Why Choose ADITS as Your Microsoft 365 Services Provider

Microsoft 365 services are no longer just a collection of apps, they are the operational backbone of modern organisations. From communication and document management to security and compliance, the platform shapes how teams work every day. Many organisations quickly discover that success with Microsoft 365 depends less on purchasing licences and more on how the environment is configured, managed, and supported.  

ADITS works alongside companies as a trusted Microsoft 365 services provider, helping turn the platform into a reliable business system. This article explains what a provider does, why it matters, and how managed support delivers long-term value. 

What Does a Microsoft 365 Services Provider Do? 

A Microsoft 365 services provider helps organisations move from simply using tools to running a well-managed digital workplace. Instead of reactive troubleshooting, providers deliver structured office 365 services and ongoing office 365 support that align technology with operational needs. 

A provider typically supports organisations by: 

  • Setting up and configuring Microsoft 365 environments correctly from the start 
  • Managing user accounts, permissions, and access controls 
  • Monitoring security settings and protecting organisational data 
  • Supporting email, Teams, SharePoint, and collaboration workflows 
  • Applying updates, compliance policies, and governance standards 
  • Providing helpdesk support for staff and administrators 
  • Advising on best practices and platform improvements as needs evolve 

The goal is to ensure that Microsoft 365 continues to support productivity, security, and organisational growth. 

Managing Microsoft 365 Beyond Licences 

Managing Microsoft 365 effectively requires far more than assigning licences. The real work happens in the background, ensuring the platform is secure, compliant, and tailored to how your organisation functions. 

A managed service provider supports this by overseeing: 

  • User management: onboarding/offboarding, permissions, identity management, and account hygiene. 
  • Security configuration: MFA, conditional access, threat protection, data governance, and secure device settings. 
  • Policy enforcement: standardising rules for email, data sharing, retention, information handling, and application access. 
  • Platform optimisation: improving Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Exchange performance while ensuring bestpractice configuration. 

Ongoing Support vs One-Time Setup Explained 

Setting up Microsoft 365 is relatively straightforward but maintaining it is where most organisations run into challenges. A DIY setup may get users online, yet it often leaves gaps in security, governance, and long-term reliability. A one-time configuration also can’t account for changing staff, evolving threats, or new Microsoft features. 

Ongoing managed support ensures your Microsoft 365 environment is monitored, updated, secured, and aligned with day-to-day operations. It means issues are resolved quickly, risks are reduced, and your organisation continues to get value well beyond the initial setup. 

Core Responsibilities of a Microsoft 365 Services Provider 

A Microsoft 365 services provider delivers structured, ongoing management to keep your environment secure, compliant, and optimised. Core responsibilities typically include: 

  • Tenant configuration and optimisation: Implementing best-practice setup for Exchange, Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive. 
  • User onboarding and offboarding: Ensuring access is granted appropriately — and removed promptly when needed. 
  • Security and compliance management: Applying policies, enforcing MFA, monitoring threats, and managing data governance. 
  • Backup and data protection: Preventing data loss and ensuring recoverability across Microsoft 365 workloads. 
  • Ongoing Office 365 support: Providing responsive assistance to keep staff productive and minimise disruption. 

For more detail, you can explore ADITS’ full list of services here.

Why Hire a Managed Microsoft 365 Services Provider? 

Microsoft 365 is a powerful platform, but unlocking its full potential requires ongoing management, security oversight, and strategic configuration. For many organisations, this is difficult to maintain in-house. A managed Microsoft 365 services provider, like ADITS, ensures your environment is set up correctly, monitored continuously, and optimised for long-term performance. 

Instead of relying on adhoc troubleshooting or stretched internal IT resources, ADITS delivers structured Office 365 managed services that keep your systems running smoothly. This removes complexity, reduces risk, and allows your team to focus on core work, all while knowing your Microsoft 365 environment is managed by certified professionals who understand your industry and operational needs. 

How Managed Microsoft 365 Services Reduce Business Risk 

Without expert oversight, Microsoft 365 environments can develop hidden risks that impact security, productivity, and data integrity. ADITS can help reduce these risks by ensuring configurations follow best practice, minimising issues caused by incorrect permissions, unmonitored settings, or outdated policies. 

Through careful governance and proactive monitoring, ADITS can protect organisations from data loss, whether due to accidental deletion, system misconfiguration, or ransomware. The team also strengthens your security posture by enforcing MFA, conditional access, and threatprotection measures that many environments lack when selfmanaged. 

By addressing these vulnerabilities early, a managed Microsoft 365 services give organisations confidence that their Microsoft 365 environment is secure, compliant, and resilient. 

Business Benefits of Outsourcing Microsoft 365 Management 

Partnering with ADITS for Microsoft 365 management delivers a range of operational, security, and productivity benefits: 

  • Improved security posture: ADITS continually reviews and optimises Microsoft 365 security settings, ensuring your organisation stays protected against evolving cyber threats. 
  • Reduced internal IT workload: Routine tasks such as user management, policy updates, and troubleshooting are handled by ADITS, freeing your team to focus on highvalue initiatives. 
  • Predictable support costs: With a managed service model, you gain ongoing support, monitoring, and maintenance for a consistent monthly investment. 
  • Better user experience: Staff benefit from a wellconfigured, reliable Microsoft 365 environment that works the way it should. 
  • Faster issue resolution: ADITS’ support team quickly responds to problems, preventing downtime and keeping your organisation productive. 

Explore ADITS’ Microsoft 365 services here. 

Microsoft 365 Security and Compliance Considerations 

Security and compliance remain core priorities for organisations using Microsoft 365, especially across sectors with strict data protection requirements. ADITS helps strengthen your security posture by implementing MultiFactor Authentication (MFA), enforcing data governance policies, and configuring Microsoft 365 in line with Australian regulatory expectations.  

By aligning bestpractice security controls from platforms like Microsoft Learn with requirements outlined by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), ADITS ensures your environment is protected, compliant, and ready to support evolving organisational needs. 

How ADITS Supports Businesses with Microsoft 365 Services 

ADITS offers full Microsoft 365 services to help businesses make the most of their digital workplace. ADITS not only focus on the technical setup, but they also look at security, productivity, user experience, and long-term business goals.  

ADITS helps teams operate more efficiently, collaborate safely, and stay safe from new threats by offering proactive management, configuration, and Office 365 support. They offer a wide range of services, such as managing users and security, protecting data, optimising tenants, and giving strategic advice on how to use new features or make workflows better. 

What makes ADITS unique is that they focus on what each company needs. They work closely with stakeholders to make sure that Microsoft 365 is set up in a way that fits with staff standards, internal processes, and compliance needs. This partnership-based approach means that businesses get both ongoing technical help and long-term advice on how to keep Microsoft 365 in line with changes in the business and how it works. 

Tailored Microsoft 365 Support for Different Business Sizes 

ADITS offers Microsoft 365 support that can grow with your business, so it can meet the needs of businesses at different stages of growth. Small to mid-sized businesses benefit from easier management, better security, and faster support that takes some of the work off their internal teams. On the other hand, businesses that are growing often need more structured governance, better security, and strategic planning to handle bigger user groups and more complicated needs. 

ADITS also looks at the specific needs of each industry, such as healthcare, education, NFP, and professional services, to make sure that Microsoft 365 environments meet the compliance, data protection, and operational needs of each sector. 

Local Microsoft 365 Support Across Queensland 

With teams based in both Brisbane and Townsville, ADITS provides reliable, local Microsoft 365 expertise for organisations across Queensland. Their regional presence means faster response times, ontheground support when needed, and a deeper understanding of the challenges local businesses face. 

Whether you’re supported through the Microsoft 365 support in Brisbane or their Townsville Microsoft 365 services, you gain access to a team that values relationships, clear communication, and practical outcomes. This localised approach ensures Microsoft 365 is not only wellmanaged but fully aligned to real-world operational needs across Queensland. 

When to Speak with a Microsoft 365 Specialist 

There are times when you need to bring in a Microsoft 365 expert. When a business grows quickly, it often gets too many new users, licenses, and security issues to handle on its own. Security issues, like unauthorised entry, policies that aren’t set up correctly, or rising cyber risks, are another sign that you need professional help. And when planning a migration, restructuring your tenant, or optimising Teams, SharePoint, or Exchange, specialist support ensures the process is smooth and riskfree.

Hiring a professional early on helps keep things running smoothly and makes sure that Microsoft 365 continues to support your business well. 

How to migrate from Slack to Microsoft Teams

In 2024, Microsoft Teams reached 320 million active users each month, more than twice what it was just a few years back! That kind of adoption doesn’t happen by accident. It shows just how much businesses value built-in collaboration tools today.

If your team’s been using Slack but you’re thinking about making the switch to Microsoft Teams, you’re definitely not the only ones. Lots of companies are choosing Teams because it offers tighter integrations, stronger security and all-in-one communication tools.

While it’s promising, the move isn’t always as straightforward as flipping a switch. There’s data to transfer, workflows to rethink and teams to prepare. But don’t worry. We’ll break it all down for you in this guide, so your migration is clear-cut, well-organised and gets your team up and running quickly.

What is Slack used for?

Slack is a popular messaging platform that helps teams communicate in real-time. It’s built around Workspaces which are like virtual offices.

Basically, inside each Slack workspace you’ll find channels which function as chat rooms where team members can talk about specific topics, projects or departments. You can also send direct messages in private channels to individuals or small groups.

One of Slack’s biggest strengths is how easy it is to customise. It connects with thousands of third-party apps, such as Google Drive, Zoom, Trello, and more, so teams can create a workflow that suits their needs. That’s why it’s incredibly popular with startups and tech-savvy teams who want flexibility and a wide range of tools to plug in.

What makes Microsoft Teams different?

While Slack stands out when it comes to flexibility and third-party integrations, Microsoft Teams is built with productivity and structure in mind, especially for businesses already using Microsoft 365.

Instead of Workspaces and Channels, Teams is structured around Teams and Channels (yes, the naming is similar but the layout is more tightly connected to your organisation’s structure). Within each Team, you can create channels for different projects, departments or tasks, which makes it much easier to keep conversations organised.

What sets Teams apart is how deeply it’s integrated with Microsoft tools like Outlook, OneDrive, SharePoint, Excel and Word. You can schedule meetings, collaborate on documents in real-time, and manage tasks without switching apps. Essentially, it’s an all-in-one hub for communication, collaboration and daily workflow.

Slack vs. Microsoft Teams: Key differences at a glance

You’re up to speed now on how each platform works. Let’s now make these differences even clearer with a side-by-side breakdown, highlighting what sets them apart in terms of structure, features and overall fit for your business:

Feature

Slack

Microsoft Teams

How it’s organised Workspaces with channels Teams made up of channels
Best for Flexible setups with lots of custom app integrations Structured collaboration within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem
App integrations Focuses on 3rd-party tools (e.g. Zoom, Google Drive, Trello) Built-in tools like Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint and OneDrive
File sharing Basic file sharing, often through external apps Integrated file management with SharePoint and OneDrive
Meetings Relies on external apps for voice/video calls Built-in video meetings, screen sharing and scheduling via Outlook
Security and compliance Flexible but depends on app settings and plan level Enterprise-grade Microsoft security and compliance built-in

How to migrate from Slack to Microsoft Teams: Step-by-step guide

Now that you’ve seen how Microsoft Teams compares to Slack, let’s dive into the actual migration. This process involves more than just moving files from one platform to the next. It requires careful planning and execution, so let’s walk you through each step: 

Step 1: Plan your migration

Before making any moves, take time to audit your existing Slack environment. This ensures you only bring over what you need. Start by identifying:

  • Active channels: Both public and private channels. Which ones are still being used?
  • Direct messages: Are there conversations or files you’ll need to reference later?
  • User roles and permissions: Who has admin access? Who needs to be in which Team?
  • Connected apps and integrations: Note which tools are linked to Slack (e.g. Google Drive, Trello).

Next, decide what’s worth migrating. You don’t have to move everything. Archiving old content or unused channels now will help you avoid clutter in Teams.

Finally, sketch out your ideal Teams structure. Ask yourself:

  • What Teams should be created (e.g. Marketing, Projects, Operations)?
  • What Channels should live inside each Team?
  • Who needs access to what?

Step 2: Partner with a Microsoft specialist

Moving from Slack to Microsoft Teams can feel difficult, but having the right help really makes a world of difference. Instead of going it alone or relying just on general tools, working with a Microsoft specialist means a smoother, safer migration that fits your organisation perfectly.

A trusted Microsoft partner will:

  • Take a close look at your setup and what you want to achieve.
  • Create a tailored migration plan that keeps downtime and data loss to a minimum.
  • Manage user mapping, permissions and app connections with care.
  • Offer ongoing support before, during and after the move, so your team stays confident and productive.

Step 3: Map your users and channels

Before you start migrating, it’s important to make sure every Slack user has a matching Microsoft Teams account. Usually, this means syncing users through Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) or Microsoft 365 to keep things secure and straightforward.

Next, think about how your Slack channels will fit into Teams. It’s not always a one-to-one swap:

  • A single Slack workspace might turn into one big Team, or you might break it up into several Teams depending on your organisation’s needs.
  • Individual Slack channels could become channels within a Team. Or, if they’re large or separate enough, they might even become their own Teams.

This step is a perfect chance to take a fresh look at how your team works together. You can reorganise channels and Teams to better reflect your current workflows.

Step 4: Keep your team in the loop

A successful Slack to Teams migration doesn’t just rely on the right technology. It also depends on your people, which is why clear, early communication with your team is key.

Here’s what to share with them (and when):

  • The migration timeline: Let everyone know when the switch is happening and what to expect at each stage.
  • What’s coming over: Be clear about what data (messages, files, channels) will be migrated, and what won’t.
  • Any action required: For example, will they need to sign into Microsoft Teams, reset passwords or reconnect any apps?
  • Where to get support: Direct people to a contact, helpdesk or internal guide if they have questions or experience issues.

It’s also a great idea at this stage to offer training resources, such as videos, how-to guides or live demos. This will help get your team familiar with Microsoft Teams before the switch happens.

Step 5: Run a test migration

Before rolling out the migration across your entire organisation, it’s smart to run a pilot with a small group of users. This trial run gives you a chance to catch any issues early and make adjustments before going live.

Here’s what you can test during the pilot:

  • Formatting and data accuracy: Are messages, files and channels showing up correctly in Teams?
  • User permissions: Do the right people have access to the right Teams and channels?
  • App functionality: Are connected tools and workflows behaving as expected?

Step 6: Launch the full migration

Once your test run has gone smoothly and your team’s up to speed, it’s time to go live with the full migration.

Try to schedule the switch during a quiet time, like after hours or over the weekend. This will help make sure your team isn’t disrupted mid-project. Then, once the move is done, take a moment to check that everything landed where it should. For example:

  • Are channels and messages showing up correctly?
  • Can everyone access the files they need?
  • Are the right people in the right Teams with the right permissions?

After that, help your team settle into the new platform. Encourage team leads to explore some of the built-in features, such as shared calendars, real-time file collaboration and scheduling meetings directly in Teams. The more confident they feel using it, the faster your whole team will get comfortable.

Ready to make the switch?

Migrating from Slack to Microsoft 365 isn’t simply a technology upgrade. It’s your chance to rethink how your team connects, shares and works together across your business. 

With the right preparation and support, this process can be smooth, efficient and a huge win for your business. At ADITS, we’re passionate about guiding businesses like yours through every stage of their digital migration, from initial planning to implementation and long-term support.

Take the stress out of switching platforms. Contact us now and let’s make your move to Microsoft Teams smooth and successful.

8 Must-Have Microsoft 365 Customisations for Your Business

Running an SMB in Queensland comes with no shortage of challenges. From juggling limited resources to keeping up with growing cyber threats, staying competitive in a digital-first world means working smarter – not harder. 

This is where Microsoft 365 provides a competitive advantage. While many businesses use it for the basics (email, documents, spreadsheets), few realise just how customisable the platform is. With a few simple tweaks, you can transform Microsoft 365 into a tailored productivity engine that supports the way your business works. 

These customisations have the potential to unlock incredible value. And they aren’t just for tech experts. Most can be implemented with minimal effort, guided setup, or built-in features, in just a few clicks – no need for expensive technical expertise or ongoing maintenance! Whether you want to streamline processes, strengthen security or improve how your team collaborates, the tools are already at your fingertips. 

Let’s discuss eight practical Microsoft 365 customisations that can help your business get more from your investment, starting today. 

One thing is clear: a modern workplace needs modern tools. And customising Microsoft 365 helps your business operate more efficiently, and stay protected.

1. Implement branded email signatures and templates

First impressions count. For many businesses, that starts with an email. A consistent, professional email signature reinforces your brand, builds trust and ensures key contact information is always easy to find. 

With Microsoft 365, you can set up branded signatures in Outlook, complete with your logo, contact details and links, so your team stays on-brand, every time. 

Outlook templates are another easy win. Save time on repeated emails like quotes or confirmations by creating reusable templates. It’s a simple way to boost professionalism and productivity without having to rewrite the same messaging. 

2. Automate onboarding workflows

Welcoming a new team member shouldn’t create a mountain of manual tasks. With Power Automate in Microsoft 365, you can create simple onboarding workflows that trigger automatically – like sending newcomers welcome emails, setting up their accounts and assigning training tasks. 

Automation simplifies new employee set up, saves time, ensures nothing gets missed and delivers a smoother, more professional experience for your new team members. Plus, once it’s set up, it runs in the background. Meaning your team can focus less on admin, and have more time for work that makes a difference. 

3. Share files securely with OneDrive & SharePoint

Collaboration is essential, and maintaining control over your files is just as important. With OneDrive and SharePoint, you can customise file permissions – choosing who can view, edit or download files, or even set expiration dates for shared links. 

These simple settings help protect sensitive information, while making collaboration easy. Whether you’re working with clients, contractors or remote staff, secure sharing ensures the right people have access at the right time, without compromising your data or relying on third-party tools.

4. Turn Microsoft Teams into your digital HQ

Microsoft Teams can be more than just a messaging app – it can be the central hub for your business. Consider customising it in the following ways: 

  • Create custom channels – for departments, projects or clients to keep conversations organised and easy to find. 
  • Integrate Microsoft Planner – to assign and track tasks directly in Teams. 
  • Use Microsoft Forms – for quick polls, surveys or check-ins. 
  • Connect third-party apps – to keep all your tools in one place. 

With a well-structured Teams setup, your staff can collaborate, plan and stay aligned, no matter where they’re working. 

5. Strengthen security with MFA and conditional access policies

Protect your business from cyber threats by enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) in Microsoft 365. MFA adds an extra verification step, making it harder for hackers to access accounts, even if passwords are compromised. These settings significantly reduce the risk of phishing attacks and data breaches.

6. Visualise your data with custom Power BI dashboards

Make smarter decisions by turning your Microsoft 365 data into easy-to-understand visuals using Power BI – no data team required. Custom dashboards can show key business insights like sales trends, customer feedback or marketing ROI in real time. 

Power BI can integrate seamlessly with your existing tools, helping you track performance and spot opportunities quickly. With intuitive charts and reports, your team stays informed and empowered to act on data, not guesswork.

7. Streamline marketing and admin with email automation

Did you know you can use Power Automate and Outlook rules to reduce repetitive email work? Set up auto-responders for form submissions, automatic responses for common enquiries, schedule follow-up emails or route leads to the right team member, without the manual effort.  

These automations are particularly valuable in streamlining marketing and admin tasks, freeing up your teams to focus on higher-value work. With simple setups that require little technical know-how, you can improve response times, ensure consistency and keep your customer communication flowing smoothly.

8. Simplify client scheduling with Microsoft Bookings

Make booking appointments effortless for your clients with Microsoft Bookings – a professional, self-service scheduling tool. Clients can view available times and book meetings online, without the back-and-forth emails. 

Bookings can integrates with your Microsoft 365 calendar to automatically update availability and send reminders (a useful way to also reduce no-shows and scheduling conflicts). This simple customisation enhances the customer experience, saves admin and helps your business run more smoothly.

Customising Microsoft 365 unlocks powerful opportunities to work smarter, protect your business and retain a professional edge – without heavy IT overheads. Small changes can make a big difference in how your team collaborates, works and achieves success every day.  

Ready to get more from Microsoft 365? Gain support with Microsoft 365 Services and discover how simple customisations can transform your business. 

5 Ways Microsoft Copilot Can Help You Deliver Exceptional Customer Service

Microsoft Copilot is one of the most advanced, innovative AI-powered tools available, designed to seamlessly enhance productivity in Microsoft 365. With the ability to streamline operations, improve customer service and drive more meaningful customer interactions, it’s a game-changer for businesses looking to elevate their customer experience. 

To start using Copilot and take advantage of its incredible benefits, you’ll need a Microsoft 365 Business Premium subscription.  

Let’s discuss the top five ways your business can leverage this incredibly powerful tool to deliver exceptional customer experiences. 

Beyond customer service, Copilot has a wide range of applications across industries. Explore practical, real-world examples in our article: 7 Ways to Work Smarter (Not Harder) with Microsoft Copilot. 

1. Deliver More Personalised Service Offerings

Microsoft Copilot leverages AI to analyse customer data, including preferences, past interactions and specific needs. Consider how valuable it could be to tap into this valuable information to create tailored service offerings, personalised bundles or exclusive features that speak directly to each customer.  

Offering tailored solutions is a great way to make your customers feel heard and understood.  

Relevant recommendations deliver more personalised services to customers, with the potential to lead to higher satisfaction and adoption. This level of attention can build loyalty, positive feedback and turn customers into long-term advocates. 

2. Optimise Service Processes and Workflows 

Microsoft Copilot can enable your teams to streamline service delivery processes, automate repetitive, everyday tasks and improve efficiency behind the scenes. By doing the heavy lifting, it can facilitate faster, more reliable customer service. It also allows your team to focus on more complex issues, reducing errors, speeding up response times and improving overall efficiency.  

In optimising your service processes, consider too, the value of Copilot’s integration capabilities and scalability.  

Integration with Existing Tools

Copilot integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft 365 tools like Teams and Outlook, enhancing service delivery by centralising customer data and communication.  

Your teams can quickly access customer data and insights from the tool they’re already using, reducing response times, improving accuracy of customer interactions – without having to switch between multiple apps. 

For instance, imagine one of your employees meets with a client via Microsoft Teams to address an issue. Copilot can automatically generate a summary of the meeting, capturing key points and action items. This summary can then be shared with relevant teams (e.g., product support) within Teams for quick follow-up. Copilot can also use Outlook to track follow-up emails and deliver timely, personalised customer communications.  

Scalability

As your business grows, Copilot can scale with you, by adapting to increasing service demands, without sacrificing efficiency.  

By automating more tasks and optimising workflows, Copilot helps ensure that your service delivery remains fast, reliable and cost-effective, no matter how large your team or customer base becomes. 

3. Facilitate Seamless Information Flow and Collaboration 

Microsoft Copilot has the power to improve communication and collaboration across your teams, such as sales and finance. How? It acts as a centralised source of information to streamline workflows. This keeps all your teams on the same page to deliver more cohesive, efficient customer experiences. 

The value of creating a seamless flow of information reduces friction for customers, and better allows them to receive consistent, unified service from team members, no matter their department.  

The result: stronger, more positive customer relationships.   

4. Gather and Analyse Service Feedback More Effectively 

Microsoft Copilot makes it easier to collect targeted feedback from your customers, about specific aspects of your service. It can analyse this data to identify areas for improvement – whether that be your service delivery process or the service itself.  

Your teams can use these valuable insights to make informed decisions, adjustments and improvements.  

By analysing feedback, Copilot facilitates continuous improvement of your service quality, based on direct customer input. This enables your business to stay responsive and provide relevant services according to your customers’ needs. 

5. Provide More Personalised Communication Around Service Updates and Changes

Microsoft Copilot can enable your business to craft personalised communications about service updates, outages or new features, so your customers receive timely, relevant information. 

It can tailor messaging based on customer profiles and past interactions – so your business can communicate in a way that’s clear, and meaningful for individual customers.  

This approach improves transparency, keeps your customers informed and reduces frustration during service-related events. When customers feel well-informed, they’re more likely to stay engaged. And your business is more likely to retain their trust.  

Best Practices to Optimise Service Delivery with Copilot 

To maximise the value of Microsoft Copilot, start by understanding your service delivery model and identifying where AI can have the greatest impact. Here are some key best practices to keep in mind: 

  • Integrate Copilot strategically – incorporate it into your existing service delivery workflows for smoother adoption and better results.
  • Ensure data accuracy and use AI responsibly – keep privacy, compliant integration and security top-of-mind. 

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  • Train your service teams – educate them about how to use Copilot’s capabilities effectively to enhance their workflows.
  • Regularly monitor Copilot’s impact on service quality metrics – confirm it’s meeting your goals.
  • Maintain a human-centered approach – use Copilot as a tool to augment, not replace, the human element in your service delivery. 

Use these considerations and best-practice recommendations to optimise Copilot’s potential and elevate your service delivery. 

Ready to explore how Microsoft Copilot and AI can transform your business? Visit our AI Hub to stay up to date with the latest insights, and sign up so you never miss an update. 

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade to Microsoft 365 Business Premium

Let’s face it. Staying competitive and keeping pace with rapid technology advancements is no cake walk. But continuing to struggle with outdated software or disconnected systems can lead to significant losses for your business. It can get in the way of productivity, team collaboration, and even impact digital security.  

Whether you’re using a basic Microsoft licence or considering making the switch from Google Workspace, let’s explore a more comprehensive solution. Getting  support with Microsoft 365 services and harnessing the value of Business Premium is the answer to these challenges. Microsoft 365 Business Premium delivers a powerful, all-in-one suite of tools to help your business operate more securely and efficiently. Here’s why.  

1. Enhance Security 

Considering there are as many as 10 cyber attacks reported every hour in Australia, it’s critically important to take proactive steps to defend against cyber risks and protect sensitive data.  

Microsoft 365 Business Premium includes robust tools for maintaining a secure environment, like Advanced Threat Protection (ATP), Microsoft Defender, and Data Loss Prevention. Strong security tools like these can be invaluable for your business in safeguarding against external threats and internal vulnerabilities.

 

2. Streamline Collaboration and Productivity

Upgrading to Business Premium can transform collaboration, productivity, processes, communication, and accessibility for your team. Use Teams to facilitate comms, and OneDrive and SharePoint to share files and work on documents simultaneously – especially valuable for teams working in hybrid or remote environments. Since everything lives within an integrated system, your teams can avoid the headache of switching between platforms and get work done more quickly and effectively.  

Note: Basic Microsoft licences provide applications like Teams, Exchange, OneDrive, and SharePoint but it only offers web/mobile-based versions of essential apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Lacking the full functionality of desktop versions can limit your team’s capabilities.   

 

3. Secure Data Access for Remote Teams

For many businesses, hybrid and remote working arrangements have become the norm. Perhaps you’re in the same boat. The thing is, this type of flexibility needs to be backed by secure processes for managing devices that have access to company data.  

Business Premium plans provide Mobile Device Management (MDM) support. This enables you to control access to sensitive data on authorised personal and work devices. MDM can allow you to implement security policies, wipe lost or stolen devices remotely and manage applications and settings. It’s vital to protect important data, no matter where your people work.  

 

4. Get More for Your Money

While upgrading to a premium plan may seem like an additional outlay, it can actually give you more bang for your buck in the long-term. It brings together everything you need (baseline security, productivity and communication tools) in a cost-effective, all-in-one package.  

Eliminating the need for third-party apps or multiple software licenses can make it easier for your business to streamline operations and consolidate costs. It’s also easily scalable to grow alongside your business.  

 

5. Simplify IT Management 

Microsoft 365 Business Premium is easy to manage, so those of you with internal IT employees can spend more time focusing on your business and less time managing the complexities of IT. A centralised admin panel gives you the ability to manage applications, data, devices and users more efficiently. Better yet, you can implement automated updates and compliance tools, reducing the time investment for performing things like routine maintenance and security patches. This can also free up time for your IT team to focus on strategic initiatives that drive business growth.  

 

6. Transition Easily

For businesses considering making the switch from other environments, like Google Workspace, the process isn’t as daunting or complex as you might think. Microsoft offers easy migration tools to create a seamless transition, without interrupting daily operations.  

Microsoft’s support teams are also available to guide your businesses through the transition, ensuring minimal downtime and a smooth shift to the new environment. 

  

7. Future-Proof Your Business 

As technology evolves, Microsoft continues to stay ahead of the curve. Business Premium is constantly updated with the latest features and security patches, meaning you’ll be equipped with the latest tools to stay competitive. Because of Microsoft’s focus on agility and innovation, Business Premium offers a future-ready solution that adapts to new industry trends and technologies, and contributes to long-term growth and sustainability. 

  

Embrace the change 

Considering making the switch or upgrading to Microsoft 365 Business Premium? It’s a strategic move that supports security, efficiency and future readiness. You don’t need to be a tech wizard to gain the benefits of increased protection, seamless collaboration tools, and simplified IT management. Harnessing these features can enable you to get back to focusing on what matters most for your business: growth, innovation, and achieving your mission. Whether you’re looking to enhance security, improve productivity or get more for your money, a premium licence can equip your organisation well for the modern digital landscape. The time for change is now. Lay the foundation for success with leading technology.  

Transform your organisation with Microsoft Business Premium today 

How NFPs Can Harness Microsoft 365 to Enhance Their Mission

NFPs have an invaluable role creating social impact and making the world a better place. But too often, outdated technology and limited resources hinder your capabilities. While your willingness to do more may be limitless, your capacity to do more may not.  

Technology has the power to change that. The right digital tools can support your NFP to streamline operations, improve collaboration, and free up time and resources to focus on your mission. Microsoft 365 is a powerful, viable and cost-effective solution to do just that – equipping your team with enterprise-level productivity capabilities, increased security, and better communication tools.  

Let’s explore challenges, opportunities, and ways you can unlock the full potential of our Microsoft 365 services to drive greater impact. 

What challenges exist, and how can IT Bridge the Gap?  

Having a depth of experience supporting NFPs with IT services, we understand many organisations can be challenged by limited IT budgets, ways your budget can be allocated, and tech know-how. What’s more, many rely on outdated systems, which can slow down operations, create security risks, and make collaboration difficult.  

Modernising your technology suite can empower your team members and volunteers to spend less time navigating inefficient systems, and more time driving your mission forward.  

Consider how enhancing technology can maximise your resources and time, as well as your ability to increase fundraising activities, collect donations online and communicate with donors, supporters and other key stakeholders.  

Improving your organisation’s digital maturity and IT capabilities is an effective way to:   

  • improve collaboration – enable your team to work seamlessly and collaboratively using cloud-based tools, regardless of their location.  
  • enhance productivity – utilise intuitive applications, automation tools, and planning tools to simplify tasks and reduce manual workload. 
  • strengthen data security – improve your ability to support compliance, data privacy and security with built-in protections to safeguard sensitive information. 
  • scale operations – adjust services to meet your organisation’s changing needs, without major upfront investments (only pay for what you use and access technology grants and discounts, exclusive to NFPs).  

Microsoft 365 enables NFPs to work smarter, not harder, protect your data, enhance team capabilities, and drive meaningful change.   

Key Microsoft 365 Services that Supercharge NFP Operations 

Many NFPs are improving their digital maturity by utilising different platforms, from websites and social media, to email marketing. But using IT in bits and pieces doesn’t equate to digital transformation.  

Wouldn’t it be great if you could open one software, and everything was there?  

This is where Microsoft 365 comes in – delivering a suite of tools within a unified platform. With everything in one place, operations can become more streamlined, allowing your team to work more effectively toward their goals. 

Let’s cover some key applications that make a difference improving NFP operations:  

  • Office 365 services – access must-have document creation and collaboration tools like Word, Excel and PowerPoint.  
  • Outlook – enable your team to manage emails, calendars, tasks and contacts.  
  • Teams, SharePoint & OneDrive – facilitate your team’s ability to share files, conduct meetings, collaborate in real time, and keep projects on track.  
  • Microsoft Defender – safeguard personal data and devices.  
  • Designer – create, design and edit anything (with AI capabilities).  
  • Clipchamp – use advanced video editing software, with premium filters, effects, brand kits, and export capabilities.  
  • Copilot – take advantage of Microsoft’s AI assistant in select apps.  

Microsoft 365 include a variety of applications that help NFPs protect what’s important, elevate your content, make everyday tasks easier, and focus more on your mission – less on IT concerns.  

Did you know: more than 90% of non-profits with high digital maturity believe technology has helped their organisation be more efficient or improved their mission impact? Find out more in our eBook: Unlock Your Microsoft 365 Benefits to Multiply Your Mission Impact.  

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Keep Your IT Secure and Up to Date with Microsoft 365 Services 

If you’re limited by technical resources or keen to take the hassle out of maintaining your technology, consider getting support with Microsoft 365.  

Our Microsoft 365 services ensure your platform is up to date with the latest security, features, and performance improvements. Gaining support from a trusted Microsoft partner with regular updates is a great way to enhance cyber security, reduce downtime and ensure your team is always working with optimised tools.  

Migrating your business to the cloud can enable your NFP to focus on your mission, with IT expertise to handle the complexities of system maintenance, security, and improvements. 

Access Discounted Microsoft 365 Services 

“Microsoft Tech for Social Impact” provides affordable, accessible technology and tools to help NFPs of all sizes achieve their mission. It’s a great way to decrease IT expenditure, while better equipping your team. Learn more about Microsoft’s discounts, plans, and technology grants for eligible NFPs to access enterprise-grade tools at lower costs. 

Throughout the industry, more NFPs are relying on Microsoft 365 services as a cost-effective way to overcome IT complexity, improve collaboration, work more efficiently and enhance security. Leveraging these applications within a unified platform can help you focus on what matters most: achieving your mission.  

Every hour saved, task simplified, and connection made can take you one step further in having a greater impact in the communities you serve. 

Motivated to tap into your NFP’s potential with Microsoft 365? Learn more about our Microsoft 365 services and book your free consultation with our specialists today. 

Why Microsoft 365’s Built-in Backup Isn’t Enough

The importance of data backup cannot be overstated. Ask yourself what would become of your business if you were to lose critical information?

Not only do accidental deletions, hardware failures, or cyberattacks result in business disruption, but they can also damage your reputation, and lead to unexpected financial costs. In Australia alone, the average cost of a data breach has increased by 32% in the last five years.

If you’re enjoying the benefits of Microsoft 365, you might think your business is safe thanks to the built-in backup feature. Unfortunately, even the tech giant acknowledges that it cannot guarantee the security of data stored in its cloud services.

Moreover, there are known vulnerabilities and emerging threats specifically targeting Microsoft SharePoint, a widely used component of Microsoft 365. Recent reports have highlighted security flaws in SharePoint that are being actively exploited by malicious actors, posing significant risks to organisations relying on this platform.

These limitations underscore the need for robust, multi-layered backup solutions that go beyond the built-in options provided by Microsoft 365.

 

Microsoft 365’s Built-In Backup Features Work

Microsoft 365’s backup features can work with small, individual files. They’re better suited for short-term recovery needs, such as accidental deletions or edits of a project or document. This means that while Microsoft ensures that it won’t lose your data, it does not make any guarantees about restoring data if you do. Let’s dive into some of these backup features.

File History

This enables you to back up specific folders on your local device and allows you to restore previous versions of files in case of accidental deletion or modifications.

However, File History only protects what’s in designated folders on your local device. It doesn’t cover your entire Microsoft 365 environment, which might include emails, shared documents, or data from other applications.

It also has limited functionality. It does not create system image backups for a full system restore, which is crucial for recovering from major system crashes.

Moreover, backups are stored on your local device, which can fill up quickly and become vulnerable if your device suffers a hardware failure. If your local drive fails, you lose both your original data and the backup.

OneDrive Versioning

This feature keeps track of previous versions of files stored in your OneDrive account. It’s useful for reverting to an earlier document draft. However, version history only goes back a certain period, as defined by Microsoft. If you need to recover a file from months ago, this feature won’t be able to help.

There are also security concerns. Microsoft emphasises data protection within their cloud storage, but a successful breach or sophisticated ransomware attack could still compromise your OneDrive backups. Keep in mind that cloud security is a shared responsibility, according to Microsoft – you will always be responsible for your data, endpoints, account, and access management.

Retention Policies

Retention policies can automatically archive or delete older data based on set rules, but they are not true backup solutions. They don’t create a separate copy of your data, and deleted items might be permanently unrecoverable after a specific timeframe. Accidental deletions or data breaches could still result in permanent data loss.

Litigation Hold

This helps preserve emails, even deleted ones, for a set period. It temporarily safeguards specific user mailboxes or data sets during legal proceedings.

Recycle Bins

Recycle bins are not really meant for backups but can be a safety net for recently deleted emails, documents, and other files. You can recover items accidentally trashed, but only within a specific timeframe (typically 30 to 90 days).

 

Explore Beyond Microsoft 365 Backup Features

An independent, third-party, backup solution is the best way to protection organisations against the most common data loss pitfalls and Microsoft’s limited native recovery capabilities.

Here are our thoughts on why we think a combined effort is the way to go.

  • Flexible retention: Third-party backup solutions often provide significantly longer retention periods compared to Microsoft 365’s built-in options. This means you can keep your data for years, ensuring that you have access to historical information whenever needed. This is particularly important for businesses that need to comply with long-term data retention policies.
  • Granular recovery: One of the standout features of third-party backup solutions is the ability to perform granular recovery. This means you can restore specific items, such as individual emails, files, or even specific versions of documents, without having to recover entire mailboxes or sites. This level of precision can save time and reduce disruption during the recovery process.
  • Automatic and Continuous: Backups run automatically and continuously. You don’t need to remember to manually back up your data because automatic backups are scheduled at regular intervals to ensure continuous protection. Some solutions can capture changes to your data as they happen, so you’re always covered, even for accidental deletions or edits made just moments before.
  • Enhanced Security: Cloud backup providers offer advanced security features.
    • Encryption: Data is encrypted both in transit (between your devices and the cloud) and at rest (within the cloud) using industry-standard encryption protocols.
    • Access Controls: You can define who can access your backups and what level of access they have, ensuring only authorised users can view or restore data.
    • Additional Features: Cloud backup solutions may offer features like multi-factor authentication (MFA) and anomaly detection for further security enhancements.
  • Attuned with 3-2-1: A cloud-based backup aligns with the 3-2-1 backup rule. This helps optimise data security, with 3 copies of your data on 2 different media types, with at least 1 offsite or cloud copy.

 

Embrace a Proactive Approach to Your Backup Strategy

Data security is a cornerstone of business resilience. It is important to understand the criticality of your data to find the backup solution adapted to your needs.

Don’t wait for a data loss incident to uncover the gaps in your current backup strategy. Whether you’re in Brisbane, Townsville, or anywhere across Queensland, take proactive steps now to safeguard your business’s most valuable asset—its data. Investing in a robust, multi-layered backup solution is not just a precaution; it’s a strategic move to ensure business continuity and peace of mind.

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Ensuring Data Security and Compliance with Microsoft 365

Did you know that having cyber security covered doesn’t necessarily mean that requirements for privacy laws are in place?

After a few years of major cyber attacks making headlines, we would hope that there is an increasing understanding of the critical importance of cyber security. However now, the focus needs to also be on data privacy.

Why?

  • Financial services clients want their data to be secure.
  • Patients want Healthcare services to keep their records confidential.
  • Donors to Nonprofits want their personal information properly handled.

Data privacy is about protecting people. Of course, all organisations wish for better security, but not everybody does what is needed for data protection. When it becomes an afterthought, it can lead to the impression that privacy and security are at odds with one another.

However, when done strategically, ensuring data privacy can lead to:

  • Trust and Confidence: When customers are confident that their data is secure with you, they are more likely to do business with you.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Non-compliance with strict regulations can result in hefty fines and legal consequences.
  • Competitive Advantage: Customers are becoming more concerned about data privacy issues, so organisations that prioritise it can gain a competitive edge.

An ally in your quest for better data protection is Microsoft 365. The leader in cloud-based productivity software provides a range of features and practices to help organisations protect their sensitive information. In this article, we’ll look at how Microsoft 365 can help to protect your organisation’s data while meeting rigorous compliance requirements.

Security Features in Microsoft 365

What’s in Microsoft 365 that can help you create a resilient digital environment? Here’s an overview of Microsoft (Office) 365 security and compliance features.

FEATURE* DESCRIPTION ROLE EXAMPLE
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Adds an extra layer of security on top of passwords; users who log in must provide a second form of verification (like a text message or an authentication app) Reduces the risk of unauthorised access; even if a password is compromised, MFA prevents account breaches If an employee’s credentials get compromised, MFA can stop criminals in their tracks.
Microsoft Defender Formerly known as Advanced Threat Protection (ATP), shields against sophisticated cyber threats, including phishing emails, malware, and zero-day attacks Scans attachments and links in emails, blocking malicious content before it reaches your inbox When a staff member receives an email claiming to be from a trusted client and ATP detects a suspicious link, it prevents them from clicking and thwarts a potential phishing attack.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Prevents accidental or intentional data leaks, by identifying sensitive information (e.g., credit card numbers, health records) and enforcing policies to prevent unauthorised sharing Ensures that confidential data stays within your organisation, minimising the risk of accidental exposure When an employee tries to email a customer list containing personal details, DLP flags the action, preventing accidental leakage and maintaining compliance.
Information Rights Management (IRM) Allows control over who can access, forward, or print specific documents or emails, encrypting files and restricting actions based on permissions Secures sensitive documents, even when shared externally, so that only authorised recipients can view or modify them When you share a confidential contract with a partner, IRM ensures that they can read it but can’t forward it to others without permission.

*These are all included with a Microsoft 365 Business Premium licence at no extra cost.

Staying Healthy with Microsoft Secure Score

Using Microsoft 365 Secure Score is like having a built-in security health checkup. It evaluates how well you’re protecting your digital assets, including data, devices, and applications. The better your security practices, the higher your score. Secure Score can recommend where you can improve, then you can create an action plan to implement recommended actions.

The Secure Score feature is included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium and available once you start using the suite. You don’t need to set up Secure Score, and you can view it in the Defender for Cloud Overview dashboard. The score automatically updates every day.

Some recent updates to Microsoft Secure Score can further enhance your security posture:

  • Phishing-resistant MFA strength is required for administrators
  • Windows Azure Service Management API is limited to administrative roles
  • Internal phishing protection for Microsoft Forms is enabled
  • SharePoint guest users cannot share items they don’t own

Compliance Capabilities in Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 supports these compliance standards:

  • ISO 27001: Outlines best practices for information security management systems and helps improve security controls and risk management
  • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): Helps protect healthcare data, controlling access, and maintaining audit trails
  • Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA): Guides banks, credit unions, insurance companies, and other financial services institutions in outsourcing material business activities like cloud computing services
  • Privacy Act 1988 (Cth): Governs personal information handling by businesses, with Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) outlining how to collect, use, and disclose personal data
  • Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) Scheme: Mandates businesses to report eligible data breaches to affected individuals and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)

To monitor compliance with these standards, your IT expert can log in to your Microsoft 365 admin centre and navigate to the Security and Compliance section. Choose the relevant modules then configure settings and set up policies. If a standard is not available, you can contact an external IT professional with GRC capability to map out its requirements to your security policies and settings.

Key Compliance Tools in Microsoft 365

The features below can help enhance your compliance:

Tool Description
Compliance Manager
  • Helps track compliance tasks and assessments
  • Simplifies complex regulatory requirements
  • Provides a quantifiable compliance score to track your efforts
Compliance Score
  • Quantifies compliance efforts across various controls
  • Measures your adherence to standards
  • Enables continuous improvement by spotting gaps
eDiscovery
  • Vital for legal and regulatory purposes
  • Allows you to search, hold, and export content for legal cases
  • Ensures compliance during litigation or investigations
Audit Log Search
  • Aids in monitoring and investigating security incidents
  • Tracks user and admin activities within Microsoft 365
  • Provides an audit trail for compliance audits

Best Practices for Data Protection and Governance

Here are some key best practices for enhancing data security in your organisation, particularly when using Microsoft 365:

  1. Prioritise data encryption, ensuring sensitive information is obscured from unauthorised access, even within Microsoft 365
  2. Implement MFA to add an extra layer of security, deterring potential breaches
  3. Regularly update access permissions, reflecting changes in roles and responsibilities, to maintain tight control over data access
  4. Conduct frequent security awareness training, fostering a culture of vigilance and proactive protection among your team
  5. Utilise Microsoft 365’s advanced threat protection features to guard against sophisticated cyber threats
  6. Establish clear data governance policies that define the handling, storage, and transmission of data, aligning with industry standards
  7. Engage in continuous monitoring and auditing of data activities to quickly identify and address any irregularities or vulnerabilities
  8. Embrace a strategy of least privilege, limiting user access to the minimum necessary for their role, reducing the risk of internal threats
  9. Back up data regularly, ensuring business continuity and resilience in the face of unexpected data loss incidents.
  10. Stay informed about the latest security trends and updates, adapting your strategies to the evolving digital landscape.

Microsoft 365 Compliance and Cyber Security Solutions in Brisbane, Townsville

Ensuring data security and compliance is a strategic imperative for modern businesses. At ADITS, we understand the complexities and challenges involved in maintaining them. Our team of experts is committed to helping organisations in Brisbane, Townsville, and across Queensland leverage the full potential of Microsoft 365 to safeguard sensitive information and ensure regulatory compliance. Whether you’re looking to optimise your existing Microsoft 365 setup or planning a new implementation, ADITS provides tailored solutions designed to meet your unique needs.

Contact us today to learn more about the cyber security services and compliance benefits in Microsoft 365 for your Queensland business:

TRANSFORM WITH MICROSOFT 365

7 Ways to Work Smarter (Not Harder) with Microsoft Copilot

Can you imagine making 100 copies of a 100-page document entirely by hand, with just pen and paper?

That’s what we would be doing if not for digital duplicators, photocopiers, and scan-to-print devices. Those machines have made document reproduction much faster and easier, as inventions and tools do.

One recently popular tool is AI. We have seen the likes of ChatGPT and DALL-E, and more yet are coming. In business, Microsoft Copilot is emerging as a highly useful digital assistant. How exactly can Copilot help you work smarter? Look at these specific ways.

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1. Proposal Generation in a Legal Services Firm

Let’s say you are a lawyer in an estate law firm, and you need to prepare a consulting proposal for a client. You can use Microsoft 365 Copilot in Word to draft the proposal. Just provide information such as the client’s name, the purpose of the proposal, the services you are offering, its benefits, and a call to action.

After Copilot generates the document, you can review and make changes. You may also ask Copilot to check your grammar, spelling, and punctuation and offer suggestions to improve your writing.

You could even have Copilot help you to format the document according to the best practices in your industry. Use it to suggest and apply styles, headings, bullet points, tables, charts, and images to your proposal.

Before submission, use Copilot to share your proposal with your colleagues and get feedback and suggestions. It can help you to track changes, comments, and revisions and keep your document up to date.

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2. Data Analysis & Visualisation for Nonprofit Resource Allocation

If your non-profit needs to decide about resource allocation in, say, promoting disability rights, you can use Copilot to gather and process data for your basis.

Also use Copilot to help you:

  • Collect data from a variety of sources that you specify
  • Check the data for errors and inconsistencies
  • Use a tool like Excel to analyse your data and identify patterns
  • Generate charts/data visualisations for clearer presentation
  • Check the data for errors and inconsistencies
  • Create a report and a presentation to communicate the results

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3. Patient Report Writing for a Healthcare Provider

Periodic patient reports are a regular task for healthcare professionals. A medical specialist can use Microsoft Copilot to automate report generation, summarising a patient’s medical history, current medications, treatment plans, and patient progress updates.

The report writer can ask Copilot for help in:

  • Collecting data from electronic health records (EHRs), billing systems, and databases
  • Instructing Copilot how to create the report, using a JavaScript or Python script
  • Actual report generation
  • Filing the reports and sharing with relevant personnel

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4. Chatbots for a Financial Services Business

If your organisation offers financial services, chances are you will often receive queries and customer support requests. You can use Copilot for:

  • Training chatbots to answer common customer questions and about your offerings
  • Providing real-time support to your customer support staff, including finding relevant and accurate information, drafting standard responses, and resolving issues speedily
  • Generating reports and analytics about customer interactions, to identify and address areas for improvement in customer support

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5. Legal Document Templates Generation

Lawyers, legal secretaries, and paralegals can get smart with Microsoft Copilot when creating templates for non-disclosure agreements, wills, trusts, and other documents. Just identify the templates that you need, then provide Copilot with relevant data such as your business name, address, and contact information.

You may use a Copilot script to specify how to generate the legal document templates. You could then run the script, review the templates, proofread and improve them. Copilot can also assist in formatting your document templates and, if needed, convert documents from Word into PDF or HTML which could be easier to share and use.

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6. Marketing Campaign Automation for Non-Profit Fundraising Program

If you work in a non-profit organisation aiming for increased donor engagement, improved efficiency, and better fundraising campaign insights, Copilot can assist you in several ways:

Generating Personalised Email Campaigns

Marketing staff can tap Copilot to generate personalised email campaigns for donors and potential donors. This can help increase open rates and click-through rates.

Creating Social Media Posts

Copilot can be used to create social media posts tailored to the interests of target supporters. This can increase engagement on social media and even drive more traffic to your website.

Segmenting Donor Lists

Fundraising staff can use Copilot to segment donor lists based on factors like donation history, interests, and demographics. This can help you to target donor audiences more effectively.

Tracking Campaign Results

Copilot can help executive staff track the results of campaigns, including email open rates, click-through rates, and social media engagement. These can help you improve on future campaigns.

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7.Financial Modelling & Analysis (FMA) in Education & Training

If a private training institution is proposing a new set of courses, they can do an FMA to make decisions – about launching the courses, for resource allocation, and to find out the financial impact on the organisation. In particular:

  • Copilot can be used to analyse data (e.g., government reports, industry surveys, and social media) to identify the potential market for new courses. For example, Copilot can help identify fast-growing industries and develop new courses that will train students for jobs in those industries.
  • Copilot can help to estimate the costs of new courses, including course materials development, hiring instructors, and marketing the courses. Copilot can also be used to estimate the potential revenues and recommend the tuition fee rates.
  • Copilot can be used to evaluate the financial impact of new courses on the overall business. For instance, Copilot can help estimate the increase in revenue, the increase in course costs, and the impact on the overall profit margin.
  • Copilot can help in creating reports and presentations that communicate the financial benefits of new courses to stakeholders. For one, Copilot could be used to show how new courses can increase revenue and achieve strategic goals.

Microsoft 365 Copilot: Your Smart AI Assistant

Can you imagine how efficient and productive your organisation can become with Microsoft Copilot compared to without it?

The tool will be available from the 1st November 2023 to Microsoft 365 customers on a Business Enterprise agreement for an extra $30 USD per user per month. For related information, you may reach out to ADITS right now. For other practical technology guides, you may check out our free business IT resources. Whether you’re in Brisbane, Townsville, or beyond, we’re here to help you navigate your IT needs with confidence.

Microsoft AU Price Increase: What You Need to Know

Back in 2022, Microsoft announced it would start aligning global prices with U.S. dollar rates. For Australian businesses, that meant a Microsoft price increase of around 9% on licences like Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Enterprise by September 2023. 

Now in 2025, pricing updates are still rolling out. And they’re reshaping how organisations of all sizes budget for software and manage their IT spend.

If you’re using Microsoft 365 or other cloud services, these changes affect more than just the line items on your invoice. They impact long-term cost planning, subscription choices, and even the way businesses think about licensing strategies. 

Understanding what’s driving the increase, who it affects, and how to respond will help you stay ahead of rising costs. So keep reading and let’s break it all down. 

What’s new in 2025?

In April 2025, Microsoft updated how it bills annual subscriptions. If your business is on an annual plan with monthly payments, your next renewal will automatically include a 5% price increase. This means spreading payments over the year now comes at a slightly higher cost.

Paying the full annual fee upfront avoids the extra 5%, giving you a lower overall rate for the same subscription. For businesses that can budget ahead, this is a simple way to save money, lock in predictable costs, and simplify billing.

For IT managers and finance teams, this update affects more than just invoices. It influences renewal strategies, cash flow planning and long-term licensing costs. So weighing upfront payment against monthly installments can make a real difference to your bottom line.

Currency Cloud Change % On-Premises Change %
Australian Dollar +9% +9%
New Zealand Dollar +7% None
Canadian Dollar +6% +6%
Swiss Franc -9% None

Note: Like the Swiss Franc, some prices can decrease depending on currency fluctuations, local market conditions, and inflation.

Who feels the Microsoft price increase the most?

The Microsoft price increase impacts certain subscriptions more than others. Monthly-billed annual plans see the most noticeable increase. While businesses paying upfront for the full year maintain their current rates for the term.

Add-ons are also taking a bigger slice of the budget. Power BI licences, for example, have surged by up to 40%, and Teams Phone has climbed around 25%

For organisations relying on these tools, costs can rise quickly. This makes it crucial to review your subscriptions, consider consolidating where possible, and plan renewals carefully.

Billing update summary

Here’s a quick look at how the April 2025 billing changes affect different plans:

Billing type Impact of April 2025 update
Annual billing, paid monthly +5% price rise at renewal
Annual billing, paid upfront Price stays the same for the term
Add-ons (Power BI, Teams Phone) Significant increases (25–40%)

What does this mean for you?

Rising subscription costs aren’t just numbers on a bill. They affect how your business budgets, plans and manages IT resources. If your licences renew soon, now’s the time to take stock.

Consider whether monthly billing still makes sense. Switching to upfront annual payments locks in existing rates and removes the 5% surcharge, giving your finance team greater predictability.

It’s also a good moment to assess which add-ons are actually necessary. With services like Power BI and Teams Phone climbing significantly in price, trimming unused or underused licences can free up your budget without impacting productivity.

Finally, these changes highlight the value of planning ahead. By reviewing subscription needs, timing renewals strategically, and consolidating where possible, your business can keep costs under control, even as Microsoft pricing continues to evolve.

Which programs are impacted?

Not all subscriptions are affected in the same way. The 2025 price updates apply to a range of commercial licensing programs. These include:

  • Enterprise Agreement (EA) – Commercial, Government, and Education Solutions
  • Microsoft Customer Agreement for Enterprise (MCA-E) – seat-based offers only
  • Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) with MCA – seat-based offers only (Commercial, Government, and Education Solutions)
  • Legacy CSP Open Value – Commercial, Government, and Education Solutions
  • Open Value Subscription – Commercial, Government, and Education Solutions
  • Microsoft Products and Services Agreement (MPSA) – Commercial, Government, and Academic
  • Microsoft Online Services Portal (MOSP)
  • MCA Online
  • Select Plus

Not sure if your licences are affected? Your ADITS Account Manager can check for you and explain what the changes mean.

The Microsoft licences and services that remain unchanged

Not everything sees a price hike. Here’s a look at the licences and services that remain unaffected:

  • Azure via Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA): Azure pricing is set in U.S. dollars, but billed in your local currency, with rates recalculated monthly. This means licences aren’t affected by the price increase.
  • Existing commercial agreements with price protection: If your business already has orders under agreements with price protection or locked enrollment prices, those products won’t increase in price. Keep in mind, however, that new products, upgrades, renewals or contracts will follow the updated rates. 
  • Hardware and consumer software/services: Devices, consumer software and consumer cloud subscriptions are not affected by the Microsoft price changes.

Take control of your Microsoft licensing costs

Rising subscription prices and billing changes don’t have to catch your business off guard. With ADITS, you get a partner who helps you review your licences, identify unnecessary add-ons, and choose the payment options that save money and simplify budgeting.

If you want clarity, predictability and smarter Microsoft 365 management, reach out to our friendly team today! We’re here to help you plan, protect your budget, and make informed licensing decisions for your business.