The Knowledge Centre
When talking about the popular Microsoft services, many people wonder what the difference between Office 365 and Windows 365 is. The short answer: not much since the name change in 2020.
While many used both names interchangeably, originally Office 365 referred to the cloud-based suite of applications including Outlook, PowerPoint, and more. Microsoft 365 referred to a bundle of services that included Office 365 among other services such as Windows 10 Enterprise.
As of 2020, the official branding name has been changed from Office 365 to just Microsoft 365 in order to offer an all-in-one solution to Microsoft’s customers.
If you’re running a business, Microsoft 365 is one of the best solutions to empower the modern workplace. Productivity solutions enable smooth communication and cooperation no matter the location. In this month’s blog, we’ll deep dive into what Microsoft 365 Business Premium is and what advantages it offers.
The features of Microsoft Office 365 Premium
The easiest way to understand Microsoft 365 Business Premium, is to split it into 3 sections. It consists of:
– Windows 10 Professional
Windows 10 has been well established, but many don’t realise how good an option Windows 10 Professional is for businesses. Including all the same features of the regular Windows, the Professional version also comes with extra safety features such as BitLocker and Windows Defender, as well as Update for Business, Remote Desktop, and Assigned Access.
– Enterprise Mobility & Security
Enterprise Mobility & Security is a suite of tools that provide added layers of protection for your data. You get benefits like identity management and mobile device management. It’s also far easier to manage both personal and work devices, to ensure that sensitive data is protected whilst away from the office.
– Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 Business Premium is the professional version of the powerful suite of applications. Connect with (remote) teams via Outlook, Exchange, and Teams, and boost your productivity with apps such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
Microsoft 365 Business Premium vs Standard: What's right for my business?
You might wonder whether Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Premium is better for your business. The answer depends on your business requirements and what you plan on using it for. To compare:
Microsoft 365 Business Standard
- Access to desktop versions of Microsoft 365 apps with premium features
- Chat, call, meet up to 300 attendees
- Seamless hosting of webinars
- Reporting tools
- Managing of customer appointments
Microsoft 365 Business Premium
- Access to desktop versions of Microsoft 365 apps with premium features
- Chat, call, meet up to 300 attendees
- Seamless hosting of webinars
- Reporting tools
- Managing of customer appointments
- Advanced security
- Access and data control
- Cyber threat protection
Essentially, both packages are similar in features, whereas Business Premium comes with an extra layer of security features for your business. Microsoft 365 Business Premium is ideal for small to mid-sized businesses with up to 300 users.
You can additionally add things such as multi-factor authentication and rights management to login to your Microsoft 365 account and ensure the correct people are accessing documents when they’re being shared.
Other security features include:
- Microsoft 365 comes ready packaged with Advanced Threat Protection, safe attachment and safe links protection.
- You can protect your work files on devices by restricting mobile access or functions such as copy and paste or downloading attachments on non- company devices. You can also selectively wipe business data from mobile devices if they are lost or stolen, brilliant if you use employees’ personal devices and need to be able to just wipe company data.
- Advanced features in Microsoft 365 Business are available to help you protect your business against cyber threats and safeguard sensitive information.
How much does Microsoft 365 Premium cost?
Microsoft subscriptions are conveniently priced per user, meaning you will only pay for the services you will actually need for your team. Current (subject to changes) subscription pricing amounts to:
Microsoft 365 Business Basic: £4.50 user/month
Microsoft 365 Business Standard: £9.40 user/month
Microsoft 365 Business Premium: £16.60 user/month
We hope this has cleared up any questions or confusion you might have surrounding Microsoft 365 vs Office 365. At Southern IT, we specialise in helping businesses that their computers and systems are working properly. If you’re ready to make the switch, why not reach out to our experts to help you with your migration? With our Microsoft 365 support, you don’t need to worry about a thing.
Keen to learn more? Explore our other resources on Cloud Hosted Telecoms below:
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