To be productive and successful in today’s modern computing world, where instant sharing and immediate feedback are the new standards, organizations and teams need to respond to new information with agility and speed. The way we work today is more iterative and collaborative than ever before. This reality is driving the need for small- and medium-size businesses to figure out ways to improve workplace productivity.

Small businesses must also deal with the omnipresence of mobile devices — owned by the company or the employee — in the workplace. And just because your employees are at work doesn’t mean that they don’t use their mobile devices for personal purposes. If you have a habit of checking Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram at least 14 times a day, you know what I mean.

Against this backdrop, small businesses must also contend with today’s threat landscape. With a limited budget and a highly competitive job market for security professionals, it’s not unusual for some business owners to find it easier to just bury their heads in the sand and hope they don’t get hacked. I think we can agree that this is not a good idea.

For a market that accounts for 66 percent of net new jobs in the United States and powers the economy with their labor force and capital expenditures, small businesses are long overdue for an enterprise-class solution that doesn’t break the bank.

If you’re running a small business or managing the IT infrastructure for a small business, your wait is over. Microsoft 365 Business is here. It’s the coming together of three key cloud services from Microsoft: Office 365, Enterprise Mobility + Security, and Windows 10 Business. It’s not your parent’s solution, either. It has artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced features that used to be out of reach for small business. And the best part about Microsoft 365 Business? Even dummies can use it.

About This Book

The intent of Microsoft 365 For Admins For Dummies is to provide SMBs an understanding of the capabilities of Microsoft 365 Business: an integrated solution with built-in security and collaboration features to enable today’s modern workplace.

For business owners, this book will provide peace of mind knowing that their workforce can manage their work productively and securely across devices. For IT teams, this book is a timely source of information about the features and functionalities as well as guidance on implementing the solution. For end users, this book serves as a guide for making the most out of the company’s investment in the technology.

Microsoft 365 For Admins For Dummies serves as a rich resource for all the components included in Microsoft 365 Business and the purpose they serve. I call out the dependencies across the components to ensure that the reader is aware of issues that may arise when implementing or using the solution.

I include insights and real-life scenarios based on my experiences as a consultant and solution architect with over 10 years’ experience in the industry. It is written in the Dummies format, which breaks down a highly technical subject matter into easily understood concepts.

If you’re planning to implement Microsoft 365 Business or to upgrade to Microsoft 365 Business, you’ve picked up the right book to help demystify the complexities of the bundled solution and set you up for a successful deployment of the solution.

Foolish Assumptions

This book is written for the benefit of the novice or intermediate IT admin who wants to implement and manage a cloud solution for a small business organization. I assume some basic knowledge of the tasks and responsibilities of an IT team. In addition, a senior-level IT professional might glean some nuggets on the end user experience as well as insights into driving technology adoption.

Icons Used in This Book

The familiar For Dummies icons are used in this book to spotlight notable topics through visual cues. The following icons are used in this book.

The Tip icon is your cue for shortcuts or guidance to doing things more quickly or easily.

The Remember icon marks information that’s especially important to know and provides insights into the nuances of Microsoft 365 Business, an evolving cloud solution.

The Technical Stuff icon marks information of a highly technical nature that you will inevitably encounter as an IT admin. I have, however, used layman’s language as much as possible.

The Warning icon tells you to watch out! It marks important information that may save you from the pitfalls of implementing a new cloud technology..

Beyond the Book

As a software-as-a-service offering, Microsoft 365 Business is updated and improved on a regular basis. Here are some links to stay up to speed on the goings-on of Microsoft 365 Business:

• Cheat Sheet: Visit www.dummies.com/cheatsheet/microsoft365business for a cheat sheet to help you take advantage of the features and functionalities of Microsoft Business 365.
• Author’s Amazon Page: Read about the latest features of the service from my Amazon.com author’s page at www.amazon.com/author/jennreed.

Where to Go from Here

Novice IT admins will find it helpful to read the pages of this book in order because some instructions in later chapters point back to configuration instructions in earlier chapters. But if you want to jump right into a chapter that interests you most, go right ahead! I’ve pointed out the location for prerequisite information where needed to provide you with additional context.