Digital done right with Microsoft 365

The hybrid work balancing act

Hybrid working isn’t just a buzzword, it’s now a fundamental part of modern business. Employees are benefiting from the flexibility, the extra hours reclaimed from commuting, and the improved work-life balance. And, in many cases, they’re even more productive. But for IT teams, this reality presents constant challenges.

More devices, more security risks, more complexity, less patient employees with higher expectations, more locations – more everything! Employees demand seamless access to their work, from anywhere, on any device. But IT teams must balance productivity with security, ensuring everything runs smoothly without becoming a roadblock. Plus, employees are more tech-savvy than they’ve ever been before, and as a result, they’re less patient. With Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT), the average employee has 10 internet connected devices in their home. They want their work to be as seamless as possible, they don’t have the tolerance for security measures and will do their level-best to find ways around it.  

On top of that, businesses are investing heavily in digital collaboration tools like Microsoft 365. While these solutions unlock great potential, they also demand careful management to avoid becoming a source of frustration, or exponential cost.  

IT leaders now need to focus on eliminating friction, enabling effortless collaboration, and securing the workplace. all while ensuring employees stay engaged and productive. But how do you achieve this while navigating the complexity of Microsoft 365 setup, deployment, and integration?

Meeting the growing demand for digital transformation

Businesses are adopting digital tools to stay competitive, streamline operations, and become more agile. But while companies focus on improving business outcomes, employees have their own expectations – they want workplace tech that’s as simple and seamless as their personal devices, and reliable.  

Employees expect flexibility. Businesses require security, compliance, and governance. The challenge for IT? Balancing both needs while ensuring the workplace remains productive, efficient, and secure. The modern workplace needs to be built around flexibility, security, and a seamless user experience, without compromising on control.

Empowering a smart, secure workplace

Workplaces should foster a culture where data and insights drive smarter decision-making, helping employees work better, not harder.

But flexibility comes with risks. Cyber threats are more advanced than ever, and hybrid workplaces are prime targets. The consequences of a security breach? Data leaks, reputational damage, and costly downtime. Not to mention potential ransomware costs too. Endpoint devices, especially in bring-your-own-device (BYOD) setups, can be easy targets for attackers. Without a strong security strategy, businesses risk serious exposure.

To maintain a secure and productive digital workplace, IT teams must:

• Implement strong endpoint management to protect devices anywhere
• Ensure seamless access to apps and data without weakening security
• Enforce policies across a distributed workforce without disrupting work

Microsoft 365 is a game-changer for hybrid working but only if it’s managed effectively. 

Unlocking the full potential of Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 isn’t just about Word, Excel, and Outlook. It’s a powerhouse for collaboration, communication, and productivity, keeping teams connected wherever they are. With tools like Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive, employees can share files instantly, brainstorm in real time, and stay aligned no matter where they work. In addition, there are new tools like Copilot that enhance all these services, streamlining and enhancing workplace productivity even further.  

But here’s the thing, just having Microsoft 365 isn’t enough. The real challenge is making sure it’s set up properly, securely managed, and fully optimised for your business needs. 

IT teams need to:

• Configure and maintain Microsoft 365 services to fit their organisation
• Strengthen security settings to safeguard against cyber threats
• Continuously monitor and fine-tune performance to remove inefficiencies
• Optimise and manage costs as the business changes

Without a smart, strategic approach, businesses risk underusing Microsoft 365, leaving security gaps, and missing out on its full potential.

The IT leader’s role in driving transformation

IT is no longer just about fixing tech problems; it’s about enabling business transformation. Bridging the gap between technology and business goals, ensuring digital tools fuel productivity, efficiency, and security. 

To do this, IT teams must:

• Simplify IT management to make resources work smarter
• Shift from reactive tech support to proactive business enablers
• Optimise digital workplace tools so employees can focus on what matters

Managing Microsoft 365 in-house can be time-consuming and complex. That’s why many businesses turn to MSPs to handle the heavy lifting, freeing up IT teams to focus on higher-value projects.

Managing Microsoft 365 properly is complex. It requires a deep knowledge of the platform, automations, implementation skills, and an understanding of the environment and users it’s going to land with. This is where Claranet comes in.

How Claranet helps you take Microsoft 365 to the next level  

Claranet’s Microsoft 365 Managed Services take the hassle out of managing Microsoft 365. With expert support, proactive security, and continuous optimisation, you can focus on your people and productivity—not the IT admin. 

Microsoft Managed Services help:

• Manage Microsoft 365 administration and tenant setup effortlessly
• Implement proactive security monitoring and ensure compliance
• Optimise collaboration tools for a better employee experience
• Lighten IT workloads so teams can drive digital transformation

With Claranet, IT teams no longer have to firefight Microsoft 365 issues or wrestle with complex setups. Instead, they can focus on business growth, adoption strategies, and enhancing employee experiences.

Transforming the employee experience

Whether your priority is boosting collaboration, securing a hybrid workforce, or helping employees achieve a better work-life balance, Microsoft 365 is a key enabler. But real success isn’t just about the technology, it’s about expert management, strategic planning, and continuous improvement.

With the right support, businesses can:

• Improve employee engagement and digital confidence
• Strengthen teamwork across locations and time zones
• Maintain top-tier security without sacrificing user experience

And the impact is real. Take Galp, for example: they grew from 193 to over 4,000 active Microsoft 365 users in just three years—transforming hybrid collaboration, strengthening security, and accelerating innovation.

Ready to power up your digital workplace?

Hybrid work and digital transformation isn’t just about technology—it’s about people, productivity, and performance. With the right Microsoft 365 strategy and expert support, businesses can create a workplace that’s modern, secure, and built for success.

Let’s talk about how Claranet can help you unlock the full potential of Microsoft 365 and take your digital workplace to the next level.