GCP – 5 ways ChromeOS uplevels the experience for Microsoft 365
For businesses to modernize and meet the needs of workers, embracing the web is essential. Forrester’s research confirms this trend, with 78% of IT respondents stating that companies failing to embrace the web will fall behind.1 ChromeOS can be the catalyst for an organization to improve security, IT management, user experience, and reduce IT-related costs through its use of web applications.
Unlike traditional desktop applications available on other operating systems, web applications ensure its data and software are always up to date and easy to manage, while inheriting all of the security benefits of ChromeOS without the need for additional software. These benefits are especially true for Microsoft 365 web applications on Chromebooks — including Excel, Powerpoint and Word.
On ChromeOS, we’ve taken steps to enhance the Microsoft 365 web app experience to deliver a familiar experience without compromising on IT. Customers such as Fedex are using Microsoft 365 web apps throughout their ChromeOS fleet to meet their security standards, leveraging features such as data loss prevention, while keeping users productive.
Here are 5 ways ChromeOS enhances the Microsoft 365 experience for organizations:
1 – Microsoft 365 applications are made available to ChromeOS users with a familiar, desktop-like user experience
Traditionally, Microsoft 365 web applications are only available as a website through the browser. And getting there requires multiple steps just to start editing a file. On Chromebooks, Microsoft 365 web apps can look and behave like desktop applications, as you see in the image above. They are simply opened from the ChromeOS app tray with a click, rather than navigating to the M365 login page and finding the specific application you want to use, saving users time and simplifying access.
2 – ChromeOS devices can be set up to automatically log into Microsoft 365 applications with SSO powered with Microsoft EntraID and other third party providers
With SSO integration, end users can log into their Chromebook with the same credentials they use across all of their corporate services. The user just logs into the Chromebook once, and they are logged into their services, including their Microsoft 365 web applications, without the need to reauthenticate.
3 – Microsoft OneDrive can be integrated with the ChromeOS Files app
Users can access their files stored on Microsoft OneDrive directly from the ChromeOS Files application. With this integration, files can be easily opened by Microsoft 365, attached to emails with a simple drag and drop, and instantly available, ensuring users stay focused on their tasks.
4 – ChromeOS devices can be set up with OneDrive storage only without leaving local data on the device
IT admins can set up the Chromebook to ensure all files on the device are automatically saved to OneDrive, and not the device. With ChromeOS devices, admins can ensure all downloads and screenshots are automatically stored to the OneDrive, and disable local storage.
5 – All of these features are easily configurable for IT admins from the Google Admin console
From the Google Admin console, IT admins have access to policies to pre-configure a business’s Microsoft 365 environment, ensuring Microsoft 365 applications “just work” for end users. Configurations include:
- SSO integration and account restrictions
- OneDrive ChromeOS integrations
- File Type association to Office for the web & automatic upload of files to OneDrive
- Deactivate Basic Editor and Quick Office
- Block local storage, configure automatic file upload of downloads & screenshots to OneDrive
- Pin and pre-install M365 web applications to user’s task bars
Customers such as Fedex are using Microsoft 365 web apps throughout their ChromeOS fleet to meet their security standards while keeping users productive.
If you’d like to learn more about how to implement Microsoft 365 for your organization, check out our Help articles, including how to set up Office file handling for managed users and cloud storage as the sole option for ChromeOS devices.
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