7/29/2025

Secret Superpowers of Microsoft 365 Business Standard No One Tells You, Not Even Microsoft

Microsoft 365 Business Standard is a powerhouse for small to medium-sized businesses, packed with tools that go beyond the familiar Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. While its core apps are well-known, many features remain underutilized, offering untapped potential to skyrocket productivity and drive revenue generation. This article uncovers the top 10 secret superpowers of Microsoft 365 Business Standard that can transform your business operations, enhance collaboration, and boost your bottom line. From automation to AI-driven insights, these hidden gems are your key to achieving unmatched efficiency and growth. Discover why businesses in India and beyond should leverage these features and purchase from the recommended seller, cloudretails.com, which offers Microsoft 365 Business Standard pricing between ₹8,500 and ₹12,500 per user annually, along with free partner support and free installation.


Why Microsoft 365 Business Standard?

Microsoft 365 Business Standard is a cloud-based productivity suite tailored for businesses with up to 300 users. It combines desktop and web-based Office apps, cloud storage, professional email, and collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams. Priced competitively at ₹8,500–₹12,500 per user per year in India, it’s a cost-effective solution for SMEs aiming to streamline workflows and enhance teamwork. However, many businesses barely scratch the surface of its capabilities. Below, we reveal 10 underutilized features that can supercharge productivity and revenue, making Microsoft 365 Business Standard a must-have for modern businesses.


Top 10 Underutilized Features of Microsoft 365 Business Standard

Here are the top 10 secret superpowers of Microsoft 365 Business Standard, their benefits for productivity and revenue, and how to leverage them effectively:

Power Automate: Automate Workflows for Efficiency

  1. What It Does: Power Automate lets you create automated workflows to streamline repetitive tasks, such as sending notifications, updating databases, or syncing data across apps.
  2. Why It’s a Superpower: Saves hours by automating manual processes, reducing errors, and freeing employees for high-value tasks. For example, a retail business can automate inventory updates, ensuring stock levels are always accurate, boosting sales efficiency.
  3. Revenue Impact: Streamlined operations reduce costs and improve turnaround times, directly increasing profitability.
  4. Productivity Boost: Microsoft reports up to 40% time savings on repetitive tasks, allowing teams to focus on strategic initiatives.
  5. How to Use: Create workflows in Power Automate to connect Microsoft 365 apps with third-party tools like CRMs or email platforms. Start with templates for common tasks like approval processes.
  6. Why Underutilized: Many businesses lack awareness of its low-code interface or assume it requires advanced technical skills.


Power Apps: Build Custom Apps Without Coding

  1. What It Does: Power Apps enables businesses to create tailored applications for specific needs, such as inventory tracking or customer management, using a low-code platform.
  2. Why It’s a Superpower: Custom apps address unique business challenges, potentially creating new revenue streams. For instance, a logistics firm can build a delivery tracking app, enhancing customer satisfaction and retention.
  3. Revenue Impact: Custom solutions can differentiate your business, attracting clients and improving service delivery.
  4. Productivity Boost: Simplifies processes by replacing manual methods with user-friendly apps, saving time and reducing errors.
  5. How to Use: Use Power Apps’ drag-and-drop interface to build apps connected to Microsoft 365 data, such as SharePoint lists or Excel tables.
  6. Why Underutilized: Businesses often assume app development is complex or costly, overlooking Power Apps’ accessibility.


Microsoft Teams: Beyond Meetings to Project Management

  1. What It Does: Teams is more than a chat and video call tool; it offers channels, tabs, and integrations for project management, file sharing, and task tracking.
  2. Why It’s a Superpower: Centralizes collaboration, reducing silos and speeding up project delivery. For example, a marketing team can manage campaigns within Teams, integrating tasks and files for seamless execution.
  3. Revenue Impact: Faster project turnaround and improved client communication can lead to higher customer satisfaction and repeat business.
  4. Productivity Boost: Microsoft research indicates up to 40% productivity improvements for project-driven teams using Teams’ advanced features.
  5. How to Use: Set up channels for projects, integrate apps like Planner for task management, and use AI-powered meeting recaps to streamline follow-ups.
  6. Why Underutilized: Many businesses use Teams only for basic communication, missing its robust project management capabilities.

OneDrive and SharePoint: Advanced Collaboration and Knowledge Management

  1. What It Does: OneDrive provides 1 TB of cloud storage per user, while SharePoint offers advanced content management for team sites and document libraries.
  2. Why It’s a Superpower: Enables secure, real-time collaboration and knowledge sharing across teams. For example, a consulting firm can use SharePoint to centralize client proposals, ensuring version control and accessibility.
  3. Revenue Impact: Improved collaboration leads to faster decision-making and better client deliverables, driving revenue.
  4. Productivity Boost: Various reports indicates a 32% productivity increase for teams using desktop and cloud functionalities compared to web-only plans.
  5. How to Use: Use OneDrive for individual file storage and SharePoint for team sites with automated permissions and workflows.
  6. Why Underutilized: Often used only for basic file storage, missing SharePoint’s advanced collaboration and automation features.


Microsoft Bookings: Streamline Customer Scheduling

  1. What It Does: Bookings simplifies appointment scheduling, integrating with Outlook and Teams to manage client interactions.
  2. Why It’s a Superpower: Reduces no-shows and improves customer experience by offering a professional booking system. For example, a salon can use Bookings to manage appointments, ensuring optimal staff utilization.
  3. Revenue Impact: Enhanced customer service and reduced scheduling errors increase client retention and revenue.
  4. Productivity Boost: Automates scheduling, freeing staff from manual coordination and allowing focus on service delivery.
  5. How to Use: Set up a Bookings page linked to your website, allowing clients to book directly with real-time availability.
  6. Why Underutilized: Businesses often rely on manual scheduling or third-party tools, unaware of Bookings’ seamless integration.

Microsoft Forms: Data-Driven Decision Making

  1. What It Does: Creates surveys, quizzes, and polls for collecting customer feedback, employee insights, or market research data.
  2. Why It’s a Superpower: Informs strategic decisions with actionable data. For example, an e-commerce business can use Forms to gather customer feedback, driving product improvements and sales.
  3. Revenue Impact: Insights from Forms can refine marketing strategies and enhance customer offerings, boosting revenue.
  4. Productivity Boost: Streamlines data collection, eliminating manual surveys and enabling faster decision-making.
  5. How to Use: Create Forms via the Microsoft 365 portal, share via links or QR codes, and analyze responses in Excel.
  6. Why Underutilized: Often seen as a basic survey tool rather than a strategic asset for business intelligence.

Advanced Security Features: Protect and Build Trust

  1. What It Does: Includes Exchange Online Protection and Microsoft Defender for Office 365 to safeguard against phishing, malware, and data breaches.
  2. Why It’s a Superpower: Ensures compliance and protects sensitive data, building customer trust. For example, a financial services firm can secure client data, avoiding costly breaches.
  3. Revenue Impact: Trust and compliance attract and retain clients, safeguarding revenue streams.
  4. Productivity Boost: Reduces downtime from security incidents, keeping teams focused on core tasks.
  5. How to Use: Configure security settings in the Microsoft 365 admin center to enable anti-phishing and malware protection.
  6. Why Underutilized: Viewed as background features, not recognized as critical for business reputation and efficiency.


Microsoft Loop: Collaborative Workspaces for Teams

  1. What It Does: Loop provides dynamic workspaces for project collaboration, integrating with Teams and other Microsoft 365 apps.
  2. Why It’s a Superpower: Enhances teamwork by centralizing project components, such as tasks and documents. For example, a product development team can use Loop for real-time project updates, speeding up launches.
  3. Revenue Impact: Faster project delivery and improved collaboration lead to quicker market entry and higher revenue.
  4. Productivity Boost: Streamlines project management, reducing coordination time and improving team efficiency.
  5. How to Use: Create Loop workspaces for projects, linking to Teams channels and SharePoint documents.
  6. Why Underutilized: As a newer feature, many businesses are unfamiliar with its capabilities.


Delve: Intelligent Search and Knowledge Discovery

  1. What It Does: Delve offers personalized search based on user activity, helping find documents, contacts, and expertise across Microsoft 365.
  2. Why It’s a Superpower: Saves time by surfacing relevant content quickly. For example, a sales team can locate past proposals instantly, improving pitch preparation.
  3. Revenue Impact: Faster access to information accelerates sales cycles and client responses, driving revenue.
  4. Productivity Boost: Reduces time spent searching for resources, enhancing overall efficiency.
  5. How to Use: Access Delve via the Microsoft 365 portal to search for documents or identify team expertise.
  6. Why Underutilized: Users are often unaware of Delve or its ability to streamline knowledge management.

OneNote with Teams: Centralized Note-Taking

  1. What It Does: Integrates OneNote with Teams for shared note-taking, centralizing meeting agendas and project documentation.
  2. Why It’s a Superpower: Improves organization and reduces miscommunication. For example, a project manager can document meeting notes in OneNote, accessible within Teams, ensuring alignment.
  3. Revenue Impact: Clear documentation reduces errors in project execution, enhancing client satisfaction and revenue.
  4. Productivity Boost: Centralizes information, saving time on follow-ups and clarifications.
  5. How to Use: Link OneNote notebooks to Teams channels for real-time note-sharing and collaboration.
  6. Why Underutilized: Often overlooked as a standalone app, missing its integration potential with Teams.


How These Features Drive Revenue and Productivity

These secret superpowers transform Microsoft 365 Business Standard into a catalyst for business success:

  1. Automation (Power Automate, Power Apps): Reduces operational costs by automating tasks and creating custom solutions, allowing focus on revenue-generating activities.
  2. Collaboration (Teams, Loop, OneDrive, SharePoint): Speeds up project delivery and improves client deliverables, enhancing customer satisfaction and repeat business.
  3. Customer Engagement (Bookings, Forms): Streamlines client interactions and provides data-driven insights, boosting retention and sales.
  4. Security: Protects data, ensuring compliance and trust, which are critical for maintaining revenue streams in regulated industries.
  5. Knowledge Management (Delve, OneNote): Saves time and reduces errors, accelerating decision-making and sales cycles.

By leveraging these features, businesses can achieve unmatched productivity, with studies showing up to 40% time savings and 32% productivity increases compared to basic plans. This translates to faster growth, lower costs, and higher revenue potential.


Rundown

Power Automate: Automates workflows, saving time and reducing errors, allowing focus on high-value tasks.

Power Apps: Creates custom applications, addressing specific needs and potentially opening new revenue streams.

Microsoft Teams: Centralizes communication and collaboration, enhancing team efficiency and project management.

OneDrive and SharePoint: Facilitates secure file storage and collaboration, essential for remote work.

Microsoft Bookings: Streamlines appointment scheduling, improving customer service and operational efficiency.

Microsoft Forms: Gathers data for decision-making, useful for market research and customer feedback.

Advanced Security Features: Protects data, ensuring compliance and trust, crucial for maintaining revenue streams.

Microsoft Loop: Provides collaborative workspaces, enhancing team productivity and project management.

Delve: Enhances search capabilities, helping users find information quickly and efficiently.

OneNote with Teams: Integrates note-taking with team communications, improving organization and collaboration.



Buying Guide for Microsoft 365 Business Standard

To unlock these superpowers, purchase Microsoft 365 Business Standard from a trusted vendor like cloudretails.com, which offers:

  1. Pricing: ₹8,500–₹12,500 per user annually in India.
  2. Free Partner Support: Expert guidance for setup, migration, and optimization.
  3. Free Installation: Seamless deployment to get you started quickly.

Steps to Buy:

  1. Assess Needs: Determine the number of users (up to 300) and required features, such as desktop apps or collaboration tools.
  2. Choose cloudretails.com: Benefit from competitive pricing, free support, and free installation for a hassle-free experience.
  3. Implement: Use cloudretails.com’s support to configure Teams, Power Automate, and other tools for maximum impact.
  4. Train Teams: Educate employees on underutilized features like Loop and Delve to ensure adoption.
  5. Scale: Add users as needed, leveraging the subscription’s flexibility.


Purchasing from cloudretails.com ensures you get the most value from Microsoft 365 Business Standard