If you’re paying for the full Microsoft 365 suite, don’t make the mistake of using just Outlook and Teams. The platform and its bundles of services offer a wide range of tools that can boost productivity, streamline workflows, and improve collaboration, and it’s all included in your subscription.
By tapping into these lesser-known capabilities, you can get far more value from your monthly expenditure while empowering your team to work smarter. Let’s take a look at some of the Microsoft 365 features and apps that SMBs like yours tend to overlook.
Hidden Microsoft 365 features that provide value without extra costs
These features, apps, and functionalities are present in most Microsoft 365 business service packages, so odds are you already have them available to you.
SharePoint Online Advanced Features
SharePoint is more than just a cloud storage app. It has built-in features that enable you to create internal websites, team portals, and knowledge bases. This makes it far easier to centralize policies, training materials, and project resources so employees always know where to look for the latest information. Now you can take the time wasted from hunting for the right file or slow onboarding processes and put it to something productive.
MyAnalytics
This useful tool is like a fitness app for your employees’ workflows. It shows each user how much time they spend in meetings, answering emails, doing focused work, and much more. With this hard data, your workforce can better manage their time and work-life balance, and you can identify efficiency bottlenecks and opportunities to improve processes.
Microsoft Teams integrations
While you’re likely familiar with Teams’s basic chat and video call features, many SMBs overlook its integration features. You can connect apps like Planner, OneNote, or even third-party tools directly into a Teams workspace. This turns Teams into a hub for all project-related tasks, conversations, and resources, and reduces the need to switch between multiple platforms.
Planner
Microsoft Planner is a lightweight project management tool perfect for small teams that don’t require high-end organizational software. You can create boards, assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress visually. It’s an easy way to organize workloads without having to pay for separate project management software.
Power Automate
Power Automate allows you to create automated workflows between your favorite apps and services without the need for backend coding. For example, you can set it to perform simple tasks without human input, such as automatically saving email attachments to OneDrive or sending alerts via Teams when a new document is uploaded to SharePoint. By automating these tasks, you can reduce repetitive manual tasks and the mental load on your team. .
Forms
Microsoft Forms is analogous to Google Forms, and is a simple yet robust tool for creating surveys, quizzes, and feedback forms. Responses are automatically compiled into easy-to-read charts and can be exported to Excel for easy data tracking. SMBs like yours can use Forms for customer satisfaction surveys, employee check-ins, or event registrations without the need to purchase additional software.
Bookings
This online scheduling tool integrates with Outlook calendars. Customers or clients can self-schedule appointments during preset available times, reducing back-and-forth emails and preventing scheduling errors. If your business offers consultations or service appointments, or you frequently meet with clients, Bookings can be a lifesaver that both your workforce and your customers will appreciate.
Which Microsoft 365 features and apps are best for my business?
Of course, not every app and feature in Microsoft 365 will be ideal or even useful for your business, as your needs and workflows are unique. If you want to discover which ones you should be investing your time into in order to get the best productivity and efficiency benefits, contact USWired for a free consultation.
We’ll discuss your needs and current Microsoft 365 setup to determine how to optimize it for your business. Don’t have it yet? USWired is an official Microsoft Partner, so we can get you direct pricing for a Microsoft 365 service package and help you implement, configure, and maintain all of the best apps for your needs.
