Microsoft is Officially Launching Sway: Should You Be Moved?

Microsoft is adding yet another new application to the Office 365 line-up with the launch of Sway; think of it as an easy-to-use PowerPoint web interface. Sway allows users to create and share interactive reports and presentations. We know that average business and education users rely on PowerPoint as the standard for presentations, but with Sway, perhaps Microsoft is actually trying to move PowerPoint users over to a new tool.

How does it stack up?

One potential problem is that Sway might be too simple; they promise interactive content, but how unique can your content get? Hopefully Sway won’t turn into another dull PowerPoint project with reused slide templates.

We have to admit that PowerPoint presentations have become dry, repetitive, and sometimes even boring. Sway actually spices presentations up in a way that PowerPoint never could; it allows you to add videos and interactive charts so your audience stays engaged and informed.

Convenient and Secure

• Sway is user friendly and incredibly easy to navigate. Plus, every step is auto-saved directly into your Microsoft OneDrive, so you never have to worry about losing work.
• Microsoft describes Sway as ‘digital storytelling’; its unique features include the ability to import PDFs, Excel spreadsheets, and even PowerPoint presentations. Sway is live via the Web, so you can access it right from your Office 365 portal.

Could this be Microsoft’s way of developing a new platform to catch on with a younger workforce? It’s certainly appealing – all you need is a browser and an Office 365 account and you’re ready to work. Windows 10 users will have the app available at their disposal, so we encourage you to give it a try and see if it’s right for you.

Sway is also currently available to most customers with an Office 365 plan that includes Office Online, Office 365 Business, or Office 365 ProPlus.

Need help purchasing an Office 365 Business or Enterprise plan to start using Sway? Contact CTECH Consulting Group at info@ctechgroup.net or (403) 457-1478 for expert assistance and consulting.

Written by Carl Fransen

posted on September 22, 2015

Carl Fransen

My passion is to make my mark on the world in a positive and lasting way. I want to set an example for my son that his father can compete with integrity in today’s world, be very successful, and leave the world a better place for him.

Combining my technical/business-based education with a long career steadily progressing up the corporate ladder, I decided to build a company that held true to my values. So, I founded and designed the next generation of IT support firm: CTECH Consulting Group Inc. We are a completely automated, cloud-based IT company designed to compete against any other IT firm without the overhead. We promote a lifestyle to all our staff where they can work anywhere, at any time, access any information on any device that is relevant to their job, and collaborate with anyone they want to.