It's hard to believe that we are talking about banning Microsoft 365, just as Microsoft 365 has climbed to more than 300 million users. In this post, we'll look at what you can do if your country (or someone else's) has banned Microsoft 365 and how a ban might affect your organization.

Microsoft 365 is a collection of cloud-based services including Office 365, Windows 10, and Enterprise Mobility + Security. It's available in over 180 countries and used by over 1.2 million businesses.

It is a software package that includes Office 365, Windows 10, and other Microsoft products. Many of the countries that have enacted bans on Microsoft 365 say they took that step because they needed to protect the privacy and security of their citizens. They also used the opportunity to promote their own domestic businesses in the field of communications software.

So why would a country ban it?

Many of the countries that have enacted bans on Microsoft 365 say they took that step because they needed to protect the privacy and security of their citizens.

Here's some news circulating around the ban on Microsoft 365 around the world:

• According to computerweekly.com, "German schools cannot legally use Microsoft Office 365 over lack of clarity about how data is collected, shared and used, as well as the potential for unlawful transfer of European citizens’ personal data to the US." Full article here.
• An article from prednyslm.eu states, "It was a direct reaction of French Government to American law (18 U.S. Code § 2713). Under the new "Cloud at the Center" doctrine, the French government has been banning ministries since October from using cloud service packages from Microsoft & Office 365. There are fears that Microsoft could possibly share information with the US government. The main concern is the disclosure of sensitive data concerning French citizens, French society and, in particular, public officials of the state." Full article here

If you're based in one of these countries, then there's not a great deal you can do about the ban on Microsoft 365. This will (hopefully) serve as some swift encouragement to seek out a comprehensive replacement.

What can you do now?

• One option is to do nothing. This option is highly discouraged, and I really hope this goes unsaid. Again, don’t choose this option.
• Another option is to quilt together disparate software to construct something resembling what you once had. This option requires many sales calls with different companies, and loads of research, and will likely result in something much more expensive and less scalable than a single platform.
• Consolidation is key here. The third option is to find a single platform that can do everything your Microsoft 365 platform did. If it does it even better, that's a win. If this option sounds too good to be true, let me introduce you to a host of products from a SINGLE provider that could make your information management and governance strategy a screaming success.

Whether your reasons for not using Microsoft 365 include regulatory demands, government restrictions, or just plain preference, you've still got options. Micro Focus' enterprise software not only helps your teams collaborate closely, but it also helps you manage the crucial information you need for business success. Check out a few of the many options from Micro Focus below that serve as alternatives to Microsoft 365:

Enterprise Messaging

Can't use Outlook, Exchange, or Teams? We offer email, instant messaging, and enterprise collaboration tools with built-in security, archiving, and recovery.

Unified Endpoint Management

Need an alternative to Autopilot, Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, Microsoft Intune, or Defender for Endpoint? Our solutions provide traditional and modern device management to protect, secure, and manage your Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Linux endpoint devices.

Secure Content Management

If you can’t use OneDrive, Stream, Sway, Lists, Forms, or Visio, we have you covered. Our solutions help you reduce risk, complexity, and cost when managing content. Secure your business by knowing what data you’ve stored, who has access to it, and which policies are most effective to manage it.

Data Protection

Can’t use Microsoft Defender, Azure Information Protection, or Advanced Threat Analytics? Data Protector and Data Protector for Cloud Workloads deliver backup and disaster recovery for physical, virtual, cloud, and container environments.

Collaboration

We also have alternatives for Teams, SharePoint, Yammer, and Viva Connections. Our collaboration solutions bring people, projects, and processes together in one secure place to enhance team and employee productivity.

GroupWise

Can’t use Microsoft Outlook, Exchange, or Bookings? Try Micro Focus GroupWise. Our solution gives you modern email, messaging, calendaring, contact management, and scheduling for today’s mobile world. With a dynamic, flexible interface, you can easily meet your organization’s requirements.

Secure File Sync and Share

If you can’t use Microsoft OneDrive, Filr will allow you to remotely access and share, internally or externally, your existing on-premises file storage from a browser, desktop, or mobile app. No cloud. No duplication. No additional security overhead. Only better collaboration.

Explore more ways Micro Focus can fill the gaps left by Microsoft 365.

We hope that this article has given you some useful information about how to deal with a ban on Microsoft 365 in your country or elsewhere.

We’d love to discuss your options if you’re feeling stuck.

The Micro Focus IM&G team

Know your data | empower your people | drive your future Join our community | @microfocusimg | www.microfocus.com