Business Premium | Security-conscious businesses | Everything in Standard + Intune, Defender, DLP |
Common Migration Mistakes
- Not planning mailbox migration properly — Lost emails and calendar entries are avoidable with proper planning
- Ignoring DNS configuration — SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records must be set correctly or your emails will land in spam
- Skipping user training — Teams and SharePoint are powerful but only if staff actually use them
- Forgetting shared mailboxes — Reception, admin, and info@ addresses need to be migrated too
How SkyComm Helps
SkyComm manages Microsoft 365 deployments for businesses across Perth — from initial setup and migration to ongoing management and support. We handle licensing, DNS configuration, email migration, security policies, and staff training so you can focus on running your business.
Need help with Microsoft 365? Contact SkyComm on 1800 957 977 for a free consultation.
SkyComm IT Solutions
Perth's leading medical and business IT support provider. Trusted by healthcare practices, law firms, and businesses across Western Australia for over 20 years.
