Thanksgiving is almost here and like every year, the holiday serves as the perfect time to reflect on the people and the things we’re grateful to have in our life. Though we often take it for granted, something that everyone can be thankful for is the planet itself, and all the resources it provides. With a new season upon us, it’s the perfect time to remember just how grateful we should be for the environment.

However, in an increasingly crowded and competitive marketplace, the impact of modern business on the environment takes its toll. More and more, business owners are looking for ways to decrease their carbon footprint and take better care of the planet. Luckily, many business owners look to technology to help them ‘go green’ and reduce environmental impact. And as it turns out, going green does not have to negatively impact business budgets.

The Planet Will Thank You: How Businesses are Using Technology to Go Green

Taking care of the environment is critical, but many business owners understandably worry about the costs associated with reducing their carbon footprint. However, tech innovation is making it easier than ever for professionals to make decisions that are smart for business and the environment. Modern technology means that profitability and environmental sustainability need not be mutually exclusive.

Whether a business is looking to go paperless, cut power usage or reduce business travel, technology offers an increasingly wide range of solutions that can help business owners play their part when it comes to environmental sustainability –  while also staying within or below budget. Budget-friendly and environmentally-friendly? What’s not to be thankful for?

Let’s look at the top 3 strategies for going green with business technology:

Environmentally Friendly Tech Strategy #1 – Go Paperless

This one is straightforward. The less you need paper in your office, the fewer trees will be cut down to supply it. More trees in the forest mean more oxygen for the planet and so on. Most businesses have already made the switch to digital, but if you’ve been putting it off, the time is now.

Switching from hardcopy documentation systems to digital or cloud-based platforms isn’t just about saving the trees either. Making the switch poses huge business benefits as well. Sick of that chaotic desk full of paperwork? Wondering where you put that important invoice? Shocked at how much you’re paying for ink? In addition to helping the environment, going paperless saves time, sanity and capital.

Environmentally Friendly Tech Strategy #2 – Cut Power Usage

Safe to say most business owners would agree that a reduced hydro bill would be nothing to complain about. Technology is great for business, but many business owners realize that the more devices used onsite, the higher the electricity bill.

However, as technology continues to evolve, devices are being designed with power-usage in mind. Proper recycling of old servers, computers, and printers to make way for new, power-friendly replacements may seem like a big investment, but in the long run, the planet – and your wallet – will thank you.

Environmentally Friendly Tech Strategy #3 – Reduce Business Travel

One of the greatest things about the modern business world is that businesses can operate across the globe. No matter the industry, a growing number of businesses are expanding into international markets or working with vendors from across the globe.

Worldwide business is great, but getting face-to-face with international clients or service providers can result in a lot of cross-country flights and air pollution. Not to mention the cost of roundtrip business flights, plus accommodations. Luckily, technology has an answer for that too. Expanding communication capabilities like Skype and remote access solutions minimize the need for unnecessary travel and make global collaboration a breeze.

We live in a fast-paced and increasingly tech-based business environment. Technology is transforming everything about modern commerce. It’s a no-brainer that we should be using tech developments to improve our relationship with the environment as well. That’s why, as your counting your blessings this Thanksgiving, be sure to reflect on how lucky we are to be able to breathe the air and think about how your business can reduce its environmental impact.

There is nothing more important than protecting the habitat we all share, and technology can empower business owners to do just that. The best part? Between savings on paper, power and travel, going green is defined by cost-reduction. For business owners looking to stay competitive in a modern business market, staying environmentally friendly is just good business sense.

If your business is looking to reduce your carbon footprint, take a look at your technology infrastructure. Find out areas for improvement and make sure your network is set up to help you and the environment.

If you need a hand implementing some environmentally friendly tech strategies, reach out to a local technology firm for a consultation. Doing your part for the planet doesn’t have to mean a hit to your bottom line.

Comparing Project Management Solutions from Microsoft and Google

Getting tasks done efficiently is a top priority for any modern business. A huge part of driving efficiency is implementing strategic procedures for project management. A good project management platform can make a huge difference for business owners and allow them to keep on top of ongoing tasks and track project progress.

As technology continues to evolve, a variety of software programs are available to help business owners better manage projects. There are free and priced options, but for business owners who already use a variety of applications, adding on another platform for project management probably seems like another task in and of itself.

That’s why many business owners are looking to their existing software platforms for tools to help optimize project management. However, many don’t know where to start and aren’t even aware of what’s available to them. Since Microsoft’s Office 365 and Google’s G Suite are the leading for-business software platforms, let’s break down the customized project management solutions for each platform.

Microsoft Office 365: Fully Compatible Project Management Tools On & Offline

It’s no secret that Microsoft has long been at the forefront of technology for business. Office 365 is an incredibly popular platform used by professionals across the globe. Office 365 is feature rich and has countless applications that help business owners better manage tasks and streamline processes.

However, Microsoft has recently unveiled a new app, appropriately named Microsoft Project, that can be easily added on to an Office 365 platform. The new app doesn’t require additional software licenses and users are able to easily subscribe to the app for a low monthly fee. Microsoft Project is designed for full integration with all Office 365 apps and makes it easier than ever to manage all core business tasks from a centralized location.

Let’s break down the key features and benefits of Microsoft Project for Office 365:

• Task Management with a Birds-Eye View

The great thing about Microsoft Project is the way it consolidates all business projects onto a single screen. This gives business owners and administrators the ability to have a ‘birds-eye’ view of everything that’s happening at a given time. All projects can be titled, and a corresponding project plan can be attached.

This way, no matter the project, administrators can keep tabs on progression and potential challenges. Furthermore, when and if issues arise, administrators can easily access, review and/or change project plans to help get things moving. This makes it easier than ever for business leaders to stay in tune with employees and fill gaps as needed to streamline efficiency.

• Integrated for Server & Cloud

In true Microsoft fashion, Project is designed to be compatible with both server and Cloud versions of Office 365. Microsoft knows that some businesses prefer the Cloud, while others are sticking with on-server platforms. No matter the preferred style, Project is designed as a dynamic task management solution for either.

The greatest thing about the Cloud version is that it allows for anytime, anywhere access to Project. Since users don’t need on-premise software installed, they can log in anytime using a web-browser to check in on project updates and progress.

• Customizable Templates

Just like Office 365, Project is jam-packed with features that can be customized to suit the needs and preferences of any modern business. A project is equipped with a variety of pre-made, built-in templates to optimize project management including work breakdown charts, task and duration logs, assigned resources lists and more.

Including templates makes it easier than ever for business administrators to create new projects and immediately start organizing assignments, timelines, and resources. Templates can be customized to reflect project-specific issues and/or company regulations and employee expectations.

• Business Intelligence

Finally, to really optimize project management potential, Project features can be used to develop strategic insight into business operations. As you make and manage project templates, the application will identify consistencies and implement them into new templates – no matter who is creating them.

The application also creates critical path schedules as well as critical chain and event chain methods which provides strategic visuals of whose responsible for what and what the chain of command is for each project. Finally, Project is equipped with dynamic administrator controls that allow for access management and user classification.

G Suite: Project Management Designed for the Cloud-Loving Business User

While Microsoft is the long-held favorite, Google has been making waves lately with the new version of Google for Work, dubbed G Suite. The web-based platform is loaded with features much like Office 365 and is offered at varying budget-friendly price-points, depending on the size and shape of your business. G Suite boasts some of the same built-in project management features as Office 365, and following Microsoft’s lead, Google has also recently unveiled a new project management application called Wrike, designed to be fully compatible with G Suite.

Let’s break down the key features and benefits of Wrike for G Suite:

• Workload & Task Management

In Wrike, users have the ability to create blocks or sections of work necessary to complete larger goals. By breaking down big jobs into more manageable sub-sections, administrators can keep a better eye on tasks and overall project progression.

Wrike is also designed with real-time file editing capabilities and report generation tools so that information can flow easily and resources can be requested as needed. Finally, Wrike is designed with automation in mind and allows for tasks and resources to be automatically assigned when new projects are created.

• Real-Time Updates & Strategic Reporting

Wrike also has built-in updating and reporting capabilities that keep users informed of project updates and progression. The app includes a real-time newsfeed where all project news flows freely, as it happens.

There are reporting tools available for individual projects and overall team productivity which makes it easier than ever to identify weak spots and iron out efficiency challenges. Furthermore, sharing reports and project updates is made incredibly easy by the user dashboard feature that acts as a central hub for all project info.

• Collaboration

Of course, a huge part of any team project is the ability to communicate and collaborate. Whether a team member needs to check the information from an old email or send a project to a superior for approval, Wrike is designed with built-in collaboration tools that make creative and efficient teamwork a breeze.

Wrike offers email and calendar synchronization features that allow for a seamless transmission of important data. There are also strategic mentioning tools that allow users to easily get the attention of specific team members with questions or updates. Finally, Wrike is designed with a dynamic proofing center that allows users to get final stamps of approval from management before updating a project’s status to complete.

• Integration

Last but not least, Wrike is designed specifically to be an integration powerhouse. In a modern business world, so many different software applications play a part in getting work done. Wrike offers compatibility with a huge variety of business apps which makes the synchronization of important data very simple.

No matter what companies are using third-party apps for, Wrike is designed to promote integration and seamless compatibility. Maybe a company uses Photoshop for design projects or Zapier for app consolidation. Wrike allows for integration with these apps – and countless others – to ensure the chain of information is never fragmented.

No matter which platform you use, both applications can be customized to support a dynamic project management solution. Taking the time to get to know the features that both Project and Wrike offer will help you implement a fail-proof approach to project management. Furthermore, by choosing a project management tool that’s fully integrated with your current platform, data remains centralized and keeping tabs on business tasks will be easier than ever.

If you use Microsoft’s Office 365 or Google’s G Suite and are looking to optimize the platform, use this outline as a guide for understanding each provider’s approach to project management. Then, it’s as easy as subscribing to the add-on of your choice and making your software platform work for you.