Office 365 Business Standard vs Office 365 Business Premium: Choosing the Right Plan for Your Business

In today’s digital-first world, productivity tools are essential for businesses of all sizes. Microsoft Office 365 has become the go-to solution for companies looking to streamline communication, boost collaboration, and enhance security. With different plans tailored to specific business needs, Office 365 business standard and Office 365 Business Premium are two popular choices for small to medium-sized businesses.

Understanding the differences between these two plans is crucial when deciding which one is right for your organization. In this blog, we will explore the features, benefits, and use cases of both Office 365 Business Standard and Office 365 Business Premium, helping you make an informed decision.

Overview of Office 365

Office 365 is a cloud-based subscription service that brings together the classic Microsoft Office apps (such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) with powerful cloud services like OneDrive, Teams, and Exchange Online. The key advantage of Office 365 is its ability to enable real-time collaboration and accessibility from any device, whether you’re in the office or on the go.

For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), Office 365 offers several different plans, but Office 365 Business Standard and office 365 business premium stand out as comprehensive solutions for companies looking to improve their workflows and protect their data.

Office 365 Business Standard

Office 365 Business Standard is designed for companies that need a full suite of Office apps, collaboration tools, and basic cloud services, without the need for advanced security features.

Key Features of Office 365 Business Standard:

Office Applications: Includes the latest desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote, along with mobile apps for tablets and smartphones.

Microsoft Teams: A powerful communication tool that brings together chat, video meetings, file sharing, and collaboration.

Exchange Email: Provides a 50 GB mailbox per user with professional email hosting, custom domain support, and calendar tools.

OneDrive: Offers 1 TB of cloud storage per user, allowing access to files from anywhere and enabling easy sharing and collaboration.

SharePoint: Enables teams to create intranet sites for sharing information, documents, and resources securely.

Benefits of Office 365 Business Standard:

Affordability: Office 365 Business Standard offers an affordable way for SMBs to access a comprehensive suite of productivity tools.

Collaboration Tools: Microsoft Teams and SharePoint make collaboration across departments and locations seamless, allowing team members to work together in real time.

Cloud Storage: With 1 TB of OneDrive storage, your business can store, share, and access files from anywhere.

Office 365 Business Standard is ideal for businesses that need access to essential Office apps and collaboration tools but do not require advanced security or device management features.

Use Cases for Office 365 Business Standard:

Companies that prioritize teamwork and need tools like Microsoft Teams and SharePoint to keep projects moving smoothly.

Businesses looking for a professional email solution with generous storage space and custom domain support.

Teams that need to access documents from multiple locations and devices, leveraging the cloud to improve workflow efficiency.

Office 365 Business Premium

Office 365 Business Premium, on the other hand, is designed for businesses that need all the features of Office 365 Business Standard, plus enhanced security and device management tools. This plan is particularly suitable for organizations handling sensitive data and requiring a higher level of control over user access and devices.

Key Features of Office 365 Business Premium:

All Features of Business Standard: Everything included in Office 365 Business Standard, such as Office applications, Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint.

Advanced Security Features: Includes Microsoft Intune for mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM), as well as Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) to guard against phishing, malware, and other cyber threats.

Azure Information Protection (AIP): Helps businesses classify and protect sensitive information with data labeling and encryption, ensuring that sensitive files and emails are protected even when shared externally.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adds an extra layer of security to user accounts, requiring a second form of verification (such as a text message or phone call) before granting access.

Windows Defender: Provides advanced endpoint protection, safeguarding devices against ransomware, viruses, and other security threats.

Benefits of Office 365 Business Premium:

Enhanced Security: With ATP, AIP, and MFA, Office 365 Business Premium offers strong protection against a wide range of cyber threats, helping businesses safeguard sensitive data.

Device Management: Microsoft Intune allows IT administrators to manage and secure devices across the organization, ensuring that both company-owned and personal devices comply with security policies.

Compliance and Data Protection: With built-in tools like Azure Information Protection, businesses can meet regulatory requirements and ensure that confidential information is handled securely.

Office 365 Business Premium is priced higher than the Standard plan, but the additional security and management tools make it a smart investment for businesses that need to protect their data.

Use Cases for Office 365 Business Premium:

Organizations that handle sensitive or regulated data, such as those in healthcare, finance, or legal sectors, and need to comply with strict data protection requirements.

Companies with a distributed workforce that need to secure devices and data across multiple locations.

Businesses are at higher risk of cyberattacks that require robust threat protection and device management capabilities.

Choosing Between Office 365 Business Standard and Business Premium

When deciding between Office 365 Business Standard and Office 365 Business Premium, it’s important to consider your organization’s specific needs in terms of security, collaboration, and data management.

Opt for Office 365 Business Standard if:

Your business prioritizes collaboration and access to Office apps like Word, Excel, and Teams.

You’re looking for a cost-effective solution with cloud-based storage and communication tools.

Your organization does not need advanced security or device management features.

Opt for Office 365 Business Premium if:

Your business handles sensitive data and needs enhanced security features to protect against cyber threats.

You require advanced device management tools to secure mobile devices and ensure compliance.

Your organization is in a regulated industry and needs to meet specific data protection requirements.

Final Thoughts

Both Office 365 Business Standard and Office 365 Business Premium offer powerful tools to help businesses enhance productivity, communication, and security. The decision ultimately comes down to your company’s size, industry, and security needs.

If you are a small to medium-sized business looking for reliable productivity tools and basic cloud services, Office 365 Business Standard is a great option. However, if your business requires advanced security, data protection, and device management capabilities, Office 365 Business Premium provides the additional features needed to ensure your organization’s safety and compliance.

At Cloud Galaxy, we are here to help you choose the right Office 365 plan for your business. Visit our website to learn more about Office 365 Business Standard and Office 365 Business Premium, and how our team can assist you in deploying the solution that best fits your needs.