The Top 5 Microsoft 365 Tools You've Never Heard Of!
Most small and mid sized businesses will be using Microsoft 365 everyday, mainly Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams every day. But Microsoft 365 includes so much more than these familiar apps. Many powerful tools are built in that you’re paying for but probably overlooking.
As a result many businesses end up buying extra software to solve problems Microsoft 365 already covers. This leads to unnecessary costs, more systems to manage and added complexity for IT teams.
In this blog we explore five Microsoft 365 tools that are often missed and how they can improve productivity, collaboration and cost control.
Why Using The Full Microsoft 365 Suite Matters
If you are already paying for Microsoft 365 it makes sense to actually get the most value from it. Understanding what tools are included can help your business work smarter while reducing your spend.
The key benefits include
• Lower software costs by avoiding duplicate subscriptions
• Better collaboration across teams
• Improved security by keeping data inside the Microsoft environment
With budgets under pressure these built in tools can make a real difference to efficiency and performance.
Microsoft Planner: Simple Project Management Built In
Microsoft Planner helps teams organise tasks and projects without needing extra software. It offers a visual way to manage work similar to popular project tools but is already included in Microsoft 365.
If you’re planning a campaign you can assign tasks, set deadlines and track progress in one place. Because Planner connects with Teams and Outlook updates also appear where people already work.
Microsoft Forms: Fast And Secure Surveys
Microsoft Forms makes it easy to create surveys, quizzes and feedback forms in minutes. Many businesses still use external survey tools like Survey Monkey even though Forms is already available.
HR teams can collect employee feedback and sales teams can gather customer insights quickly after a project ends. Results are automatically organised and can be analysed further in Excel.
Using Forms saves time, keeps data secure and removes the need for extra platforms.
Microsoft Whiteboard: Better Collaboration For Hybrid Teams
With hybrid working still common, collaboration needs to work across locations. Microsoft Whiteboard brings visual brainstorming into Teams with a shared digital canvas.
Teams can sketch ideas, map processes and vote on concepts together whether they are in the office or remote. This keeps sessions engaging and inclusive and supports creative thinking.
Lots of organisations pay for separate whiteboard apps without realising Whiteboard is already part of Microsoft 365.
Microsoft Loop: A Smarter Way To Work On Content Together
Loop is one of the newest Microsoft 365 tools and one of the least understood. It allows teams to work on shared content across Teams Outlook and OneNote at the same time.
Instead of sending document versions back and forth everyone edits the same content and changes update instantly everywhere it appears. There is always one current version.
You can also access a range of templates from project briefs, meeting notes, media lists and more.
This reduces admin work, speeds up decisions and keeps everyone aligned.
Microsoft Bookings: Easy Scheduling Without Email Chains
Booking meetings can be surprisingly time consuming. Microsoft Bookings lets clients or colleagues schedule time directly based on your availability.
You can send a booking link allowing clients to choose a time that suits them without long email threads and appointments and it will automatically sync to your calendar.
Bookings saves time, improves the customer experience and keeps personal data inside Microsoft 365.
Get More Value From Microsoft 365
All of these apps are more than just extras, they can replace tools you may already be paying for while improving how your team works.
By using the tools you already own you can
• Reduce software costs
• Improve collaboration and productivity
• Strengthen security and data control
If you want to understand which Microsoft 365 tools could have the biggest impact on your business get in touch with our expert team today. You may already have more value at your fingertips than you realise.