Are you still using Office licenses purchased only once 5 years ago? You're not alone. But by 2026, SMEs in Trois-Rivières that haven't yet migrated to Microsoft 365 are falling behind — in security, collaboration, and efficiency.

Here's why Microsoft 365 has become the essential tool for businesses in the Mauricie region, and how to get the most out of it.

1. Work from anywhere, without compromising productivity

Remote work, satellite offices, client visits — your employees need access to their files and tools no matter where they are. Microsoft 365 makes this possible without complicated setup.

• Word, Excel, PowerPoint accessible from any device
• OneDrive automatically syncs all your files to the cloud
• Outlook web allows you to manage emails from a browser
• Teams brings your teams together for video calls, chat, and screen sharing with a single click

Solution: OKTO Solutions configures Microsoft 365 for your entire team in Trois-Rivières, including the migration of your existing data.

2. Built-in security that protects your business 24/7

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are targeted by increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. Microsoft 365 Business Premium includes layers of protection that most businesses couldn't afford separately.

• Microsoft Defender for Business — enterprise-grade antivirus on all your devices
• Protection against phishing emails and malicious attachments
• Conditional access with Microsoft Entra ID — only approved devices access data
• Automatic alerts in case of suspicious connection or unauthorized access

Solution: we activate and configure all these protections so that your SME is shielded from day one.

3. Real-time collaboration — no more lost file versions

How many times have you received an email with "Document_v3_FINAL_corrected2.docx" attached? With Microsoft 365, multiple people can work on the same file simultaneously without confusion.

• Simultaneous co-editing in Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Complete version history — revert to any previous version
• SharePoint as a shared intranet for your internal policies, procedures, and documents
• Teams Channels to organize projects by team or by client

Solution: OKTO structures your SharePoint and Teams spaces according to the real needs of your business.

4. Your data is backed up automatically — without intervention

OneDrive and Exchange Online back up your files and emails in redundant Microsoft data centers. In the event of a system failure, computer theft, or ransomware attack, your data remains intact.

• 1 TB of OneDrive storage per user included in the license
• Cloud Recycle Bin — Recover deleted files up to 93 days later
• Exchange Online mailboxes with configurable retention
• Additional backup recommended via third-party solution (Veeam, Backupify)

Solution: Our managed IT services in Trois-Rivières include Microsoft 365 backup monitoring with automatic alerts.

5. Easily manage your users with Microsoft Entra ID

When an employee joins or leaves, you need to be able to activate or revoke all their access within minutes. Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) centralizes identity management for your entire organization.

• One account per employee to access all applications
• Automated onboarding and offboarding in just a few clicks
• Single sign-on (SSO) for your third-party tools (Slack, Salesforce, etc.)
• Mandatory MFA on all accounts without individual configuration

Solution: We configure Entra ID so that your IT team — or OKTO — can easily manage access.

6. A predictable monthly cost — no surprises

Say goodbye to large one-time expenses to renew your Office licenses. Microsoft 365 works on a monthly per-user subscription basis, making it easy to budget and adjust as your team grows.

• Microsoft 365 Business Basic — ideal for teams that primarily need cloud tools and Teams
• Microsoft 365 Business Premium — advanced security included, recommended for small and medium-sized businesses
• Add or remove licenses in just a few clicks, according to your needs
• No server to buy, no software maintenance to manage

Solution: OKTO Solutions is a certified Microsoft partner. We'll advise you on the best plan based on your company size and manage your subscription at the best price.

Ready to migrate to Microsoft 365 in Trois-Rivières?

Migrating to Microsoft 365 may seem complex, but with the right IT partner, it can be done without service interruption and without stress for your employees.

OKTO Solutions supports SMEs in Trois-Rivières and Mauricie in their adoption of Microsoft 365: needs analysis, data migration, security configuration, team training and continuous support.

Discover our managed IT services or contact us for a free consultation.