Technology in Architectural Practice

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  • 1.  Microsoft Office 365

    Posted 06-11-2013 05:30 PM

    We are exploring moving to Office 365 rather than updating our current software and exchange.  Part of this upgrade would move our email from local servers to the Microsoft cloud. We are a 45+ person firm with two office locations.   Have any firms considered or made this change?  If so, your experiences would be appreciated.


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    Stephen Clayman AIA
    Lavallee Brensinger Architects
    Manchester NH
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  • 2.  RE:Microsoft Office 365

    Posted 06-12-2013 05:41 PM
    Stephen-

    We switched over to Office 365 about 1 year ago.  There were a few glitches right away, but Microsoft has been staying on top of this and it has been working well.  It is great to have the benefits of Outlook Exchange in a cloud format.  We're still working on implementing the SharePoint as a tool to help manage our office and projects.  For the cost, I would recommend this to others.  Initial set-up and uploading of existing email to the cloud takes some time, but it is well worth it. 

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    Gregory Nagel AIA, NCARB
    Principal Architect
    Nagel Architects
    Elm Grove WI
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  • 3.  RE:Microsoft Office 365

    Posted 06-12-2013 06:48 PM
    Stephen,

    We do not use the Microsoft cloud, but our email is now handled via a corporate account with gmail. This allows us all to get all of our email anywhere, see calendars for the entire office from anywhere, and use SMS and chat in the office and while traveling. We currently have 58 people, but have been between 50 and 70 in the last 5 years. We have aliases for all of our admin functions, as well as info@ and marketing@ accounts that forward to the appropriate people. 

    If the MS email client gets you out of downloading your emails to an internal server, and allows the kind of open access our gmail-based system allows, I'd look seriously at it. We love being free of the tyranny of Outlook and Exchange. Like anything, it took some getting used to and it takes smart management, but I would not go back.

    Hope that helps!

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    Alissa Rupp AIA, LEED AP BD+C
    Principal
    The Portico Group
    Seattle WA
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  • 4.  RE:Microsoft Office 365

    Posted 06-13-2013 11:35 AM
    We have migrated to Office365. It's a bit of a different animal in that is uses the servers are in the Cloud, not your office.  It is also very new and based on our experience Microsoft does not have all the kinks worked out yet. Also while the 2013 interface is visually very nice, it seems less efficient. Performace is noticabley slower, Word, Excel and Outlook. WebOutlook is still as bad as ever.

    Try the demo and really throughly use it. Research the options, which are several. Also make sure you have clear migration strateg of old emails, contacts etc. Switching needs to be well planned and well orchestrated. It took us about two months for the dust to settle, waybeyond what we expected and we are still tidying up loose ends. Even Windows 7 machines may need updates and patches to support it.

    PS check any apps that may use email. Our brand new Ricoh copiers have an issue with interface with the email servers. Again ramificaations of connection to the 'cloud'.

    I'd like to hear others experiences. It's likely the way the world of software is going but our experience has been mixed.


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    Walter Zapor Assoc. AIA
    Senior Associate
    KCBA Architects Inc.
    Hatfield PA
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  • 5.  RE:Microsoft Office 365

    Posted 06-17-2013 10:12 AM
    Stephen-

    We have subscribed to the P1 plan, which is one of the lower tier plans I believe.  We did migrate all our old emails up into the cloud, which is great because we then have everything in one place.  We have not been using OneNote - sounds like something to look into.  Best wishes with your decision on this.

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    Gregory Nagel AIA, NCARB
    Principal Architect
    Nagel Architects
    Elm Grove WI
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