Microsoft 365 Business Standard Vs. Business Premium

Microsoft 365 Business Standard Vs. Business Premium

Today’s modern, digital workplace requires smart, secure, and productive tools to ensure flexibility and growth in business. For this reason, Microsoft offers organizations a variety of subscriptions that provide them with the tools they need to create, connect, and get more done from anywhere. Businesses can choose from different Microsoft 365 plans that encompass a variety of functionality and productivity tools depending on their needs and organizational structure.

What is Microsoft 365 for Business?

It is Microsoft’s productivity cloud designed to help organizations run their business smoothly and more effectively from anywhere and at any time. Microsoft 365 is more than just a bundle of apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, as it brings together best-in-class productivity apps with powerful cloud services, device management, and advanced security in one, connected experience.

Moreover, because Microsoft understands that companies do not have the same needs nor the same infrastructure, it offers four different subscription plans within Microsoft 365. However, the two most valuable subscriptions in Microsoft 365 for Business that contain the most features and levels of security are Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Microsoft 365 Business Premium. This article will compare the two different subscriptions.

Microsoft 365 Business Standard Vs. Microsoft 365 Business Premium

While Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Business Premium are both powerful plans that offer many key features for businesses including desktop versions of Office apps with premium features, the main difference between these two subscriptions lies in security.

Microsoft 365 Business Premium is a more robust plan for organizations that are not only looking to transform their office productivity, business processes, communications, and collaboration but also committed to protecting their data and building a strong cyber immune system in today’s digital world. With a Microsoft 365 Business Premium subscription, users get the same services included in Microsoft 365 Business Standard, plus premium security features and functions.

Microsoft 365 Business Standard

Microsoft 365 Business Standard is Microsoft’s productivity bundle that includes web and desktop Office applications like Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote that can be installed on up to five PCs/Mac, five tablets, and five smartphones. Moreover, this subscription also contains email, storage, project and task management, and automation services.

Additional Capabilities You Get from Microsoft 365 Business Premium

Microsoft 365 Business Premium contains all the features and services of Microsoft 365 Business Standard with additional security features and endpoint management capabilities to better protect organizations from any security threat and give them full control over most of their organizational assets. Here are some of the additional features included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium.

1. Microsoft Intune

Intune is a cloud-based service that focuses on mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM). Organizations control how their devices are used, including mobile phones, tablets, and laptops, and they can also configure specific policies to control applications. Intune can also be used to restrict how individuals’ personal devices interact with the organization’s network, as Intune protects organizational data by isolating it from a user’s personal data, even on the same device.

2. Microsoft Defender for Business

Defender for Business is a comprehensive endpoint security solution designed particularly for small-and medium-sized businesses (up to 300 employees). This security solution protects the devices in an organization from ransomware, malware, phishing, and other threats.

3. Azure Active Directory Premium Plan 1

Azure AD (Active Directory) is a complete identity and access management cloud solution that combines main directory services, application access management, and advanced identity protection. Azure AD Premium Plan 1 features include self-service password change, self-service password reset, self-service password unlock, group access management, and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).

4. Conditional Access

Conditional access is a feature in Azure Active Directory that allows businesses to gain control over access to apps within the organization through certain conditions that can be set and regulated from a central location.

So, Which Microsoft 365 Business Plan Should You Choose?

In conclusion, both Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Business Premium fuel organizations’ productivity, flexibility, and growth, as they help reimagine the traditional office by nourishing a more modern, intelligent, and digital workplace. When it comes to comparing the two plans, it is undeniable that a Microsoft 365 Business Premium subscription gives your business a stronger foundation with its additional advanced security features and management capabilities. However, it is important to know which plan is the most suitable for your organization, as many factors come into play including the needs of your organization and budget.

At Cloud Ascent, we can help you make the right decision by looking into your needs and guiding you throughout your digital transformation journey. Call us on +961 81 226 636 for a free consultation, and let us get you on the right track!