Managed IT Support - Microsoft Word or Google Docs: Balancing Powerful Includes with Smooth Collaboration
How much do you need out of a word processor? With Microsoft Word or Google Docs, it depends on what you are attempting to achieve.
When thinking about whether your business needs to use Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, the distinction between each's data processing applications might be the make or break aspect.
Microsoft Word and Google Docs both function as cloud-connected writing hubs, however the significance of your files could form your choice.
As users will see throughout M365 and Workspace, the distinction in between desktop and web apps has to do with balancing a few of Microsoft's much deeper features and Google's concentrate on partnership.
In this post, we will look at the distinctions in between Word and Docs, breaking down how the advantages and drawbacks of each might impact your workflow.
Prices
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace are priced per user, monthly, and have different tiers of prices. As it pertains to Word and Docs, the difference in tiers generally only affects storage area and accessibility of the Word desktop app.
The desktop apps are not readily available through Microsoft's Business Basic strategy ($ 5/user/month), so users at that level will have to be satisfied with Word Online.
Microsoft offers 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.
Meanwhile, it consulting every Google Workplace membership includes all its web apps. Google does not have downloadable desktop apps, and all should be run out of a web browser.
When it comes to how much drive storage is readily available across 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 damage in your overall storage, other than perhaps on Google's starter strategy with only 30 GB of drive storage.
One TB of area on Microsoft's many low-cost offering would be ample to house all of your Word files and plenty more.
Overall, the functions throughout both M365 and Workspace will figure out which one of these prices works for you.
Functions
Not every business needs detailed features for composing files, but if you use your word processor to compose more than one-page reports, there is an opportunity you will.
Google Docs is a fantastic application for college students who wish to be able to write basic papers with little format that they can access from anywhere they have a web connection.
Anything more than that, and Docs does not hold a candle to the power of Word. It all comes down to if Docs is enough.
Docs does have some features that Word online does not, like the ability to modify text designs that you utilize consistently, as well as an insertable table of contents.
The desktop version of Word has all the features missing from its online offering, indicating they should be added after the collective element of the document is ended up.
However, Google's offering does not enable particular adjustments to paragraph spacing or paragraph marks at all.
Word also has a deep library of design templates that help to develop the most visually striking documents you can. This makes design basic, as the user just needs to replace placeholder text and images, and input brand name colors.
With the assistance of expert system, Word Ideas will use all its extra functions to help users create the very best file possible. This consists of the design and composing in total.
For instance, Ideas may recommend a header format instead of by hand bolding and focusing text. Text suggestions might be to eliminate jargon or abbreviations in favor of clearer phrasing.
Consider this as the next generation of spellcheck, as it does more than simply correct grammar, making your voice clearer.
Maybe most significantly, Word and its desktop apps offer performance across platforms. Those using Microsoft 365 can quickly incorporate their PowerPoint slides, Excel sheets and charts, and other media from the M365 suite into their files, and vice versa.
Furthermore, as soon as documents reach a certain length, like in the case of research or manuscripts, Google Docs ends up being weighed down. Word is more adept at dealing with long-form files without lag.
Thinking about that lots of services are currently using variations of Microsoft applications, this permits better crossover when dealing with other companies.
M365 users will likely have less problems opening documents from other business, a million of which also use Word worldwide.
When it comes to functions, Word and all of Microsoft 365 will take the crown.
Desktop apps have the capability to house far more functions than a web app, which can be seen throughout M365 and Workspace as a whole.
Collaboration
The applications within Microsoft 365 were built as private, fully formed programs, with the capability of online partnership included later on in their life. Google Workspace was developed with partnership in mind, leaving some of the heftier functions behind.
Both offerings can be modified by multiple individuals concurrently, saving to the selected drive nearly instantly.
Word lags somewhat in contrast to Docs, particularly when working out of the desktop app. Initially, it was not possible to send a collective link in Word online, but that feature has given that been added.
It is also easier to share files rapidly through Docs, and the ability to change consents for other users appears right away when attempting to share.
That feature is just a bit harder to reach with Microsoft, and you should conserve the file to OneDrive to avoid versioning issues.
While the space isn't as large as some will make it seem, Google Docs is absolutely much better for collaborating within companies. It is essential to keep in mind that you may run into compatibility problems with other companies that do not use Docs. Though Google has said it will present compatibility with Microsoft documents given that the launch of their web apps, they are yet to deliver on that guarantee.
Considered that partnership has actually been a focal point during COVID-19, anticipate both suites to continue to focus on growing in this location.
Verdict
So, how much does a company requirement in their word processing program? It depends on the intensity of your files.
If you generally only bear in mind or compose brief internal files, it might behoove you to take advantage of the collaborative elements of Google Docs.
If your organization exports longer manuscripts for proprietary research or uses very particular formatting, you'll absolutely require Microsoft Word. If your organization is sending files to other businesses, Word and 365 ought to ensure compatibility.
The word processors are only one piece of the Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace efficiency suites.
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 actually continued our partnership until today day.