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Google Workspace vs. Microsoft 365: Which Productivity Suite Fits Your Future?

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Every few years, we see a shift in how businesses view their productivity suite. Small and midsize businesses that have been running on Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace for years take a pause and reconsider if it is still the right fit.

Many re-evaluate, some take action and switch, and a surprising number are caught somewhere in the middle.

Are businesses rethinking their Google and Microsoft services?

The short answer: Yes.

We surveyed prospective and existing clients, finding that nearly 40% of respondents are currently “double-dipping” and using services from both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365.

  • The Hybrid Habit: The most common mix is using MS Office desktop applications while relying on Google Workspace for email, calendaring, and file sharing. A limited number of respondents use MS Outlook for email while relying on Google Docs, Drive, and Shared Drive for documents and sharing.
  • The Shadow IT Risk: A significant number of users in Microsoft-centric environments still use personal Google accounts to create and share Docs, Slides, and Sheets, creating a massive security gap.

Given these patterns, business leaders understand that rethinking their Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 can unify their information, improve security, and lower costs.

Currently, nearly one-third of our cloud migrations are between these two platforms, with traffic flowing in both directions.

Why Are Businesses Rethinking their Productivity Suite?

Most organizations now have enough history with cloud services to identify the gaps in their current workflow. However, with the rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence, your platform choice has become a pivotal long-term investment. Assessing how Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 fits your future priorities is a necessary step in maintaining a competitive edge.

What are the major differences between Google Workspace and Microsoft 365?

Microsoft and Google bring different philosophies to their application suites. 

Should you choose Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, or a mix?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Choosing between a “cloud-first” or “hybrid-first” model is only the starting point. Other major factors, including technical integration and your plans for AI, will also come into play.

We will explore those critical topics in our upcoming posts. Stay tuned.Connect with a Cloud Advisor

Help is Here

Our Productivity Suite Assessment can help you understand which suite is best for your business and how to fully utilize its capabilities. Use code PST2604 before May 31, 2026, and we will waive the fee.

You can also reach out to our Cloud Advisors. Book a no-obligation intro call and to discuss your needs, priorities, strategy, and plans. Send us an email or book a brief introductory call. We are here to help.

About the Author

Bill Seybolt bio pictureBill is a Senior Cloud Advisor responsible for helping small and midsize organizations with productive, security, and secure managed cloud services. Bill works with executives, leaders, and team members to understand workflows, identify strategic goals and tactical requirements, and design solutions and implementation phases. Having helped hundreds of organizations successfully adopt cloud solutions, his expertise and working style ensure a comfortable experience and effective change management.

Productivity Suite Assessment Helps Small Businesses Choose or Improve their Cloud

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May 25, 2021 – Westborough, MA – Cumulus Global is pleased to announce the launch of its new Productivity Suite Assessment, a consulting service that helps small and midsize businesses (SMBs) determine which productivity suite best meets their needs and how to fully utilize the suite to improve productivity and support business goals. Whether considering, or currently using Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, the productivity suite is the foundation for IT services. The right match is about more than the marketing hype and basic features. The right match integrates with how you work and other systems to support business goals, needs, priorities, and budget.

“For businesses not yet in the cloud, we guide them to the best fit and solution,” stated Allen Falcon, CEO of Cumulus Global. “For those only using some of the Microsoft and Google suite services, we help them fully adopt, utilize, and leverage capabilities.”

The Productivity Suite Assessment gives businesses:

  • A comprehensive review of current technology platforms and how well they are serving the business
  • Expert analysis of challenges, gaps, and opportunities to improve productivity and efficiencies
  • Recommendations: “what” technologies are a best fit and “how” to leverage them for greatest impact and value
  • Savings on implementation of recommendations.

“We help businesses decide if Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace best aligns with their operations and technologies. More impactfully, we identify under-utilized capabilities and guide adoption,” noted Falcon. “Using these recommendations, businesses improve processes, empower employees and teams, reduce costs, and enable growth.”

The Productivity Suite Assessment follows Cumulus Global’s best-practice methods.  The three phase project includes: detailed discovery, thorough analysis; and recommendations with guidance on implementation and adoption.  Cumulus Global partners with both Microsoft and Google, providing objective analysis and recommendations. Founded in 2006, Cumulus Global has 15 years experience delivery cloud solutions to small and midsize businesses.

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Pick, Mix, or Match: Google Workspace and Microsoft 365

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(04/12/26) – Your needs, and how your business runs, changes over time. Your Productivity Suite should meet your needs and priorities for productivity, security, and affordability. Now may be the time to assess whether to use Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, or a mix of both.

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