Which Microsoft 365 Business Plan is Right for Your Company?

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, selecting the right productivity suite is crucial for maintaining efficiency and security. Microsoft 365 offers various plans tailored to different business needs. Among these, the Business Basic, Business Standard, and Business Premium plans stand out for small to medium-sized businesses. Let’s delve into each of these plans and compare their features to help you decide which one best suits your business.

Microsoft 365 Business Basic

Features:

• Web and Mobile Versions of Office Apps: Access to web-based versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. These can be used on mobile devices as well.

• Business Email: 50 GB mailbox per user, custom domain names, and access to Microsoft Exchange.

• Cloud Storage: 1 TB of OneDrive storage per user for file storage and sharing.

• Collaboration Tools: Access to Microsoft Teams for communication and collaboration, SharePoint for document management.

Ideal For: Small businesses that need basic office tools and cloud services for email, storage, and collaboration but do not require desktop applications.

Microsoft 365 Business Standard

Features:

• All Business Basic Features: Includes everything in Business Basic.

• Desktop Versions of Office Apps: Full access to desktop versions of Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Publisher) with offline capabilities.

• Business Apps: Access to additional business apps like Microsoft Bookings for scheduling appointments.

Ideal For: Businesses that need full desktop versions of Office apps along with web-based tools. It’s suitable for companies that require more robust collaboration and scheduling tools.

Microsoft 365 Business Premium

Features:

• All Business Standard Features: Includes everything in Business Standard.

• Advanced Security: Enhanced security features like Microsoft Defender for Office 365, advanced threat protection, data loss prevention, and Microsoft Intune for device management.

• Device Management: Comprehensive management of company devices with Intune, allowing for secure access to company data.

Ideal For: Businesses that require advanced security and device management features. This plan is perfect for companies that need to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with industry regulations.

In-Depth Comparison

1. Office Applications:

• Business Basic: Offers only web and mobile versions of Office apps. This is suitable for businesses that primarily use cloud services and do not require offline access.

• Business Standard: Includes both web-based and full desktop versions of Office apps, providing greater flexibility and productivity, especially when offline access is necessary.

• Business Premium: Also includes both versions but focuses on additional security and management features.

2. Security and Compliance:

• Business Basic: Provides basic security features suitable for small businesses with less stringent security requirements.

• Business Standard: Offers the same basic security features as Business Basic but lacks advanced security measures.

• Business Premium: Enhances security with advanced threat protection, data loss prevention, and device management, making it ideal for businesses handling sensitive information.

3. Collaboration and Productivity:

• Business Basic: Provides essential tools like Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive for collaboration. This plan is good for small teams that need basic collaboration features.

• Business Standard: Enhances collaboration with additional business apps like Bookings, making it easier to schedule and manage appointments.

• Business Premium: Includes all collaboration tools from Business Standard with added security and management, ideal for larger teams requiring robust protection and compliance.

Choosing the Right Plan

When selecting between Business Basic, Business Standard, and Business Premium, consider the specific needs of your business. If you need basic productivity tools and cloud services, Business Basic is a cost-effective choice. For businesses requiring full desktop applications and additional business apps, Business Standard offers a comprehensive solution. However, if your business deals with sensitive data and requires advanced security and device management, Business Premium provides the best value.

How Vantage Impact Partners Can Help

At Vantage Impact Partners, we understand that choosing the right Microsoft 365 plan can be challenging. Our team of experts is here to help you navigate these options and find the perfect fit for your business. We offer consultation services to assess your needs, implement the chosen solution, and provide ongoing support to ensure you get the most out of your investment. Whether you’re a small business starting with Basic or a growing company needing Premium’s advanced features, Vantage Impact Partners is your trusted partner in achieving digital transformation. Schedule a free discovery call with our team to get started!