Why buy Microsoft 365 Business Premium licences?

When it comes to Microsoft 365 licenses , the choice between Standard, Basic, and Premium can be pivotal. Our IT Baseline Standard requires all of our supported customers must have Business Premium licences, and there are good reasons why. In this article, we’ll delve into why investing in Microsoft Business Premium licenses is the smart choice for businesses.

Basic, Standard, and Premium. What’s the difference?

Before we explore the specific advantages of Microsoft Business Premium, let’s briefly distinguish between the available plans and what they provide:

Microsoft 365 Business Basic:

• Core cloud services for messaging and collaboration.
• Web and mobile versions of Office apps.
• Limited security features.

Microsoft 365 Business Standard:

• All the features of Business Basic.
• Desktop versions of Office apps.
• Enhanced security and compliance capabilities.

Microsoft 365 Business Premium:

• All features of Business Standard.
• Advanced security and device management.
• Microsoft Defender for Office 365.
• Azure Information Protection.

So why Business Premium?

The Power of Comprehensive Collaboration

1. Full Suite of Office Apps:

One of the key differentiators of Microsoft Business Premium is the inclusion of desktop versions of Office apps. This means that your team has access to powerful tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, not just online but also on their local devices. This enhances functionality, especially in scenarios where internet connectivity might be a concern.

2. Microsoft Teams – Your Hub for Teamwork:

Business Premium takes collaboration to the next level with Microsoft Teams. This unified communication platform allows your team to chat, meet, call, and collaborate seamlessly. With the Premium plan, you get advanced features like meeting recording, in-depth analytics, and integration with other Microsoft 365 services.

Fortifying Security Measures

3. Advanced Threat Protection:

For us, this is the single most important reason for using Business Premium licences; security is paramount. Business Premium offers advanced threat protection through Microsoft Defender for Office 365. This intelligent security solution helps safeguard your business against sophisticated phishing attacks, malware, and other cyber threats, providing you with peace of mind in an era of increasing cybersecurity concerns.

4. Azure Information Protection:

Protecting sensitive data is non-negotiable for any business. With Azure Information Protection, Business Premium empowers you to classify, label, and protect data based on its sensitivity. This ensures that confidential information is secure, whether it’s being shared internally or externally.

5. Identity and Access Management:

Security isn’t just about external threats; internal risks must also be addressed. Microsoft Business Premium provides advanced identity and access management capabilities, allowing you to control and monitor who has access to your business data. Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of protection, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access critical information.

Streamlining Management and Productivity

6. Device Management:

In today’s increasingly mobile workforce, managing devices efficiently is a priority. Microsoft Business Premium simplifies device management, allowing you to enforce security policies, deploy applications, and manage updates seamlessly. This is especially crucial for businesses with a mix of office and remote workers, ensuring a consistent and secure user experience across devices.

7. Intelligent Cloud Search:

Time is money, and Business Premium helps you save both. With intelligent cloud search capabilities, your team can quickly find the information they need across a multitude of apps and documents. This not only enhances productivity but also reduces the frustration of searching through multiple platforms for a specific piece of information.

Cost-Effectiveness and Scalability

8. Value for Money:

While the initial cost of Business Premium may be higher than Basic or Standard, the additional features and enhanced security measures justify the investment. Consider it an insurance policy for your digital assets, protecting your business from potential threats and ensuring smooth operations.

So that’s why we insist on Business Premium licences for everyone that we support. Yes, some people may not need desktop apps, but most do. Yes, some won’t make use of all the time-saving and efficiency tools that are included, but every single person benefits from the security options that these licences bring to the table.

While Basic and Standard plans may suit the needs of smaller businesses with simpler requirements, the Premium plan is an investment in the future and in security. It not only meets the immediate needs of your business but also positions you to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.

In conclusion, choosing Microsoft Business Premium is more than a simple business decision or a requirement of our Baseline Standard; it’s a strategic move toward a more secure, collaborative, and efficient future. It just makes sense.

If you’d like to know more about how Microsoft 365 can benefit your business then get in touch today.