Unlocking Business Productivity with Microsoft 365: Insights from Forrester’s Total Economic Impact™ Study
In today’s fast-paced business environment, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are constantly seeking ways to enhance their operations and maintain a competitive edge. One powerful solution that has emerged is Microsoft 365 for Business, a comprehensive suite of productivity tools designed to improve collaboration, security, and overall productivity. Recently, Forrester Consulting conducted a Total Economic Impact™ (TEI) study to examine the potential return on investment (ROI) SMBs may realize by deploying Microsoft 365 for Business. The findings are compelling and highlight the significant benefits that this cloud-based suite can offer.
Enhanced Collaboration and Communication
One of the standout benefits of Microsoft 365 for Business is its ability to facilitate advanced collaboration and communication among users. The suite integrates Office applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint with cloud storage solutions such as OneDrive and SharePoint, and collaboration tools like Teams and Loop. This seamless integration allows users to select different productivity tools based on their needs and work styles, leading to improved internal and external communications1.
For example, the study found that each business user can save 1.5 hours per week through enhanced collaboration and cloud file storage capabilities. Over three years, these savings amount to over $519,000 for the composite organization1. This time savings translates into increased efficiency and productivity, enabling employees to focus on higher-value tasks.
Improved IT Specialist Productivity
Microsoft 365 for Business also offers significant benefits for IT specialists. The integrated cloud solution suite allows IT specialists to save time on device management with Intune, resulting in fewer help desk tickets and fewer hours spent on system updates and patching. The study found that IT specialists can save 686 hours per year, totaling $97,000 in savings over three years1.
Additionally, the ability to remotely wipe data from lost devices and schedule updates during nonworking hours further enhances IT efficiency and reduces business disruptions. This streamlined approach to IT management not only saves time but also ensures that the organization’s technology infrastructure remains secure and up-to-date.
Cost Savings on Retired Legacy Solutions
By transitioning to Microsoft 365 for Business, organizations can retire costly legacy solutions and systems, leading to substantial cost savings. The study found that the composite organization can save $297,000 over three years by retiring its legacy conference call solution, antivirus solution, on-premises email Exchange server, and file transfer protocol (FTP) server1. These savings are achieved through the consolidation of systems and the reduction of expenditure on managed service providers (MSPs).
Unquantified Benefits
Beyond the quantified benefits, Microsoft 365 for Business offers additional advantages that provide value to organizations. For instance, automated workflows built with Power Automate can significantly reduce the time spent on administrative tasks, while Power BI’s interactive visualizations and business intelligence capabilities support better decision-making processes1. These tools enable organizations to streamline processes and make informed decisions, further enhancing productivity and efficiency.
The Forrester TEI study commissioned by Microsoft demonstrates that Microsoft 365 for Business is a powerful tool for enhancing business productivity. With a three-year ROI of 223% and a net present value (NPV) of $631,0001, the benefits of deploying Microsoft 365 for Business are clear. From improved collaboration and communication to enhanced IT specialist productivity and cost savings on retired legacy solutions, Microsoft 365 for Business offers a comprehensive suite of tools that can drive significant value for SMBs.
As businesses continue to navigate the challenges of the modern workplace, investing in solutions like Microsoft 365 for Business can provide the competitive edge needed to thrive. By leveraging the power of cloud-based productivity tools, organizations can unlock new levels of efficiency, security, and collaboration, ultimately leading to greater success and growth.
