“Microsoft would say it is the foundation of modern work,” says Jason Wong, Distinguished VP Analyst at Gartner, introducing his definition of the Productivity Suite, adding: “Microsoft 365 offers companies a way to use Office products more strategically – as a set of technologies.”
Although Gartner is also noticing increasing interest in other productivity suites among enterprise customers – especially Google Workspace – Microsoft, with its 365 offering, is a dominant player in the market with a consolidated position within the corporate landscape: “This is partly due to the long-standing on-premises use of Office products,” said the analyst.
In addition to Google, Microsoft faces a variety of other competitors when it comes to productivity. For example:
- Slack,
- Zoom,
- Notion or
- Zoho.
The offerings of these providers compete with individual Microsoft 365 apps, but also expand their product portfolio with the aim of becoming a digital hub in companies. However, according to Gartner’s Wong, this doesn’t necessarily have to be a disadvantage: “Usually there is no either/or in this area. Instead of displacement, many of these tools are more about coexistence.”
Microsoft 365 versions and prices at a glance
Because Microsoft 365 is sold as a subscription, there are monthly or annual fees for each user. As long as the subscription is maintained or paid for, all software updates and upgrades are included at no extra charge.
Below we will focus on the most important versions of Microsoft 365. These are:
