Why Choosing Microsoft 365 Business Premium Is a Smart Investment for Your Business
With Microsoft 365 price changes coming this April, now is the perfect time to ask:
“Am I on the right plan?”
Microsoft 365 Business Premium bundles security, productivity, and cost-efficiency into one streamlined package—helping your business save money while boosting IT security. In this post, we’ll explore what makes Business Premium stand out, how much you could save, and why it deserves a closer look. Let’s dive in.
Microsoft Licensing Updates: Essential Information for Your Business
Starting April 1, 2025, Microsoft will increase certain Microsoft 365 license prices by 5% for all customers, including nonprofits, education, and government. This applies to annual commitment plans billed monthly, taking effect at renewal.
Next Steps:
- Check your renewal dates—price changes apply at renewal.
- Review your current plan to ensure it fits your business needs.
- Consult your IT provider or account manager for cost-saving options.
A little planning now can prevent budget surprises later.
Is It Time to Rethink Your Microsoft 365 Plan?
With pricing changes coming soon, it’s worth asking: Am I truly maximizing my Microsoft 365 subscription?
Many businesses start with Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Office 365 E3, but these plans often miss critical security features—forcing extra spending on add-ons. Microsoft 365 Business Premium solves this by including advanced security, compliance, and management tools in a single, all-in-one plan.
What Makes Microsoft 365 Business Premium Stand Out?
Unlike Business Standard or Office 365 E3, Microsoft 365 Business Premium delivers enterprise-level security without the high price. Key features include:
- Conditional Access – Restricts access to trusted users/devices
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP) – Prevents accidental or malicious leaks
- Microsoft Defender – Protects against malware, phishing, and cyberattacks
- Purview Encryption – Secures sensitive emails and files
- Intune (MDM) – Manages and protects company devices
These built-in protections eliminate the need for extra security add-ons, saving money while boosting security. Next, let’s look at the real cost difference.
Cost Breakdown: See How Much You Could Save
At first glance, Business Standard, Office 365 E3, and Business Premium seem similar—they all include Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint. The real difference is in security.
Monthly per-user pricing:
- Business Standard – $12
- Office 365 E3 – $23
- Business Premium – $22
Business Premium may seem just $1 cheaper than E3, but it includes advanced security that E3 does not—making it the smarter choice.
Business Premium Security in Action: What You Get
Microsoft 365 Business Premium combines enterprise-grade security in a single package, helping businesses safeguard data, block cyber threats, and manage devices effectively. Here’s a look at its key security features in action.
Conditional Access: Keeping Unauthorized Users Out
Conditional Access ensures only trusted users and devices can sign in, automatically blocking suspicious activity.
How It Works: It checks factors like location, device, and behavior before granting access. Unusual attempts are blocked or require extra verification—for example, a login from an unknown device in another state is immediately denied.
Securing Devices with Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
Multifactor Authentication (MFA) is your first—and arguably most effective—line of defense against unauthorized access, especially as more employees work remotely or use personal devices.
How to Set Up MFA on Business Devices:
Setting up MFA is straightforward and well worth the effort. Here’s a quick outline of the process:
- Choose an MFA Method
Employees can secure their accounts by choosing authentication methods such as text messages, authenticator apps (e.g., Google Authenticator or Duo Mobile), or physical security keys. - Enroll Devices
Walk team members through enrolling their device of choice during sign-in, ensuring they download and set up their preferred authentication app on smartphones or tablets. - Verify Identity
Once set up, users will be prompted to verify their identity each time they sign in—from a new device, location, or after a password change—by entering a one-time code or approving a prompt in their authentication app. - Monitor and Maintain
Regularly review devices enrolled in MFA and encourage employees to update authentication methods if they change devices or phone numbers.
By enabling MFA, you dramatically reduce the risk of unauthorized access and make it significantly harder for cybercriminals to penetrate your systems—even if passwords are compromised.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Protecting Sensitive Information
DLP stops confidential information from being shared externally via email, Teams, or file sharing.
How It Works: It detects sensitive data—like Social Security numbers or financial info—and blocks unauthorized sharing. For example, if an employee tries to email a spreadsheet with customer credit card numbers, DLP blocks it and notifies IT.
Microsoft Defender for Business: Guarding Against Cyber Threats
Defender for Business blocks phishing, ransomware, and malware before they cause harm.
How It Works: Using AI and machine learning, it scans emails, files, and devices, blocking threats and alerting IT. For example, a suspicious CEO-email requesting a wire transfer is flagged and blocked, preventing fraud.
Microsoft Purview Encryption: Keeping Emails and Files Secure
Purview Encryption ensures only authorized recipients can access sensitive content.
How It Works: With a single click, employees can encrypt emails or files. Even if forwarded, security settings remain intact. For example, a legal firm encrypts a contract so only the intended client can open it.
Microsoft Intune (MDM): Device Management and Security
Intune lets businesses control access, enforce security policies, and remotely wipe lost or stolen devices.
How It Works: IT restricts access for non-compliant devices, enforces encryption, and manages corporate apps. For example, a lost company phone can be wiped remotely to protect data.
All these security features are built into Microsoft 365 Business Premium—no extra software needed.
Switching to Microsoft 365 Business Premium: A Step-by-Step Guide
Transitioning to Microsoft 365 Business Premium is simple and can quickly boost security, efficiency, and cost savings. A smooth move begins with careful planning and these essential steps.
Try Before You Buy: How to Test Drive a Productivity & Security Solution
Curious whether a new productivity and security suite is right for your business? A hands-on trial is the best way to know for sure—before you make the switch. Here’s how to approach testing a platform (and its security features) before making a long-term commitment.
What to Do:
- Request a Free Trial: Most enterprise software providers offer limited-time trials. Sign up for a test account and invite a few team members who represent different departments—like sales, finance, and IT.
- Set Up Key Security Tools: Activate core protection features such as device management, encryption tools, and data loss prevention. If you’re currently using third-party solutions (e.g., Okta for identity or Symantec DLP), temporarily run them alongside the new system for comparison.
- Test Everyday Scenarios: Have your users try out essential workflows—collaborating on documents, sending encrypted emails, accessing sensitive files from various devices, and simulating lost-device scenarios.
- Simulate Threats: Work with your IT team to stage a few common cyberthreats—like phishing attempts or unauthorized access—from safe, internal accounts. See how the platform responds in real-time.
- Measure Ease of Use & Support: Make note of how simple it is to set up accounts, adjust security settings, and get help when needed.
By running a structured trial, you’ll get a firsthand look at both productivity perks and real-world security. This approach takes out the guesswork—so your team can move forward with confidence.
Resources and Support for IT Partners: Onboarding and Managing Clients
To make onboarding and managing clients as seamless as possible, there’s a wealth of support and guidance available specifically for IT partners. Here’s how you can get up to speed—and help your clients thrive.
- Partner Guides and Playbooks: Comprehensive guides and step-by-step playbooks walk you through best practices for deploying advanced security, device management, and compliance features. Whether you’re building your first client environment or optimizing an existing setup, these resources are designed to save you time and eliminate guesswork.
- Live Webinars & On-Demand Training: Stay sharp and current with interactive webinars, expert-led workshops, and on-demand courses. From deployment tips to deep dives on securing hybrid workforces, these learning pathways keep you—and your team—one step ahead.
- Dedicated Partner Communities & Forums: Share insights, ask questions, and connect with other IT professionals through active partner communities. These forums are fantastic for troubleshooting, exchanging strategies, and staying updated on the latest tools, whether you’re dealing with remote device management or fine-tuning data loss prevention with Symantec or McAfee.
- Centralized Partner Portals: Robust partner portals consolidate customer management tools, onboarding checklists, and support ticket tracking in one place. These dashboards let you monitor client environments, apply security baselines, and respond to incidents quickly—no tab overload required.
- Specialized Multi-Tenant Management Solutions: Tools are available to streamline management across multiple customer environments. Effortlessly deploy configuration baselines, enforce security policies, and monitor client health from a single pane of glass—ideal if you’re juggling multiple client organizations.
- FAQs and Support Hotlines: For day-to-day questions or urgent troubleshooting, searchable knowledge bases and responsive support lines mean you’re never left in the dark.
Armed with these resources, partners can confidently deploy, secure, and support client environments—delivering real value, not just licenses.
Step 1: Review Your Current Licenses and Security Setup
Before switching, assess your current setup and identify gaps:
- Current Plan: Are you on Business Standard, Office 365 E3, or another plan? Note missing security features.
- Extra Security Tools: List third-party solutions like Okta, Symantec DLP, or McAfee—many are included in Business Premium.
- Security Policies: Implement Conditional Access, device management, and data protection if not already in place.
- License Renewal Dates: With price increases starting April 1, 2025, knowing renewal dates helps optimize timing for savings.
Step 2: Plan Your Migration to Minimize Disruption
To ensure a smooth rollout:
- Start with a pilot group: Test Business Premium with a small team before a full rollout.
- Communicate with employees: Explain the changes, highlighting improved security and easier access.
- Schedule upgrades during off-peak hours: Migrate after hours or on weekends to reduce disruption.
- Coordinate with IT: Work with your IT team or provider early if Microsoft 365 isn’t managed in-house.
Move Email and Contacts Seamlessly
Migrating email and contacts doesn’t have to be a headache. Here’s how businesses can tackle it smoothly:
- Export existing data: Most platforms—including Google Workspace, Zoho Mail, or even legacy services like GoDaddy or Rackspace—provide export tools for email and contacts. Use these to back up everything before you start.
- Use built-in migration tools: Modern platforms often include step-by-step wizards or migration assistants (like those from BitTitan or SkyKick) to transfer messages, address books, and calendars with minimal downtime.
- Verify and test: Once the import is complete, ask users to check a few sample messages and contacts to confirm nothing was lost in the shuffle.
- Plan for redirects: Set up mail forwarding or retention on the old platform during transition, so no important messages slip through the cracks.
Taking these steps ensures business communications keep humming along, with all contacts and historic emails right where you need them.
Step 3: Implement Security Features in Phases
You don’t need to enable everything at once—phase them in gradually:
- Phase 1: Secure Access – Activate Conditional Access & Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for immediate login protection.
- Phase 2: Device Security – Deploy Microsoft Intune to control company-approved devices.
- Phase 3: Data & Email Protection – Set up DLP and Microsoft Defender to block phishing, malware, and ransomware.
- Phase 4: Ongoing Optimization – Regularly review and adjust security settings as threats evolve.
A Safer, Smarter, and Simpler Future
Upgrading to Microsoft 365 Business Premium isn’t just about cost savings—it simplifies IT, strengthens security, and prepares your business for the future. A phased approach ensures a smooth transition, keeping employees productive while enhancing security.
Getting Help: Support for Your Productivity and Security Solutions
Questions about your new productivity or security setup? No worries—help is always close by.
- Reach Out to Your IT Partner: If you already work with a trusted managed service provider like Ntiva, contact them directly for quick answers, troubleshooting, or expert advice.
- Explore Online Resources: Many providers host step-by-step guides, video tutorials, and FAQs on their websites. These are perfect for quick how-tos or troubleshooting common issues.
- Join the Conversation: Engage with the broader business community by joining technology forums such as Spiceworks or Reddit’s r/sysadmin. These communities offer peer advice, tips, and real-world solutions from other businesses like yours.
- Submit Support Tickets: Most IT partners and vendors have dedicated support portals for submitting tickets, tracking progress, and getting personalized help.
- Schedule Personalized Training: Want to boost team skills? Ask your provider about group training, live workshops, or webinars on everything from device management to data security.
Whether you need immediate troubleshooting or ongoing guidance, utilizing a mix of these options ensures your team stays efficient and protected.
Ready to switch or explore your options? Contact Ntiva to review your current plan and plan the best upgrade path. Meanwhile, sign up for our Microsoft 365 for Business Mastery Series to stay updated with the latest tips and insights.
