Why Making the Switch is a Strategic Move with Real Financial Gains

Switching from one productivity platform to another is a big move—so if your team is looking to migrate from Google to M365, it’s critical to ensure the transition delivers real value. That’s why we’ve created this blog packed with key insights, stats, and ROI calculations to help you evaluate the benefits. If you're currently using Google Workspace and considering a Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 migration, or planning a Google Suite to O365 transition, you're probably wondering: Is it worth it?

The short answer? For many growing businesses—yes.

But let’s unpack that. Below, we’ll walk through what the migration actually looks like, what it might cost, and how it can lead to serious savings, better tools, and a smoother workday for your team.

Table of Contents

1. Google vs Microsoft 365: Choosing a Platform Built for Scale

2. Why Businesses Are Migrating from Google Workspace

3. Key Benefits of Migrating to Microsoft 365

4. Understanding M365 Migration Costs

5. Microsoft 365 Migration: ROI Breakdown

6. Formula for Calculating ROI

7. Real Microsoft 365 ROI Example

8. Conclusion: Is Microsoft 365 Worth it?

Google vs Microsoft 365: Choosing A Platform Built for Scale

When it comes to growing your business, having the right tools is everything. As teams expand and face new challenges, having a platform that can scale with you becomes crucial. Microsoft's platforms M365 and O365 go beyond email and documents, connecting all your essential tools, from email and calendars to collaboration and security.

Let's first address the difference between Microsoft 365 and Office 365. Essentially, Office 365 includes all the classic Microsoft apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, but Microsoft 365 takes it a step further by adding a suite of additional tools designed for today’s hybrid, security-conscious workplace. With Microsoft 365, you get everything Office 365 offers, plus enterprise-level security, device management, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, and even tools for compliance and identity management.

So, when you’re thinking about the Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 migration or a Google to O365 migration, you’re looking at more than just switching tools—you’re embracing a more powerful, integrated ecosystem designed to support your business as it grows.

Google vs Microsoft 365

• Microsoft 365 gives you both desktop and cloud apps, which means you get all the features you need whether you’re online or offline.

• It comes with built-in security and compliance tools, which are critical for businesses handling sensitive data or working in regulated industries.

• From managing devices to protecting endpoints, Microsoft 365 is ready to support your growing remote and hybrid teams.

Google vs O365

• Office 365 offers a more robust email experience with Outlook and Exchange, offering deeper management and control than Gmail.

• SharePoint and OneDrive allow for more secure and organized document storage, perfect for growing teams who need control over file sharing and permissions.

• A Google to O365 migration helps streamline your tools and workflows, putting everything you need in one secure, reliable place.

At the end of the day, whether you’re considering a Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 migration or moving over to Office 365, Microsoft’s platform is designed to scale with your business, providing the tools you need today and as you grow.

Why Businesses Are Migrating from Google Workspace

Outside of scalability, Google Workspace has its strengths with clean design, ease of use, and real-time collaboration. However, today's teams are running into other limitations within the Google Workspace platform that not only limit their businesses—but call into question the justification of the recent price increasements. For instance:

• You’re stacking additional tools like Zoom, Slack, or Dropbox just to fill functionality gaps.
• Your team needs full-featured desktop apps—not just browser-based versions.
• You’re looking for more robust data control, compliance, and security features.

And here's another factor that’s often overlooked: Microsoft 365 is the global standard.
With over 2 million businesses worldwide relying on it—including most enterprises—there’s a strong chance that your partners, vendors, and clients are already operating in the Microsoft ecosystem.

Whether it’s sending documents, collaborating in Teams, or accessing shared files via SharePoint, having Microsoft 365 isn’t just helpful—it’s often expected. In other words, even if you love Google Workspace, your team will likely need Microsoft 365 access at some level just to stay compatible with the rest of the business world.

Furthermore, because Microsoft 365 consolidates email, meetings, file sharing, project management, and security under one roof, many businesses find they can streamline operations and cut costs in the process.

Key Benefits of Migrating to Microsoft 365

Let's explore some of the most common benefits we see customers experience when migrating from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365:

1. Reducing Infrastructure and SaaS Costs

Migrating to Microsoft 365 consolidates your tech stack, a strategic move strongly endorsed by business and technology experts due to the significant cost savings associated with tech stack consolidation.  

“From individuals to markets, the inevitable outcome of having too many choices is a desire to make fewer choices” Writes Steven O’Grady, Principal Analyst and Co-Founder of Red Monk, highlighting the disarray faced by many users and business leaders in today’s digitally evolving world. Noting that in result, “Consolidation and centralization are real, and they are here”.

Tools like Teams (for communication), SharePoint (for document management), and OneDrive (for cloud storage) replace the need for multiple third-party apps—many of which are used to supplement limitations in Google Workspace.

Cost Efficiency Insight:
Gartner highlights that business can save up to 30% by consolidating their tech stack, and many companies find with the Migration to M365 they can finally eliminate redundant licenses for Zoom, Slack, Dropbox, project management tools and more.

2. Boosting Collaboration and Productivity

With Microsoft Teams deeply integrated into Outlook, OneDrive, and your file system, employees can collaborate in real time without jumping between platforms. The addition of Microsoft Copilot (AI-powered assistance) also unlocks faster workflows and better insights from your documents and data.

Value Proposition:
Streamlined workflows reduce time wasted switching apps and improve cross-functional communication—leading to a measurable boost in employee productivity across departments.

3. Built-In Enterprise Security

Microsoft 365 includes advanced security features that are often add-ons or unavailable in Google Workspace. These include:

• Microsoft Defender for Business
• Multi-factor authentication
• Information rights management
• Threat detection and response tools

Why it Matters:
For organizations that handle sensitive data, these features reduce the need to invest in standalone cybersecurity solutions—protecting your business and your budget.

4. Flexibility for Every Role

Unlike the uniform pricing of Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 offers tiered licenses that allow you to tailor access based on employee roles. Not every user needs the full suite—giving you the flexibility to match tools to needs without overspending.

Result:
This role-based licensing can lead to 10-15% cost optimization across your workforce.

Understanding Migration Costs: What to Plan For

Before seeing the ROI, businesses need to plan for the up-front costs associated with migration. Here's a breakdown of what to expect:

1. Initial Setup and Migration Services

These include data migration, user provisioning, and system configuration. If you’re moving emails, calendars, Drive files, and permissions from Google Workspace, expert help is often recommended to avoid disruption.

2. User Training and Change Management

Training employees to adopt the new tools is crucial. Microsoft 365 offers richer features, but ensuring your team is comfortable and confident using them is key to maximizing ROI.

3. Temporary Disruptions

Downtime is often minimal with a well-executed migration plan, but it’s still important to prepare for temporary adjustments. Using a managed service provider can help you avoid delays and maintain business continuity.

Microsoft 365 Migration: ROI Breakdown

Let's break down how this migration can lead to a substantial return on investment (ROI) in a more relatable way by using a hypothetical example based on estimated averages of costs and benefits.

1. Migration Costs (MC)

Think of migration costs as the initial investment to set everything up:

• Setup Costs: $2,000 (Setting up the new system)
• Migration Costs: $5,000 (Moving all your data over)
• Training Costs: $3,000 (Teaching your team how to use the new tools)
• Internal IT Costs: $2,000 (Your IT team's time and effort)
• Total MC: $12,000

2. Annual Software Savings (ASS)

Switching to Microsoft 365 can help you save on software and infrastructure:

• Eliminated Third-Party Tools: $10,000 (No need for extra software)
• Infrastructure Cost Reductions: $5,000 (Lower IT infrastructure costs)
• Total ASS: $15,000

3. Productivity Gains (PG)

Microsoft 365's tools can have a powerful impact on workplace productivity:

• Increased Output per Employee: Imagine each employee saves 1 hour per week. With 100 employees and an average hourly wage of $30:
  • 100 employees * 1 hour/week * 52 weeks/year * $30/hour = $156,000
• Reduced Admin Time: $10,000 (Less time spent on administrative tasks)
• Total PG: $166,000

4. Security Savings (SS)

Enhanced security features can save you from costly breaches and fines:

• Data Breach Prevention: $50,000 (Avoiding a major data breach)
• Compliance-Related Fines: $10,000 (Staying compliant with regulations)
• Consolidated Security Solutions: $26,400 (Saving on multiple security tools)
• Total SS: $86,400

5. Annual ROI Calculation

Using the formula provided: ROI (%) = [(ASS + PG + SS) / MC] x 100

• Total Benefits: $15,000 (ASS) + $166,000 (PG) + $86,400 (SS) = $267,400
• Total Costs: $12,000 (MC)

ROI (%) = ($267,400 / $12,000) x 100 = 2228.33%

Formula for Calculating ROI

To help you calculate your own ROI tailored to your business, here's a simple formula:

Annual ROI Formula: ROI (%)=(ASS+PG+SSMC)×100ROI (%)=(MCASS+PG+SS​)×100

Where:

• • • MC = Migration Costs (Setup + Migration + Training + Internal IT Costs)
    • ASS = Annual Software Savings (Eliminated third-party tools + Infrastructure cost reductions)
    • PG = Productivity Gains (Increased output per employee, reduced admin time)
    • SS = Security Savings (Reduced risk exposure and compliance-related fines)

   

Real ROI Example: Forrester's 2025 TEI Study on Microsoft 365 E3

To give you a real-world perspective, Forrester Consulting conducted a Total Economic Impact™ (TEI) study in 2025, commissioned by Microsoft, to evaluate the ROI of deploying Microsoft 365 E3. Here's what they found:

Adopting Microsoft 365 E3 provided a composite organization with a three-year ROI of 197% and a payback period of less than six months. This means that the organization saw nearly double the return on their investment in just three years, and it took less than six months to start seeing those returns.

Credit: Forrester

The study revealed that the organization realized benefits worth $153.21 million over three years, compared to costs of $51.65 million. This resulted in a net present value (NPV) of $101.56 million. In simpler terms, the organization gained over $100 million in value after accounting for the costs.

Key Benefits Highlighted in the Study

• • Boosted Productivity: Both end-users and IT teams experienced increased efficiency, thanks to the integrated tools and features of Microsoft 365 E3.
  • Enhanced Security: The advanced security features helped reduce the likelihood of breaches, protecting sensitive data and ensuring compliance.
  • Reduced IT Costs: By adopting Microsoft 365 E3, Teams, and Microsoft 365 Copilot, the organization was able to streamline operations and reduce IT complexity, leading to significant cost savings.

Conclusion: Is Microsoft 365 Worth It?

Migrating from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 isn’t just a tech decision—it’s a financial and operational strategy. For growing businesses, the platform offers a clear path toward greater productivity, better security, and smarter IT spending.

Whether you’re scaling up, tightening budgets, or looking to unify tools and teams, Microsoft 365 offers the features—and financial logic—you need to move forward.

Need help getting started?

Partnering with a Microsoft 365 migration expert can streamline the process, unlock key discounts and help you build a licensing strategy tailored to your business goals. Reach out to our team to get a personalized roadmap and start unlocking the full value of Microsoft 365.

Download Our Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 Migration Worksheet

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