Office 365 Business Standard vs. Office 365 Business Premium: Which Plan is Right for Your Business?

In the digital age, businesses of all sizes need robust and reliable productivity tools to enhance their operations and facilitate seamless collaboration. Microsoft’s Office 365 offers a range of plans tailored to meet the diverse needs of organizations. Among these plans, office 365 business standard and Office 365 Business Premium stand out as popular choices. This blog will compare these two plans, helping you determine which is the best fit for your business.

Understanding Office 365 Business Standard

Office 365 Business Standard is designed for small to medium-sized businesses that require comprehensive productivity tools to enhance collaboration and streamline their operations. Here’s what you get with this plan:

Key Features of Office 365 Business Standard

• Office Applications: Access to desktop versions of Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, and Access) for both PC and Mac.
• Web and Mobile Apps: Web versions of Office apps and mobile apps for tablets and smartphones.
• Email and Calendaring: Professional email hosting with a 50 GB mailbox per user and shared calendars.
• OneDrive: 1 TB of OneDrive storage per user for file storage and sharing.
• Microsoft Teams: Collaboration tools, including chat, video conferencing, and file sharing.
• SharePoint: Intranet and team sites for document management and internal communication.
• Business Apps: Access to business apps such as Microsoft Bookings for scheduling and Microsoft Forms for surveys and questionnaires.

Benefits of Office 365 Business Standard

1. Comprehensive Productivity Suite: Office 365 Business Standard provides all essential Office applications, ensuring your team has the tools they need to be productive.
2. Collaboration Tools: With Microsoft Teams and SharePoint, your team can collaborate effectively, whether they are in the office or working remotely.
3. Cloud Storage: OneDrive offers ample storage space for your documents, ensuring they are accessible from anywhere.
4. Scalability: The plan is scalable, making it suitable for growing businesses that need to add more users over time.

Understanding Office 365 Business Premium

Office 365 Business Premium is designed for businesses that require advanced security features and additional management tools. It includes everything in Office 365 Business Standard, plus more. Here’s a closer look at what this plan offers:

Key Features of Office 365 Business Premium

• Advanced Security: Enhanced security features, including advanced threat protection and data loss prevention.
• Device Management: Tools for managing devices, including Microsoft Intune, which allows you to manage mobile devices and apps.
• Office Applications: Desktop versions of Office apps for PC and Mac, plus web and mobile versions.
• Email and Calendaring: Professional email hosting with a 50 GB mailbox per user and shared calendars.
• OneDrive: 1 TB of OneDrive storage per user for file storage and sharing.
• Microsoft Teams: Collaboration tools, including chat, video conferencing, and file sharing.
• SharePoint: Intranet and team sites for document management and internal communication.
• Business Apps: Access to business apps such as Microsoft Bookings, Microsoft Forms, and more.

Benefits of Office 365 Business Premium

1. Enhanced Security: Office 365 business premium offers advanced security features, making it ideal for businesses that handle sensitive data and require robust protection against cyber threats.
2. Device Management: With Microsoft Intune, you can manage and secure mobile devices and applications, ensuring compliance and protecting your business data.
3. Comprehensive Productivity Suite: Like Business Standard, Business Premium provides all essential Office applications.
4. Collaboration Tools: Microsoft Teams and SharePoint facilitate effective collaboration within your team.
5. Cloud Storage: OneDrive offers ample storage space for your documents, ensuring they are accessible from anywhere.

Comparing Office 365 Business Standard and Office 365 Business Premium

Cost

• Office 365 Business Standard: Generally more affordable, making it a cost-effective solution for small to medium-sized businesses.
• Office 365 Business Premium: Slightly more expensive due to the additional security and management features.

Security and Compliance

• Office 365 Business Standard: Provides basic security features suitable for most small to medium-sized businesses.
• Office 365 Business Premium: Offers advanced security and compliance tools, making it ideal for businesses that handle sensitive data or operate in regulated industries.

Device Management

• Office 365 Business Standard: Does not include advanced device management tools.
• Office 365 Business Premium: Includes Microsoft Intune, providing comprehensive device and app management capabilities.

Collaboration and Productivity

Both plans offer robust collaboration and productivity tools, including Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive. The choice between the two will depend on your specific security and management needs.

Which Plan Should You Choose?

Choose Office 365 Business Standard if:

• Your business needs a comprehensive suite of productivity tools without advanced security or device management features.
• You are a small to medium-sized business looking for cost-effective solutions to enhance collaboration and productivity.
• Your business does not handle highly sensitive data or operate in a heavily regulated industry.

Choose Office 365 Business Premium if:

• Your business requires advanced security features to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with industry regulations.
• You need device and app management tools to manage a fleet of mobile devices and ensure data security.
• You are willing to invest in a slightly higher-cost plan for enhanced security and management capabilities.

Conclusion

Choosing the right Office 365 plan for your business depends on your specific needs and priorities. Office 365 Business Standard offers a robust suite of productivity tools ideal for most small to medium-sized businesses, while Office 365 Business Premium provides advanced security and device management features for businesses that require enhanced protection and compliance.

To explore the various Office 365 plans and find the perfect fit for your business, visit Cloud Galaxy. As a trusted Microsoft Office 365 reseller in India, Cloud Galaxy provides expert guidance and support to help you leverage the full potential of Office 365 and drive your business forward.