In today's dynamic business environment, choosing the right productivity and collaboration suite is critical for any organization's success. Microsoft 365 offers several options tailored to different business needs. Two popular plans that are often compared are Microsoft 365 business standard and Microsoft 365 Business Premium. Both are powerful, but they cater to different business requirements, depending on factors like company size, security needs, and budget.

In this blog, we will explore the key features, pricing, and benefits of Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Microsoft 365 Business Premium to help you determine which option is best suited for your business.

What is Microsoft 365?

Microsoft 365 is a comprehensive cloud-based suite of applications and services designed to improve business productivity, collaboration, and security. It includes a range of familiar applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more, alongside powerful cloud services such as OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams.

Microsoft 365 business standard is a well-rounded plan for small and medium-sized businesses that require essential productivity and collaboration tools. Microsoft 365 business premium builds on this foundation and adds advanced security and management features, making it ideal for organizations that need extra protection for sensitive data and devices.

Key Features of Microsoft 365 Business Standard

Microsoft 365 Business Standard is designed for companies that need robust business productivity solutions but don’t require enterprise-level security or management features. This plan offers a comprehensive set of tools that can help employees collaborate and work efficiently, both in-office and remotely.

1. Full Access to Microsoft Office Applications

With Microsoft 365 Business Standard, you gain access to the full desktop versions of Microsoft Office apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, and Access. You can use these applications on up to five devices per user, which means you can access your work on your computer, tablet, and phone seamlessly.

2. 1 TB OneDrive Storage

Each user receives 1 TB of cloud storage through OneDrive, enabling them to store and share files securely in the cloud. This makes it easy for teams to collaborate on documents and projects in real-time from any location.

3. Microsoft Teams

One of the highlights of the Business Standard plan is Microsoft Teams, a collaboration platform that integrates video conferencing, chat, and file sharing. Teams have become the go-to platform for many businesses, allowing employees to work together seamlessly, whether they're in the same office or spread across the globe.

4. SharePoint

SharePoint provides businesses with a powerful platform for document management and team collaboration. With Microsoft 365 Business Standard, users can create team sites to share information, organize documents, and collaborate on projects efficiently.

5. Exchange Email Hosting

This plan includes professional email hosting with a 50 GB mailbox for each user, as well as a custom domain name. Exchange email also comes with a suite of advanced email management tools, including calendar, contact, and task management features, all synchronized across devices.

6. Additional Business Apps

Microsoft 365 Business Standard also includes tools like Microsoft Bookings, which allows businesses to schedule and manage appointments, and Microsoft Forms, which lets you create surveys, quizzes, and polls to gather feedback from customers or employees.

Pricing for Microsoft 365 Business Standard

This makes it an affordable option for small and medium-sized businesses looking for a comprehensive productivity suite without advanced security requirements.

Key Features of Microsoft 365 Business Premium

Microsoft 365 Business Premium includes all the features of Business Standard, with additional security and management tools that make it ideal for businesses handling sensitive data or those that need to manage multiple devices.

1. Advanced Security Features

One of the biggest selling points of Microsoft 365 Business Premium is its suite of advanced security tools. With features like Microsoft Defender for Office 365, your business is protected from phishing, malware, ransomware, and other cyber threats. Additionally, the plan offers information protection tools that ensure sensitive data remains secure, both inside and outside your organization.

2. Azure Active Directory Premium

Azure Active Directory Premium is included in the Business Premium plan, providing businesses with multi-factor authentication, conditional access, and identity protection. These features help ensure that only authorized users can access sensitive company data.

3. Device Management with Intune

With Microsoft Intune, Business Premium allows you to manage and secure both company-owned and personal devices used to access business data. Intune provides mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) capabilities, ensuring your business can control how employees access and use corporate data on their devices.

4. Advanced Threat Protection

Business Premium includes advanced threat protection features, such as Safe Links and Safe Attachments, which help prevent malicious links and attachments from reaching your employees’ inboxes. This is a crucial feature for businesses that need to safeguard against sophisticated cyber-attacks.

5. Remote Access and Device Wipe

With Microsoft 365 Business Premium, you can remotely access and wipe data from lost or stolen devices. This ensures that sensitive company information doesn't fall into the wrong hands if a device is misplaced.

Pricing for Microsoft 365 Business Premium

This higher cost reflects the enhanced security and management features that come with this plan, making it a valuable investment for businesses that prioritize data protection and device management.

Choosing Between Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Business Premium

When deciding between Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Microsoft 365 Business Premium, the key consideration is the level of security and management tools your business needs.

Who Should Choose Microsoft 365 Business Standard?

Small to medium-sized businesses that need a full suite of productivity and collaboration tools but don’t handle highly sensitive data or require advanced security measures.

Businesses that want cloud storage, professional email hosting, and the ability to work on multiple devices without the need for device management.

Organizations that primarily use cloud services and don’t require advanced device management.

Who Should Choose Microsoft 365 Business Premium?

Medium-sized to larger businesses or companies in highly regulated industries that handle sensitive data and need advanced security and compliance features.

Businesses that require robust device management and want the ability to control access to company data on both company-owned and personal devices.

Organizations with remote teams or a distributed workforce that needs remote access to secure data and protection against cyber threats.

Why Choose Cloud Galaxy as Your Microsoft 365 Reseller in India?

Navigating the various Microsoft 365 plans and choosing the right one for your business can be overwhelming, but that’s where Cloud Galaxy comes in. As a trusted Microsoft 365 reseller in India, Cloud Galaxy offers personalized support to help you select the best plan for your organization. From helping you understand the differences between Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Business Premium to ensuring a smooth implementation and providing ongoing support, Cloud Galaxy is your go-to partner for all things Microsoft 365.

Benefits of Choosing Cloud Galaxy:

Personalized Consultation: Cloud Galaxy helps you evaluate your business needs and recommends the most suitable Microsoft 365 plan for your organization.

Expert Implementation: The team at Cloud Galaxy ensures that your Microsoft 365 solution is implemented smoothly, minimizing downtime and disruption to your business.

Ongoing Support: From troubleshooting to training, Cloud Galaxy provides ongoing support to ensure your business makes the most of its Microsoft 365 subscription.

Conclusion

Choosing between Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Microsoft 365 Business Premium comes down to your business’s specific needs. If you're a small business looking for core productivity tools without advanced security requirements, Business Standard is likely the better choice. However, if security, compliance, and device management are top priorities for your business, Microsoft 365 Business Premium offers a comprehensive solution. Partnering with Cloud Galaxy as your Microsoft 365 reseller in India ensures that you receive expert guidance in selecting and managing the plan that best suits your business.