With the growing reliance on digital tools for collaboration and productivity, Microsoft 365 has become an essential platform for businesses of all sizes. However, choosing the right licensing plan can be challenging, given the variety of options available. In this blog, we’ll break down three of the most popular Microsoft 365 licensing plans for small and medium-sized businesses: Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Microsoft 365 Business Standard, and Microsoft 365 Apps for Business.
Microsoft 365 Business Basic: Essential Cloud Productivity
Best for: Small businesses looking for essential productivity tools with cloud-based services at an affordable price point.
Key Features:
- Cloud-based services only: Web and mobile versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are included with Business Basic. These are great for users who don’t need full desktop versions.
- Microsoft Teams: Full access to Teams for messaging, video conferencing, and collaboration is a major highlight. It’s perfect for businesses embracing remote work.
- OneDrive: Each user gets 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage, enabling secure file sharing and access from any device.
- Email Hosting: Business Basic also includes professional email hosting through Exchange with a 50GB mailbox per user.
Why Choose Business Basic:
If your business needs cloud-based productivity apps and reliable email hosting without the need for desktop app installations, this is a cost-effective solution. It offers all the essential tools for small businesses, startups, or those that rely heavily on remote work.
Microsoft 365 Business Standard: Comprehensive Productivity Suite
Best for: Businesses looking for a well-rounded solution with both desktop apps and cloud services.
Key Features:
- Complete Desktop and Mobile Apps: Business Standard comes with full desktop and mobile versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Publisher for PC, among other well-known Microsoft applications. This provides offline access and additional features not available in the web versions.
- Microsoft Teams: As with Business Basic, Teams is fully integrated, supporting seamless collaboration and communication.
- Email and Calendar: Standard provides professional email hosting with 50GB mailbox per user, plus shared calendars and scheduling features.
- File Storage and Sharing: Users get 1TB of OneDrive storage, with the ability to securely share files and collaborate in real-time.
- Additional Business Apps: Business Standard includes useful apps like Bookings, which streamlines customer scheduling, making it ideal for service-based businesses.
Why Choose Business Standard:
This plan is the go-to option for businesses that need both desktop and cloud apps for maximum flexibility. It’s perfect for growing businesses that rely on advanced features for document creation, email, collaboration, and customer engagement tools.
Microsoft 365 Apps for Business: Focus on Core Apps
Best for: Companies needing robust productivity apps without additional cloud services or email hosting.
Key Features:
- Full Access to Office Apps: With Apps for Business, users get the full suite of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, and Access for both desktop and mobile devices.
- Cloud Storage: Like other plans, it offers 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage per user for document management and sharing.
- No Email Hosting or Business Apps: Apps for Business doesn’t include email services (like Exchange) or additional apps (like Teams, SharePoint, or Bookings). It’s focused on the core Office apps only.
Why Choose Apps for Business:
If your business already has a separate email provider and doesn’t need cloud collaboration tools like Teams or SharePoint, but you want the powerful suite of Microsoft Office apps, this plan is ideal. It provides flexibility and core tools without the extras.
How to Choose the Right Plan
When deciding which Microsoft 365 license is best for your business, consider the following:
- Work Environment: If your team is highly distributed or remote, Business Basic or Business Standard offers collaboration tools like Teams, which are essential for communication and project management.
- App Usage: Do your employees need full desktop versions of Microsoft apps? If so, Business Standard or Apps for Business would be ideal. If you prefer cloud-only access, then Business Basic is a cost-effective option.
- Email Needs: For businesses that need professional email hosting and calendar management, Business Basic and Business Standard are suitable options, while Apps for Business will not cover this.
- Budget Considerations: If budget is a major factor, Business Basic is the most affordable, offering the essentials for remote work and collaboration, while Business Standard provides additional apps and desktop capabilities for businesses needing more advanced features.
Conclusion: Tailor Microsoft 365 to Your Business Needs with Trace Network
Microsoft 365 offers flexible solutions that cater to businesses at different stages of growth. Whether you’re looking for basic productivity tools, advanced collaboration features, or full desktop access to powerful Office apps, there’s a plan that fits your needs. At Trace Network, we specialize in helping businesses like yours navigate these options, ensuring you select the right Microsoft 365 licensing plan to optimize productivity and collaboration within your organization.
If you’re considering adopting Microsoft 365 or need expert guidance on choosing the best plan for your business, contact Trace Network today. Our team is here to assess your company’s specific needs and provide tailored solutions to enhance your team’s efficiency and output.
