One of the most important choices for a business is the type of tech ecosystem you’re going to use. This includes both the hardware systems and software platforms that will power your office.
53% of surveyed employees say they could be more productive at work if their employer provided the right digital tools.
Unfortunately, many companies are behind when it comes to optimizing their business technology. Many don’t have a unified plan in place, which causes employees to have to jump between too many different applications and different interfaces.
To build a cohesive and productive technology strategy, it helps to have a strong foundation through an all-in-one solution.
For hardware operating systems, the choice is typically between Microsoft and Apple.
For cloud office productivity suites, the choice is typically between Microsoft (again) and Google.
We’ll take a look at each matchup below and the pros and cons of each one to help you make an informed decision about how to best build your company’s technology foundation.
OS Matchup: Microsoft’s Windows 10 vs Apple’s macOS
One of the most important foundational elements of your office IT is going to be the main operating system you use for your computers and mobile devices.
It’s important to consider mobile as well because now mobile devices make up about 60% of a company’s endpoints and do approximately 80% of the workload.
While one OS might be better for desktops, employees might like a different one for mobile, so you really want to make a considered choice, because it’s easier and more fluid if you use the same system for all your devices.
Here are some considerations when choosing an operating system ecosystem.
Performance
Apple’s OS is synonymous with its hardware because unlike Microsoft, Apple doesn’t allow a bunch of hardware manufacturers to make systems using its operating system.
When you buy Apple, you’re not just getting the OS, you’re getting a high-performance computer and can expect a fairly consistent experience with all iMac and MacBook purchases.
Windows 10 on the other hand can be run on multiple computer types, from Acer to Dell to HP, and many more. The OS performance itself is fine, but the experience can vary because you have so many hardware choices, both high-end and cheaper.
Compatibility & Productivity Tools
Apple has its own set of productivity tools – Pages, Numbers, Keynote – that take the place of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. They work very well, however most of the world uses the Microsoft versions, so if you choose Mac, your office workflows will all have to add converting documents to the Microsoft standard before sharing outside your office to ensure they can be opened.
Windows 10 provides a better overall experience when it comes to working in the Office programs, since they’re both made by Microsoft. While there is a Mac version of Office, features aren’t exactly the same, and the experience isn’t quite as fluid.
Windows 10 considerations:
● Pro: Many built-in security features
● Con: The Office programs aren’t free with the OS, unlike Apple’s
● Pro: Most commonly used worldwide
● Con: Varying performance due to multiple hardware manufacturers
macOS considerations:
● Pro: Known for superior performance
● Con: Less file compatibility with those outside your organization
● Pro: Apple’s OS has typically been a step or two ahead of Microsoft’s
● Con: More expensive, fewer options for keyboards and peripherals
Productivity Suite Matchup: Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace
After the hardware and OS you use, the next most important foundation for your employee experience is going to be the productivity suite you choose. These are your core programs that employees use all day long for things like email, document creation, spreadsheets, and communication.
Here are some considerations between Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace.
Ease of Offline Use
While most of the world is connected all day long, it’s still important to have a good offline option for working in certain productivity tools for document creation.
Here, Microsoft 365 has the edge because Office was an offline software first before it was brought to the cloud. It still has a version of the tools that you download onto your computer and can use offline in addition to an online version.
Google Workspace (formerly called G Suite) was designed for online use, and while you can create documents offline, the experience and ease of use isn’t the same as Microsoft’s tools.
Compatibility
Microsoft wins again when it comes to document compatibility with others outside your organization. Google’s tools (Docs, Sheets, Slides) can convert to the more popular formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), but again, you have to go through an extra workflow step of conversion.
Virtual Work Hub
Microsoft Teams is far ahead of Google’s Meet when it comes to doing more than just video conferencing. Teams is more of a complete virtual work hub and can handle channeled chat, in document collaboration in the app, VoIP (with Business Voice add-in), and much more.
Microsoft also just brought out a new employee experience add-in called Viva, adding even more value to Teams. Google doesn’t really have anything to match this app yet.
Microsoft 365 considerations:
● Pro: Has all the popular Office tools, plus many other cloud tools
● Con: Not quite as streamlined as Google’s interface
Google Workspace considerations:
● Pro: Includes the most popular mail program, Gmail
● Con: Less ability to easily work offline
Need Help Building a Productive Technology Foundation?
Phoenix Edge Technologies can help your business choose and implement the right foundational tools to power a productive team.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation. Call 415-651-5110 or reach us online.
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