The Unseen Cost of Your Google & Microsoft Mix-Up

Walk into almost any small or medium-sized business today, and you’ll likely find a mix of technology. Marketing teams might live in Google Docs and Sheets, while the finance and operations departments rely on Microsoft Excel and Teams.

On the surface, this blend of tools seems flexible and convenient. Everyone gets to use what they’re most comfortable with. But what you might not see is the hidden mess this mix-up is creating behind the scenes. This isn't just about a preference for one app over another; it's about a series of "unseen costs" that are hurting your business.

Let's pull back the curtain and look at the real problems.

1. Wasted Time and Lost Productivity

Ever tried to share a Google Doc with a colleague who only uses Microsoft Teams? What about trying to find a file someone saved to SharePoint when you’re used to Google Drive? These small moments of friction add up. The time your team spends searching for the right file, converting documents, and trying to communicate across two different systems is a constant drag on productivity. It’s like having two sets of tools that don't quite fit together, and everyone is fumbling to make them work.

2. The Big Security Risk

Managing security across two separate platforms is a nightmare. It’s nearly impossible to set up consistent security rules when one team is in Google and another is in Microsoft. This creates security gaps that can be exploited. Sensitive data can accidentally be shared or lost, and enforcing simple policies like multi-factor authentication becomes a confusing mess. The more platforms you use, the more doors you have to lock—and the more likely you are to leave one of them open.

3. Paying for Duplicate Services

Are you paying for cloud storage in Google Drive and again in OneDrive? Do you have different subscription plans that don't quite match up? When you have a mix of services, you often end up paying for duplicate features or premium tools that nobody is using because they're on the other platform. It's a textbook example of inefficient spending, and it can add up to a significant amount of money that's just leaking from your budget.

4. The Management Headache

If your business has a mix of platforms, your IT team or internal "tech person" has double the work. They have to manage two different sets of user accounts, handle two different billing systems, and troubleshoot two different types of problems. This is complex, time-consuming, and a major source of stress. It's an unnecessary drain on your team's energy and resources.

This confusion and inefficiency isn't a problem you have to live with. It’s a common issue that has a very clear solution. You don’t need to get rid of your favorite tools; you just need an expert to bring order to the chaos.

The good news is, you don’t have to keep struggling with these issues. The solution isn't to get rid of your favorite tools, but to bring in a partner who can connect them all. A trusted team like Interlock IT specializes in solving exactly these kinds of mix-ups. Interlock IT can help you create a unified system that works for everyone, bringing clarity and control to your technology. By letting experts handle the complexity, you're not just fixing a technical problem—you're making a smart business decision.

The Takeaway 

You don't have to choose between a mix of tools that causes headaches or a single platform that doesn't fit your needs. By working with a skilled partner like Interlock IT, you can achieve the best of both worlds: a streamlined, secure, and cost-effective digital environment that truly works for your business.

Contact Interlock IT today.