Manama: Microsoft introduced Bahrain’s fast-growing SME segment to Microsoft 365 Business, a multifaceted solution that ushers them into the modern workplace era by covering all of their productivity, admin and security needs.
Combining Windows 10 Pro and Office 365 with Enterprise Mobility and Security, Microsoft 365 Business is a new solution designed for SMEs bringing together the productivity and collaboration capabilities with device management and security solutions to safeguard business data.
According to a 2017 international entrepreneurship analysis, the Global Entrepreneurship Development Institute (GEDI) ranked Bahrain 34th out of 137 countries and fifth in the MENA region. It is estimated that around 90% of businesses in Bahrain are SMEs, and their contribution accounts for about 30% of the kingdom’s GDP. Recently, the World Bank listed Bahrain among the world’s top 10 most improved economies for adopting reforms that make it easier to start and operate small and medium-sized Enterprises (SMES).
“As Bahrain continues taking its ambitious journey towards economic diversification, its small and medium enterprise sector will continue to play a leading role in that story,” said Mohammed Arif, Regional Director, Microsoft 365 Business Group, Microsoft Gulf. SMEs in this country have a prime opportunity to capitalise on projected growth, through the digitally transformative power of Microsoft 365 Business. The solution is purpose-built for growing small and medium businesses to help them to empower their people, safeguard their data and simplify IT management, leaving them with more time and resources to innovate and focus on their core business.”
Microsoft 365 Business is an integrated security, management and productivity solution that allows businesses to protect mission-critical operations while empowering employees to be mobile and collaborative. Smooth interaction between Office 365, Windows 10 Pro, and Microsoft’s device-management and security tools, creates a truly modern workplace, means employees can work whenever, wherever and however they want. And communication and connectivity tools allow meaningful collaboration in real time.
Also added to the offerings is the Microsoft StaffHub, a new application that helps first-line workers manage their work day, allowing business owners and employees to easily create and manage schedules, assign and complete tasks, and communicate with one another.
As businesses across the world become increasingly modernised, become more vulnerable to data breaches. A recent global survey reveals 43% of cyber-attacks target small businesses, while only 14% of small businesses rate their ability to mitigate cyber-risks, vulnerabilities and attacks as “highly effective”. The report further reveals that 60% of small companies go out of business within six months of a cyber-attack.
Through Microsoft 365 Business, SMEs benefit from best-of-breed malware protection for all their Windows devices, with Windows Defender. App Protection for Office and Mobile Device Management for Windows, protects sensitive data from attacks on employees’ Windows, iOS and Android devices.
“Small businesses are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of security breaches,” said Arif. “They cannot bounce back from downtime or data theft the way a Fortune-500 company can. That is why Microsoft took care to include some of our most advanced, industry-leading security features in Microsoft 365 Business – so SMEs can concentrate on growth without worrying about the treacherous cyber-threat landscape.”
In addition to security and productivity, Microsoft 365 Business also offers SMEs many time-saving benefits for IT admin tasks. Through a single console, businesses can quickly set up new employees, configure device security policies, and manage user identity and access, as well as ensure all staff are most up-to-date with versions of Windows 10 and Office. And the single per-user, per-month subscription streamlines costs and simplifies management.
“Microsoft 365 Business was built for our small and midsize customers that may have limited or no IT resources on staff, but still want best-in-class security, productivity and collaboration capabilities,” said Arif. “Microsoft 365 Business works efficiently, always ensuring that systems are secure and up to date, without the need for constant monitoring.”
