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Assistant consultant at Vvolve management consultants
Real User
Top 5
Stable solution and offers ability to slice and dice data for focused analysis
Pros and Cons
  • "The setup is straightforward."
  • "I would like to see more integration options."

What is our primary use case?

I  use it for Microsoft Excel, which helps with data analysis. It integrates Power BI, allowing us to perform various slicing and dicing of data.

Mostly, I have only used Microsoft 365 Business for emails and PowerPoints as of now.

How has it helped my organization?

The solution includes most of the things we need. We can use it to integrate other source systems as well, like Power BI.

What is most valuable?

It's helpful to even use it to build queries, like Microsoft queries. We can write SQL queries by joining two tables present in Excel itself. So, it's like having two tables in separate sheets, and we can build a query using a common column as a join condition. We can see the key dataset with common columns using the join condition. 

Moreover, we can also perform outer joins, making Microsoft 365 Business ideal for data analysis as well.

What needs improvement?

In future releases, I would like to see more integration options. 

Buyer's Guide
Microsoft 365 Business
April 2025
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft 365 Business. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: April 2025.
849,963 professionals have used our research since 2012.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using it for the past around one year. We currently use the latest version.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is a scalable solution. There are over 10,000 end-users in our organization. It is extensively used in our organization. We do have plans to increase the usage.

For example, I primarily use Excel in Microsoft 365 Business. So, we have options like Excel options; we have add-ins. So under the data tab, we have a data streamer, and we also have Microsoft Power Query for Excel. So using these, we can include the data-related menu bar in Excel software.

How was the initial setup?

The setup is straightforward. We have Excel, and we can use it as it is. It might need an add-in to be included.

We need maintenance primarily for data analysis. We use it to analyze the data, especially when we have a large dataset that we want to segregate and analyze specifically for a particular functionality. In such cases, we can use Excel for slicing and dicing the data. It allows us to focus on a specific chunk of data to make informed decisions.

What about the implementation team?

The deployment was done by our in-house team. It's a direct tool like Microsoft Excel, but there is an add-in that can be used to integrate with other source systems. It may extend the functionality.

We don't have a separate deployment process. Excel is a file that we have as part of Microsoft Office. It's a direct use, but we might need to include an add-in to display or the data-related menu in the Excel menu bar.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

There would be licensing costs because Microsoft 365 Business requires a product key and a license to be present in order to use its products, including Excel and other supportive products.

What other advice do I have?

I would suggest you to start using Excel as a basic step because Excel has its own formulas and functions. They can begin with lookups in Excel and then subsequently move ahead with building queries. 

If a person has only Excel to work with, they can start with that. But they would need to have Microsoft 365 Business to proceed further with other features.

Based on the Excel work that I have done using Excel, which is a part of Microsoft 365. So, for Excel, I would rate it eight out of ten.

Therefore, I would rate the solution an eight out of ten. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Ligor Medina - PeerSpot reviewer
Technology Solutions Manager at KdmConsulting
Real User
Feature-rich, easy to use, stable, and is priced well
Pros and Cons
  • "There is a lot of documentation available that is easy to comprehend and follow."
  • "I am responsible for handling the licenses and was not happy with the amount of time spent during the auditing process."

What is our primary use case?

We are cloud service providers for Microsoft. We offer it as a service to our customers and we are heavy users of Microsoft products.

We use this solution in our office for email and communication through SharePoint and Teams. We maximize the use of the forms that are also included in Office 365.

As the head of our technology solutions group, I use it also for tracking, and surveys within the team. I share the forms with the team and I am able to receive responses from the team. 

I had used Excel and Word for many years even before I started using this solution.

How has it helped my organization?

In the past, offices had to install their own Exchange, but with Office 365 we can enjoy the email that is bundled with it, which is Outlook. 

What is most valuable?

I enjoy using Teams, Outlook, the forms that are provided, and SharePoint because it connects all of us within the team.

We are able to share all of our worksheets, and the collaboration is valuable. This is what makes the Teams feature the part I enjoy the most in this solution.

The storage, cloud storage, and forms are very useful.

There is a lot of documentation available that is easy to comprehend and follow.

What needs improvement?

I have yet to explore all of what this solution offers. At this time, my focus is on learning more about Teams, especially the forms and the collaboration.

The area that consumes a lot of my time is auditing. I am responsible for handling the licenses and was not happy with the amount of time spent during the auditing process.

There is always room for improvement.

For how long have I used the solution?

I started with this company three years ago and that is when I started using Microsoft 365 Business.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Microsoft 365 Business is a stable product.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I have not yet experienced expanding this solution. It provides me with enough resources and enough service. For now, scalability is not something that I am concerned with.

How are customer service and technical support?

We have not contacted the technical support of Microsoft. We have our own technical support team who can support us.

The last time that I had an issue, it was easily resolved by our team. They were able to resolve it easily.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We also provide Hyper-V. We offer the operating system of Microsoft and bundle it when we offer servers for our customers.

I use solutions other than Microsoft 365 Business. I also use SQL, the Windows Server Operating System, and the CALs. I find that CALs is a bit more complicated but because there is a lot of support available, I am able to figure it out. When I ask for clarification and the correct sizing, they provide me with that.

More of us should be more aware of the usage of CALs and how it really works with the operating system.

How was the initial setup?

I was not involved in the initial setup as we have an in-house IT team who is responsible for the installation.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I find the pricing of Microsoft 365 Business to be reasonable. With the other products such as SQL database, they are expensive.

There is a free license with Microsoft, which is the SQL Express. But it would be better if they could improve, or make adjustments to have higher limitations.

The Express is limited based on the capacity of the memory and processor. If my requirements go beyond those limitations then I have to go to the standard edition, which is very expensive.

I would like to see adjustments made to the limitations in SQL Express. It would be very helpful.

What other advice do I have?

I am really very happy using this solution. I am comfortable using it and have asked my team to offer this solution and I have included it as a part of our portfolio.

I encourage my team to offer this solution to some of our customers who are not yet with Office 365.

We have our own management portal and we are partners with Microsoft.

I would definitely recommend this solution to anyone who is not yet using it.

I would rate Microsoft 365 Business a nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: reseller
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft 365 Business
April 2025
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft 365 Business. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: April 2025.
849,963 professionals have used our research since 2012.
System Manager at Clover SA
Real User
Top 20
Simple to use, makes tasks easier, and scalable
Pros and Cons
  • "One of the most valuable features is this solution makes a lot of tasks easier, such as storing files and the maintenance of your infrastructure. additionally, the solution is easy to use."
  • "One of the only aspects that I do not like about Microsoft is that they release solutions into the market without testing them and rely on users to test them."

What is our primary use case?

We are moving most of our applications to the cloud with Microsoft 365 Business. We use many of the applications, such as OneDrive, Teams, and add-ons.

What is most valuable?

One of the most valuable features is this solution makes a lot of tasks easier, such as storing files and the maintenance of your infrastructure. additionally, the solution is easy to use.

What needs improvement?

One of the only aspects that I do not like about Microsoft is that they release solutions into the market without testing them and rely on users to test them.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for more than one year.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I have had no problems with the stability of Microsoft 365 Business.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution in my experience is scalable.

We have approximately 3,500 Active Directory users in my organization and all of them are using Microsoft solutions.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

When I started out at the company I work for we were previously using an email solution called Lotus Notes.

How was the initial setup?

The installation is not my department. However, from what I have heard it seems some of it is easy, while others parts are more difficult.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The price of this solution is expensive and the price could be reduced. The licensing cost is very high because we are using an E5 license for Microsoft.

What other advice do I have?

I recommend this solution to others.

I rate Microsoft 365 Business an eight out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
ElastosChimwanda - PeerSpot reviewer
Head of Internal Audit at Zimbabwe Women's Microfinance Bank (ZWMB)
Real User
Top 20
A scalable and easy-to-deploy tool that performs well and provides good security features
Pros and Cons
  • "The security provided by the solution is valuable."
  • "The stability could be improved."

What is our primary use case?

I use the solution for emails.

What is most valuable?

The security provided by the solution is valuable. It works well.

What needs improvement?

The stability could be improved.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the solution for some years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I rate the tool’s stability an eight out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The tool is scalable. Approximately 200 people are using the product in our organization. We need ten people to deploy and maintain the tool.

How was the initial setup?

The setup is easy. I can do it by myself.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The solution is not very expensive.

What other advice do I have?

I recommend the product to others. Overall, I rate the tool an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Business Head at MCS india
Real User
Top 10
An easy-to-use business solution that needs to improve its interface
Pros and Cons
  • "Microsoft 365 Business is an easy-to-use solution."
  • "The tool should improve its interface."

What is our primary use case?

We use the product for business processes. 

What is most valuable?

Microsoft 365 Business is an easy-to-use solution. 

What needs improvement?

The tool should improve its interface.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the product for ten years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I rate the product's stability a nine out of ten. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Microsoft 365 Business is scalable. 

How was the initial setup?

Microsoft 365 Business' deployment is easy. Deployment is completed in 10 days. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Microsoft 365 Business is expensive. 

What other advice do I have?

I rate the product an eight out of ten. 

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Business solution Manager at NFPC
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
Scalable product with a good user interface
Pros and Cons
  • "The platform has a good performance. It helps us in finding emails."
  • "There could be more integration with different platforms for the product."

What is our primary use case?

We use the product for sending and receiving emails.

What is most valuable?

The platform has a good performance. It helps us in finding emails.

What needs improvement?

There could be more integration with different platforms for the product.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using Microsoft 365 Business for four or five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I rate the platform’s stability an eight or nine out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have more than 200 Microsoft 365 Business users in our organization. It is a scalable product. We plan to increase the number of licenses. However, it will be expensive.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup process takes less than a day to complete. It requires one executive to work on it.

What about the implementation team?

We have a technical team and a consultant to assist with product implementation.

What was our ROI?

Microsoft 365 Business generates a return on investment for us.

What other advice do I have?

I recommend Microsoft 365 Business and rate it an eight out of ten. Its user interface works fine.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Owner at GGZ Oost Brabant
Real User
Scalable and stable, but it's challenging to migrate over from a legacy system
Pros and Cons
  • "The scalability is very good."
  • "If you're looking at Microsoft 365, Intune is a part of that as well and Intune is kind of a nightmare."

What is most valuable?

In my case, I have a lot of different email domains and they're all hosted in the same environment. With the older exchange on-premise, that gave a lot of conflict with the user IDs, as the client runs on the same workstation. That usually started a lot of headaches for me and my IT supplier. With Office 365, that's no longer a problem.

The solution is stable.

The scalability is very good.

What needs improvement?

When you're looking at the management of the endpoints, for example, Intune leaves a lot to be desired.

If you're looking at Microsoft 365, Intune is part of that as well and Intune is kind of a nightmare.

The Office platform hasn't changed too much, apart from the fact that the server backend has moved to the cloud. In the cloud, some things work a little better and then some things work a little worse than before.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using the solution for about one and a half years at this point.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is very stable. There are no bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution can scale well. If a company needs to expand it, it can.

How are customer service and technical support?

I don't have experience with technical support. We got it outsourced, so I don't need to contact Microsoft myself, apart from when I put my IT architect hat on. For my employer, I need to deal with Microsoft in terms of license procurements and so on, however, for the rest, for the technical stuff, we don't need to contact Microsoft.

What other advice do I have?

I'm a customer and an end-user.

I'm looking at it from two perspectives, one from my employer and one from my own company. And yeah, within my own company, I don't have problems with managing endpoints or whatever. The only thing I had was, with the multiple user IDs on the same backend, which now is no problem anymore. That used to be a big problem. They've fixed it now.

I'd rate the solution at a seven out of ten.

I would recommend, if you have an extensive older environment, and you're migrating towards Microsoft 365, to get a partner who has a lot of experience in doing these kinds of migrations. I would take very much into consideration that, if you have a company that has extensive contact with the outside world using email, and then generic mailboxes, and all that stuff, group mailboxes, the world actually changes when you move to Microsoft 365. That takes a lot of adjustment and it takes a lot of work during the transition. The quality of the IT partner that advises you, assists you, manages this for you, can to a large part be graded upon how this piece of the entire puzzle is managed. The problem we had was that there were a lot of changes from the older setup compared to the new setup in 365, and that cost us months of trouble.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Principal Architect at Microland Limited
Real User
Easy to use and scalable, with lots of new features added regularly
Pros and Cons
  • "It is easy to use."
  • "If Microsoft could do something about data loss prevention, that would be ideal."

What is our primary use case?

The solution is used heavily at our customer's end. Our businesses involve consulting in a lot of stuff related to accounting and other various business aspects. They are heavy users of Office 365 applications such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and, of course, Outlook. Outlook is the lifeline of this business. All business communication happens through it.

What is most valuable?

It is easy to use. 

It's mostly stable. There are no issues.

Support can be reached easily. 

They are constantly adding new features every week or every month or so. They really think about what the customers need and they work to build that into the product.

The scalability has been good. 

What needs improvement?

We had some hiccups where people would inadvertently send things out to external parties. When they realized, they just blame Outlook for being at fault, however, they do not think of themselves as a problem. They do not try to make changes to the behavior that they follow. That's why we are trying to figure out what other solutions are out there - to see which could probably aid end users. We need something to stop them before they send out an email to an external party. If they're prompted to check before sending, we can prevent data from getting leaked out to external parties. I'm not sure if that's a feature that could possibly be added to Outlook.

If Microsoft could do something about data loss prevention, that would be ideal. There needs to be more than just the capability of flagging an end-user.

Of late, the support has been very patchy at Microsoft's end. It's been like this for about one to two years now. From a support perspective, if you want to rank how good the support is, it's probably around seven at this point in time.

There used to be a lot of articles, however, they've dropped off or have gotten removed and therefore there's less available knowledge online. They need to work on building up their documentation again.

The solution could always be a bit more secure.

If there was a way to make the product more intuitive, that would be helpful for the end-users.

For how long have I used the solution?

We've been using the solution from the start - when Microsoft started with 365. At that time, it was Office 365. Prior to that, it was called Exchange Online. I've been there from the start. It would probably be six to seven years plus of experience that I have with 365.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is a stable platform. If any issues come up, Microsoft is able to fix them quite easily. Some issues take time. That depends on the complexity of the product. However, overall, from an enterprise standpoint, we are pretty satisfied with Microsoft.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is scalable. Microsoft is based on a cloud platform. Therefore, anytime we have new users or a new company that is onboarded into our organization, we are able to do it pretty easily. It doesn't take a lot of effort and Microsoft is there to help us out if there are deployment issues.

We have hundreds of thousands of users on the solution.

There are hundreds of people who are in our engineering department and some of them are outsourced. There are more than, I would say, 500 people who are involved in M365. The exact numbers I don't have.

How are customer service and technical support?

Support is okay, however, it could be better. Over the last few years, I have noticed it is not as consistent as it once was. That's an aspect they could improve.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is something I do not deal with. That said, it's a straightforward install for end-users and we have SCCM and Intune that helps in the installation process. Intune is not being used. It's mostly SCCM that is used to deploy applications. Implementation is something that a different group does. I cannot say how good or how bad the experience is. It's my understanding that it just depends.

A couple of years back, before I joined the company as a contractor, they made the switch to Exchange Online. They had a dedicated subscription. There's a public cloud and a private cloud. They have some sort of a private cloud where they have specific servers allocated to this firm. A couple of years back, around three or four years back, the company decided to move out from that into a completely public cloud. Now, the firm is on an entirely public cloud.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The product's cost is based on a monthly license per user. We pay a certain amount per month, per year and that's about it. That's all I know from licensing perspective. It is monthly that it is billed.

What other advice do I have?

I'm a consultant.

Basically, you sign up for the service, you get your email account, and then you get access to something like SharePoint, Teams, and other Microsoft services. It's a complete solution within the cloud.

The product is pretty perfect. I'd rate it at a ten out of ten.

I would say other enterprises should use the solution. A lot of enterprises are using Microsoft 365 because of its strengths and the way new features are released. A lot of customers like us are interested in trying out new products and new features as they come.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user