Maximizing M365: The Power of Partner Solutions

In the world of enterprise software, Microsoft 365 (M365) stands out as a powerhouse. However, its true potential is unlocked when combined with solutions from Microsoft's robust partner ecosystem. Let's explore how these partnerships can extend the usefulness of M365 and deliver comprehensive solutions to meet complex business needs. 

The Email Management Imperative 

 One crucial area where partner solutions add significant value is email management. Consider this: five out of six records entering an organization come via email. That's a staggering amount of potentially critical information flowing through your inbox daily. 

While M365 offers in-place records management in Outlook, many organizations prefer to use SharePoint as their system of record. This preference stems from SharePoint's superior management capabilities for records. Partner solutions can bridge this gap, helping organizations seamlessly move important emails and attachments from Outlook to SharePoint, ensuring proper tagging, labeling, and security. 

It's worth noting that not all emails are records - typically only 5-10% qualify. However, when an email is a record, it's crucial to have a system in place to identify it, manage it appropriately, and ensure its security. This is where a proper email management program, often provided by partner solutions, becomes invaluable. 

Enhancing Governance and Compliance 

Microsoft provides robust out-of-the-box offerings for governance, including tools for provisioning Teams channels and SharePoint sites. However, partner solutions can take this functionality even further. 

We have excellent partners who build advanced provisioning options for site creation, Teams management, and user administration. These solutions add high value to the Microsoft platform, allowing for more granular control and customization of your M365 environment. 

Additionally, some partners specialize in records management software that integrates seamlessly with SharePoint. These solutions can extend or complement Microsoft Purview, offering enhanced capabilities for managing your organization's records and ensuring compliance. 

The Value of a Diverse Ecosystem 

The strength of M365 lies not just in its core functionality, but in the vibrant ecosystem of partners that surround it. This diversity is a key factor in Microsoft's dominant market share in the enterprise space. 

There's a telling metric in the industry: for every dollar spent on a Microsoft 365 license, a multiple of that is created in the ecosystem. This multiplier effect comes from the network of solution implementers, consultants, and independent software vendors (ISVs) that build upon the M365 platform. 

Solving Complex Problems 

At the end of the day, customers aren't necessarily concerned with the specific tools they're using. They're focused on solving their business challenges. These challenges often require a combination of solutions - core M365 functionality, partner software solutions, and expert implementation services. 

For example, if a customer needs help with better information governance, they might need solutions from multiple software vendors on top of Microsoft, as well as a skilled implementation or consulting partner. It's in these scenarios - where multiple parties come together to solve a complex problem - that we see the greatest success stories. 

Conclusion 

The M365 platform provides a solid foundation for enterprise productivity and collaboration. However, its true power is realized when combined with the innovative solutions provided by Microsoft's partner ecosystem. By leveraging these partnerships, organizations can extend the usefulness of M365, creating tailored solutions that precisely meet their unique needs and challenges. 

As you consider how to maximize your M365 investment, don't overlook the potential of partner solutions. They could be the key to unlocking new levels of productivity, compliance, and innovation in your organization. 

This blog post is based on an original AIIM OnAir podcast. When recording podcasts, AIIM uses AI-enabled transcription in Zoom. We then use that transcription as part of a prompt with Claude Pro, Anthropic’s AI assistant. AIIM staff (aka humans) then edit the output from Claude for accuracy, completeness, and tone. In this way, we use AI to increase the accessibility of our podcast and extend the value of great content.