Choosing the right Microsoft 365 licensing plan is an important decision, and one that needs to be made with an eye to the long term. You should consider a number of factors including the functionality of the product, the feature set required, and your specific business needs. The more features you need, the more expensive the license will be.
A Microsoft 365 licensing plan has many benefits. It includes dozens of SaaS online services including Office 365, Windows 10 Enterprise, Enterprise Mobility + Security, and machine learning. In addition, the company has several options for adding on licenses that are designed to meet your organization’s specific needs.
Microsoft has two active partner programs, the Licensing Solutions Provider (LSP) Partner Program and the Cloud Solutions Provider (CSP) program. These programs allow partners to submit tickets to Microsoft’s premier support services at no cost. Those organizations not on the CSP platform can also submit tickets at a cost of $500 per ticket. While the CSP model is not for every company, it is an option for larger enterprises that want to take advantage of the perks that a licensing partner can provide. The company has a bulk order sales team that can help with these purchases.
Microsoft is constantly updating their licensing offerings, and it is important to understand which of these offerings are most relevant for your business. The company has categorized its products and services into five commercial service families and three enterprise service families. These service families are based on the needs of different types of customers. The enterprise service family is targeted at medium to large organizations, while the commercial service family focuses on smaller businesses. In addition, the company has launched a new licensing option for SMBs.
Microsoft 365 licensing comes in four tiers. These tiers include Basic, Business, Premium, and Enterprise. The Business tier includes the desktop versions of Office apps, while the Enterprise tier includes the Microsoft Bookings feature. The Business Premium license may also require add-ons, while the Enterprise license is a full package with software assurance and other key features.
The Microsoft 365 E3 released a new licensing option for SMBs. The new option allows companies to purchase licenses at a 20% discount on a monthly basis. In addition, Microsoft offers an extra grace period for overdue licenses. The new licensing option may have a big impact on your budget, especially if your organization is on the fence about adopting Microsoft 365.
Microsoft 365 licensing is a complex topic, but understanding the most important features is the first step. You should also consider a number of other factors before choosing the right license for your organization. The most important factor to consider is how you will use Microsoft 365. If your company has a large workforce or seasonal workers, then a monthly P1M license may be the best option for you. Similarly, if your organization has a small, but growing, staff, then a Business Premium license may be the best option for you.