Last month I got to put my money where my mouth is and I tested Microsoft Office online. I was out of state at a business conference for a week.
I am fortunate with my business model and was able to do all my planned work before I left on my trip and I told all my clients I would be out of town so all emergencies were their responsibility (oddly enough there were none). I never checked my email the entire week.
I could have gone the week without a computer if I chose, but I was staying an extra day for ease of travel and wanted to spend the last part of that day entering the contact information of the business cards I had acquired on an excel spreadsheet. The laptop I borrowed for the trip did not have excel on it.
I keep my files “in the cloud”; however all of my programs live on my desktop. I actually have an all-in-one computer so if I travel via automobile I take it with me. I took an airplane and my all in one is too large to come with me so it stayed home.
You can subscribe to the online only version of Microsoft Office for $60 per year or $6 per month. I was testing so I bought one month.
I am one of the reasons software developers have switched to monthly subscriber plans instead of occasional updated releases. I still use Office 2007. I am sure there have been at least three versions since then but I am happy with what I have so I have not even considered upgrading.
Microsoft Office online has the most recent version of excel and there were several tasks that did not work the same way as my version and a couple of buttons I could not find. I did not have the desire to waste time searching for what I wanted so I had to fix all the formatting issues when I got home so I really did not come out ahead.
I cancelled my subscription when I got home because I do not have any current travel plans and I do not feel like learning a new version at this time. As I book appearances next year and start to travel more, I will reconsider Microsoft Office online.
Just because an online system is not a fit for me now does not mean it will never be the best option. Please keep that in mind as you test ways to move your back office online.
I have more reasons to consider the cloud coming in future posts.
Until next time…
Have a great day,
Susanne
Get on-call access to an expert for answers to your most pressing marketing concerns! Check out my Answer to Your Marketing Questions coaching program!