I’ve been thinking about making the jump from Google(email, docs, calendar, etc) to Microsoft’s offerings(Outlook.com, Office, OneDrive, etc). Are there any pros and cons to doing so? I’d most likely buy into Office 365, and I’m okay doing so. So the cost isn’t much of an issue. I guess my main concern is if I leave Google, I’ll be missing out on something.
I work on Windows 10 laptop/desktop, and currently have iOS for mobile. Though I jump to Android every now and then. Also, this is purely consumer, not business.
Sorry if this has been posted before, but I did not find anything in my search. Thanks for the advice!
Bats
<blockquote><a href="#279449"><em>In reply to EcceLex:</em></a></blockquote><p>How exactly do you "power" use Office for your firm?</p><p><br></p><p>If my firm, we just use Word Doc templates for letters and documents. That's actually powered by a plug-in created by the home office and is installed on everyone's machine. That capability is available on Google Docs, but via extension. </p><p><br></p><p>As for Excel, we use it mainly for indexing documents/productions and some light analysis, particularly when it comes to determining duplicate information regarding custodians via Pivot Tables. I don't know if this is can be done using Google Sheets, but being that I've been doing this for years, I am sure someone created an extension by now, to perform similar or better tasks. </p><p><br></p><p>All these docs go into Filesite, which is a plug in for Outlook. LOL…everyone's Outlook is so filled with "plug-ins" the program crashes for a number of people. </p><p><br></p><p>As for Outlook, it's powerful, but not everyone uses or knows how to use it correctly. Unlike Gmail/Contacts you can't create a distribution list to circulate documents unless we actually give it to an IT Admin. With Gmail, that task is supereasy to do. Now with GDPR, in effect, you can protect your recipient's identity by creating and sending that mail to the "group" rather than CC'ing every single person and their email address using Outlook.</p><p><br></p><p>Perhaps the most important software is adobe acrobat, for actual bate stamping and document management</p>
RR
<blockquote><a href="#279495"><em>In reply to paul-thurrott:</em></a></blockquote><p>You kinda have it both ways with some of your Microsoft complaints. It's either O365 are big, heavy, and ponderous by comparison to Google's but when they make UWP items, then the Apps are not command dense enough in comparison to W32. </p><p><br></p>
RR
<blockquote><a href="#279557"><em>In reply to illuminated:</em></a></blockquote><p>? What is "office"? I use O365 and I don't think that's what you are referring to there, it doesn't have any of those problems</p>
RR
<p>You didn't state the reason why you want to switch. That probably matters for getting good advice.</p><p>I use Microsoft services for the most part. I am very satisfied with the offerings. I think Microsoft has been innovating in office at a very high clip (probably pushed by Google and others). A few weeks ago I had to do a presentation (hadn't done one in like ~8 years since I left the corporate world), the powerpoint & other tools of today are like night and day from what I used prior. In hours, I was building like picture and video collages with music overlay using Photos App, with zero experience(I know Google may have similar apps). But powerpoint was also giving me design tips, formatting pages for me, etc (I think that's the AI thing getting in there) all I did was type bullets. not sure if Google has something equivalent, but the bigger point is how improved powerpoint is vs. my days as a consultant. And across the office board like that word, excel, onenote, lots of new tools that make it like stone age was 10 years ago. </p><p>I come across Google services often enough naturally when others share stuff over their freeware system (and I also have gmail). I think they are usable, but nothing special, because on the flip side as well, Microsoft has taken the edge off whatever new thing Google was doing. You can put all the Microsoft files online and share them too, real time, just like Google docs. But I find Google UI generally ugly actually. </p><p>But I think people get used to what they use with that integrated muscle memory; if you have been using Google stuff, you will likely find it quite hard to switch, because no other provider's will be exact replica. Best scenario is if your switch is driven by a strong reason, like a job where you have to make a living etc. But if its something abstract like philosophical, "Google is no longer do no evil" (or whatever their commercial needs demand today) it will be a tough row to hoe. </p>