6 Benefits of Office 365 for a Business

If you have been using the desktop-based Microsoft office suite for your business, you may be reluctant to switch to online office tools. Luckily, it is easy to use O ffice 365 for your business operations.

It can function like a hybrid that lets you use your favorite software both online and offline at your own convenience.

Microsoft’s Office 365 contains all the important software such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook as found in the offline version.

In this article, we will discuss the top 6 benefits to expect when you migrate to Office 365.

1. Use Team Editing

When using Office offline, you have to wait for your team member to finish preparing a document before you can appraise, compare and analyze it. With O ffice 365 , you can edit and co-author a document along with your team members in real-time.

It is as easy as setting up sync for your OneDrive Office 365 subscription. When documents are shared, every authorized employee can access, make edits and provide suggestions for the project.

You also have an option to revoke edit access when the document is finally approved. In addition, you can always track who made what changes to specific documents.

Administrators also have the ability to authorize or reverse team members revisions as they see fit.

 

2. Reduce Infrastructure Costs

Before the popularity of cloud-based applications, small businesses with large data had to purchase and configure their own servers to handle various projects. This adds an extra overhead cost especially when the infrastructure needs to be replaced or upgraded. 

A single O ffice 365 product can provide all the essential tools you need to run your business at a lower cost. You can make calls and video conferences and use instant messaging company-wide with no additional expense. This can boost your business’s productivity and bottom line.

Migrating to this cloud based program  requires mainly the optimization of existing infrastructure.

 

3. Use Familiar Applications

Microsoft Office dominates the office software market and you are likely to be using one or more of these products for your business. 

If you don’t want to give up the software you are familiar with, Office 365 gives you the means to use identical desktop apps in the cloud without the need to relearn them. Whether it is Word or Excel, Office 365 provides a seamless app experience for your business.

 

4. Work from Anywhere

Do you often need to rush down to your office to complete a client’s project?

Office 365 provides a better option.

You or your employee can access your work data or document from anywhere using your laptop, tablet or smartphone. That is the beauty and convenience of cloud computing.

As long as there is an internet connection, you can carry your work with you everywhere since your data resides in a Microsoft data center that can be accessed through the internet. 

With Office 365 , you don’t have to worry about forgetting to bring a file or storage device with you to a client or business meeting. You may also sync files locally from O neDrive when you are offline.

 

5. Enhanced Security

Data security is an important factor for a business when considering the hacking threats against small businesses.

Office 365 has an advanced security system that prevents unauthorized parties from accessing critical business files.

Your documents, network and emails are kept safe with O ffice 365 . You also have the right to limit or extend access to files for team members. If a device is lost or stolen, you can remotely wipe off the Office 365 data on it.

 

6. Get Business Intelligence

As an administrator, you can get business insights about employees’ interaction with customers. You may use such information to enhance your business productivity and profits. Office 365 allows access to critical data from a single interface so you can analyze them, implement changes and make employees work better.

 

In addition to Office 365, another cloud based option is Google G Suite. Check out our most recent article about how using G Suite can also help be a benefit to your business.

Common IT Security Compliance Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

June 17, 2025
Meeting IT security compliance standards is crucial for businesses that handle sensitive data, particularly in industries such as healthcare, finance, defense, and e-commerce. Regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, CMMC, PCI-DSS, and GDPR exist to help ensure businesses protect customer information and maintain robust cybersecurity practices. Unfortunately, many organizations fall short of these requirements, often due to common, avoidable mistakes. These gaps can result in costly fines, data breaches, and reputational damage, which can significantly impact the business's bottom line and customer trust. 1. Failing to Conduct Regular Risk Assessments The Pitfall: Many businesses overlook the importance of conducting routine risk assessments. Without these, it’s challenging to identify vulnerabilities or evaluate whether your current cybersecurity controls meet compliance standards. How to Avoid It: Implement a regular risk assessment schedule. Work with a qualified IT provider to evaluate your systems, identify weaknesses, and document remediation plans. These assessments should be performed at least annually, or whenever significant changes to the system occur. 2. Inadequate Employee Training The Pitfall: Your employees are your first line of defense—and often your most significant vulnerability. A common compliance issue arises when businesses fail to train staff on cybersecurity best practices or on handling sensitive data appropriately. How to Avoid It: Invest in ongoing cybersecurity awareness training. Ensure employees understand how to recognize phishing emails, create strong passwords, and report any suspicious activity. Training should be updated regularly to reflect current threats and compliance requirements. 3. Improper Data Handling and Storage The Pitfall: Storing sensitive data in unsecured locations, failing to encrypt information, or retaining data longer than necessary are significant compliance risks. These practices are often flagged during audits. How to Avoid It: Adopt data classification policies that define how different types of data should be handled; encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit. Establish clear data retention policies and ensure that obsolete data is disposed of securely. 4. Lack of Incident Response Planning The Pitfall: When a security incident occurs, time is of the essence. Many businesses lack a documented incident response plan, or their existing plan hasn’t been thoroughly tested. This can lead to delayed responses, increased damage, and regulatory penalties. How to Avoid It: Develop a formal incident response plan that includes roles, responsibilities, communication protocols, and steps for containment and recovery. Run simulated breach scenarios with your IT team to ensure everyone knows how to respond effectively. 5. Using Outdated Software or Systems The Pitfall: Running outdated operating systems, software, or firmware is a common issue that can lead to compliance failures. Unsupported technologies are more vulnerable to exploitation. How to Avoid It: Keep all systems and applications up to date with the latest patches. Use automated tools to track software versions and receive alerts about end-of-life technologies. Schedule regular maintenance windows to apply updates and upgrades. 6. Insufficient Access Controls The Pitfall: Allowing too many employees access to sensitive data—or failing to revoke access when it’s no longer needed—can lead to data breaches and non-compliance. How to Avoid It: Implement role-based access controls and follow the principle of least privilege. This principle means that each user should have the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions to ensure access is current and appropriate. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an additional layer of protection. 7. Neglecting Third-Party Vendor Risks The Pitfall: Businesses often overlook the fact that their compliance responsibilities extend to third-party vendors. If a vendor mishandles your data, you could still be held accountable. How to Avoid It: Vet third-party vendors carefully. Ensure they meet the same compliance standards as your business and include security requirements in your contracts. Conduct periodic audits or request compliance certifications from your vendors. 8. Failing to Document Policies and Procedures The Pitfall: Even if your security practices are strong, failing to document your compliance policies can result in audit failures. Regulators want to see evidence that you have formal processes in place. How to Avoid It: Create and maintain clear documentation for all compliance-related policies, including data protection, access control, incident response, and employee training. Make these documents easily accessible for audits and regularly review them to ensure updates are current. Conclusion Compliance with IT security standards is not a one-time project—it requires ongoing attention, regular updates, and a proactive approach to maintain effectiveness. By understanding and addressing these common pitfalls, your business can stay ahead of regulatory requirements, strengthen its security posture, and reduce the risk of costly incidents. This ongoing attention is crucial to maintaining your business's security and audit readiness. If you’re unsure whether your business is meeting current IT compliance standards, professional support can help. Contact SDTEK today to schedule a compliance assessment and learn how our IT services can keep your business secure and audit-ready. With our support, you can navigate the complex landscape of IT security compliance with confidence.

Why Cybersecurity and Business IT Support Are Crucial for Fort Wayne Businesses

April 9, 2025
In today’s digital-first world, cybersecurity isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you run a small startup or a growing enterprise in Fort Wayne , protecting your business’s data, systems, and clients is essential for long-term success. From ransomware attacks to phishing scams, cyber threats are evolving every day, and the best way to stay ahead of them is by partnering with a reliable IT services provider that understands the unique needs of local businesses. Here’s why investing in professional business IT support is one of the smartest decisions Fort Wayne businesses can make—and how working with SDTEK helps protect your operations, your data, and your reputation.