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Published on:
31 August 2023
Author:
TechPath
Is It Time to Move to Microsoft Edge?
In life, it is easy to become attached to the status quo, and technology is no different. Change requires effort and mindshare, so just as we might not take the time to research and switch to a better bank or health fund, we might also stick with the comfortable familiarity of an app that has served us well in the past. Change, though, is necessary for progress – and if you haven’t revisited your browser choice recently, you might just be missing out on some compelling reasons to switch to Microsoft Edge.
That’s not to speak ill of Google Chrome. The browser has been dominant for a reason, just like Firefox, Netscape Navigator, and Mosaic before it – OK, we’re delving back into history there but those changes all brought advances. Chrome is attractive, and almost everybody uses Google as a search engine, right? What you might not realise is that Microsoft Edge is built on Chromium, which gives it a level of familiarity that makes a switch easier. But why bother?
Well, to start with, most businesses live in a Microsoft ecosystem, and most are getting more concerned about their data. That’s sensible – data plays a vital role and holds significant value, so protecting it from loss, securing it well, and working it for maximum advantage is smart. Edge integrates Defender and extends Microsoft security and intelligence controls into the users’ online worlds, including built-in tracking prevention. Most Microsoft plans, especially Microsoft 365 Business Premium, include additional security functionality.
Authentication is more efficient
Let’s face it, nobody loves remembering lots of new passwords when they start a new job, but with Edge, you are logged into your browser and commonly accessed systems as a part of logging into your computer, all protected by multi-factor authentication. With Edge, this is just more seamless and more readily automated and controlled in the business environment. Also helping with onboarding, you can program the business’s default settings via InTune, so everybody gets a consistent experience.
The loss of data isn’t just from hackers. One of the biggest challenges with Chrome is that when you’re signing in, it is typically with your personal Google account. When a staff member leaves, they take that personal account with them, which means that all your company passwords are saved to their Google account. At best, that means a lot of time spent resetting passwords, and at worst, it unnecessarily compromises security.
Microsoft Edge is a star when it comes to web filtering. It is simple to control at an organisational, group, or individual level what categories of website are allowed or blocked. For example, you might want to block specific types, such as gambling sites, or simply anything that Microsoft Edge intelligence deems risky. It may be necessary to allow access to social media for the marketing team, but not for the call centre. It is easy to set rules to suit the organisation’s unique needs. This type of control is something that Microsoft, with a world of corporate experience, does very well.
Transition between platforms is easy
Once, it used to be painful to switch browsers, but thankfully those times have changed. Transition is made easier by the two platforms’ similarities. Easy retention of favourite plug-ins is made possible because Microsoft Edge is built on the same technology as Chrome. Put simply, if you use a plug-in with Chrome, you can install it with Edge on your Windows, Android, iOS and Mac OS devices. You can make Google the default search setting to keep that familiarity where it matters.
Speaking of devices, the speed and efficiency of Edge saves on battery life and memory usage. One of Chrome’s limitations is the sheer amount of computer resources and memory it consumes. We’ve found that the speed and battery life erase a few frustrations and are a winning benefit with staff. Those who like to switch seamlessly from working on their iPhone or Android to their MacBook or Windows machine will be happy to know that this handy functionality is unchanged and working on-the-go is as easy as ever, plus their mobile browsing gets the additional authentication benefits too.
Making the change is something that can be done readily in-house, and Microsoft Edge is a free browser, so this is a way to improve on security and performance without stretching the budget. It can be worth a chat with your IT partner about what preferences will suit you best when you roll out Microsoft Edge, and talk through how you can get the most of the security potential that has opened up for you. We include this advice about managing the change as part of any managed service contract, in fact, so getting an Edge doesn’t have to wait.