Why Choose Microsoft 365 for Your Business?
You may be wondering what the benefits of Microsoft 365 are. There are several
reasons that it is a favorite among businesses:
Flexibility and Accessibility
Microsoft 365 is cloud-based, allowing employees to access tools and data from any location and device. This makes it ideal for hybrid and remote work environments.
Integration with Essential Tools
Scalability
Regardless of your business’ size, Microsoft 365 is designed to grow with you. Its highly
scalable solutions allow you to easily upgrade as your needs change.
Microsoft 365 Plans Explained
- 1 TB (1,000 GB) of cloud storage
- Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote with offline access
- Microsoft Defender for personal data and devices
- Outlook
Ideal for: This plan is designed for individuals, and is generally unsuitable for all businesses except the smallest.
Microsoft 365 Business Plans
Microsoft 365 Business plans are designed for small to medium companies that want a
balance of price and features:
- Access to online-only versions of Office apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- 1 TB of cloud storage per user.
- Microsoft Teams for video calls and collaboration.
Ideal for: Microsoft 365 Business Basic is a good starting point for small teams with limited budgets, who primarily need basic collaboration tools.
- Desktop versions of Office apps, including advanced features not available in the online-only versions.
- Enhanced collaboration tools like webinar hosting through Teams.
Ideal for: Microsoft 365 Business Standard is perfect for growing businesses that need morerobust tools.
- All the features of Business Standard, plus advanced security and device management.
- Tools like Microsoft Defender and Intune to protect sensitive data and devices.
Ideal for: Microsoft 365 Business Premium is well-suited to organizations that prioritize security and want comprehensive device management.
Microsoft 365 Enterprise Plans
Microsoft Enterprise plans are designed for larger organizations with advanced needs:
- Core Office Apps (Web and Mobile Only): Access to web and mobile versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Collaboration Tools: Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Yammer for communication and document sharing.
- Email & Calendars: 50 GB mailbox per user with Exchange Online.
- Storage: 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage per user.
- Security & Compliance: Basic security features with standard compliance tools.
Ideal for: Microsoft 365 E1 is good for organizations needing basic collaboration and productivity
tools.
- Full Office Apps: Includes desktop, web, and mobile versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Email & Calendars: Exchange Online with a 100 GB mailbox per user.
- Collaboration Tools: Teams, SharePoint, Yammer, and Planner.
- Storage: Unlimited OneDrive storage (for qualifying plans).
- Advanced Security: Data loss prevention (DLP), Microsoft Information Protection (MIP), and compliance tools.
- Device Management: Intune and basic analytics with Microsoft 365 apps.
Ideal for: Microsoft 365 E3 is a good choice for businesses needing full Office apps, with enhanced security and management capabilities.
- Everything in E3: Full Office apps, Teams, Exchange, SharePoint, and OneDrive.
- Advanced Security: Microsoft Defender, Azure Active Directory Premium P2, and advanced threat protection (ATP).
- Compliance Tools: Advanced eDiscovery, Customer Lockbox, and Insider Risk Management.
- Analytics & Automation: Power BI Pro for business intelligence and analytics.
- Calling Features: Includes Microsoft Teams Phone with advanced telephony options.
Ideal for: Microsoft 365 E5 is perfect for enterprises requiring advanced security, compliance, and analytics capabilities.
Pricing and Cost Considerations
It is very likely that either Business Standard or Business Premium will be your main choice, since these plans offer a good balance of price and features for most companies. Here is a price comparison, if you are struggling to decide between the two:
Microsoft 365 Business Standard Price is $15.00 per month, but it offers fewer security features and may leave your company more vulnerable.
Microsoft 365 Business Premium Price is $26.40 per month, and it will provide comprehensive security solutions as well as Microsoft Intune.
If your budget is tight, consider signing up for a free trial before committing. This will allow you to test features and determine whether you have chosen the right plan, without a significant investment.
Find Your Perfect 365 Plan
Choosing the right Microsoft 365 plan comes down to understanding your business’ needs. From the Personal Plan to E5, Microsoft provides options for every company. By determining which services you require and what your IT budget is, you will be able to make an informed decision that benefits your business.
If you’re still having trouble deciding, ION247 can help. We understand Microsoft 365 inside and out, and remove the guesswork so you can confidently choose the right solutions for you. Learn more about our Microsoft 365 services today, and start your journey.
