Microsoft 365 Business Standard: What's included and pricing

Brief introduction to Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 Business Standard is a subscription plan for businesses with up to 300 users, bundling the full desktop Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive (1TB), and Exchange at €12.50/user/month. It sits between Business Basic (web-only apps) and Business Premium (which adds advanced security and Intune MDM). Learn more about the full Microsoft 365 suite.

Microsoft 365 Business Standard: What is it?

Microsoft 365 Business Standard has become a fundamental pillar in the contemporary business landscape. This comprehensive suite represents a set of tools that can concretely improve the way companies operate, communicate and grow.

It’s a unified solution that combines a wide range of applications and services to optimize productivity. From classic Office applications such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint, to advanced communication and communication tools such as Teams, Microsoft 365 Business Standard offers everything a company needs to work at its best.

Designed specifically to meet the diverse needs of modern business realities, this package provides users with a series of features designed to simplify daily activities and improve efficiency. From email management to file sharing, from video conferencing to real-time collaboration, Microsoft 365 Business Standard adapts to the different sizes and complexities of businesses.

In addition, this suite represents a real catalyst for collaboration, facilitating communication and teamwork across different platforms. With built-in tools, team members can share information, work on common projects, and make decisions quickly and effectively, regardless of their geographic location.

Microsoft 365 Business Standard: What does it include?

Microsoft 365 Business Standard offers a wide range of features designed to meet the dynamic needs of modern businesses. The suite is divided into several key areas, each with specific tools, to optimize work processes.

Office applications

Outlook: It is the reference point for managing e-mail and the calendar. In addition to offering functionality for sending, receiving and organizing emails, Outlook allows you to schedule appointments, meetings and manage activities.

Word, Excel, and PowerPoint: the trio of most famous applications in the world for creating documents, analyzing data and creating presentations. These apps are renowned for their intuitiveness and the power of their functionality.

OneNote: is a real digital notebook that allows you to collect notes, ideas, images, audio and video in a single space. OneNote is ideal for project management, collaboration, and finding information.

Access and Publisher: available only for PCs, these applications are aimed at users with more specific needs. Access is a powerful tool for creating databases, while Publisher is dedicated to designing professional publications.

Overview of PowerPoint, included in Microsoft 365 Business Standard

Communication and collaboration

Microsoft Teams: is the core of communication and collaboration within Microsoft 365 Business Standard. This platform offers a unified environment for chatting, organizing meetings, making calls, and sharing files. Microsoft Teams, in addition to instant messaging features, allows you to create channels dedicated to specific projects or departments, facilitating communication and collaboration between team members. In addition, the platform supports screen sharing, meeting recording, and integration with other Office applications.

Cloud storage

OneDrive: Microsoft 365 Business Standard includes 1TB of storage for each OneDrive user. This cloud service allows you to save, synchronize and share files from any device. Documents are automatically saved in the cloud, ensuring data is available at any time and place. In addition, OneDrive offers advanced sharing features that allow you to collaborate on files with other users in real time.

Overview of OneDrive, included in Microsoft 365 Business Standard

Email and calendar

Business email: Microsoft 365 Business Standard offers a professional email service, with personalized email addresses and ample storage space. Users can manage emails, create filters and folders, as well as use advanced search tools.

Shared calendars: the shared calendars feature allows you to schedule meetings, appointments and events collaboratively. You can create shared calendars with team members and the entire organization, making it easier to manage commitments and synchronize activities.

Web and mobile app development

Power Apps: this platform allows you to develop apps without writing complex code. You can create custom apps to manage business activities, collect data, and integrate with other applications. Microsoft 365 Business Standard doesn’t include many advanced features for creating custom apps; however, users with a Microsoft 365 Business Standard license still have the option of using a limited version of Power Apps, which allows them to run and create basic apps.

Power Automate: this tool allows you to automate workflows, saving time and reducing errors. You can create workflows to approve documents, synchronize data between different applications, and automate other repetitive tasks.

Security and Management

Advanced security: The suite offers comprehensive protection against cyber threats, thanks to features such as advanced threat protection, malware filtration, and protection against data loss.

Managing users: it is possible to create and manage user accounts in a centralized way, assigning the appropriate permissions and roles.

Compliance

Integration with other apps Microsoft: Microsoft 365 Business Standard easily integrates with other Microsoft applications, such as Dynamics 365, Power B and Azure.

Connectivity with third-party hubs: you can connect Microsoft 365 Business Standard from a wide range of third-party applications, such as CRM accounting tools and much more.

Data analysis

Power BI: this platform allows you to create customized Dashboards and view data in a clear and intuitive way.

Microsoft Teams analysis: it is possible to analyze the use of Microsoft Teams to better understand the methods of collaboration within the company.

Microsoft 365 Business Standard: What are the benefits?

The Business Standard license of Microsoft 365 offers a series of advantages that can improve the way companies operate. Let’s take a look at some of the main benefits in detail.

Better teamwork

Microsoft 365 Business Standard revolutionizes the way teams interact and collaborate.

• Centralized communication: with Microsoft Teams, all forms of communication - chats, calls and meetings - are consolidated in one place, improving collaboration and productivity. It is no longer necessary to switch between applications, thus simplifying the workflow.‍
• Shared workspaces: Teams allows team members to collaborate on documents in real time, ensuring that everyone is always up to date on the latest changes. This favors the cohesion and efficiency of the group.

Optimized business operations

The Microsoft 365 Business Standard application suite simplifies many business processes.

• Integrated Office applications: the perfect integration between World, Excel PowerPoint and other Office applications allows you to work more smoothly and efficiently. It is possible to switch easily from one app to another, sharing information and collaborating on complex projects.‍
• Automated processes: Power Automate is a critical tool for automating repetitive tasks and improving efficiency. Thanks to this application, it is possible to create customized workflows, reduce errors and free up time for activities with higher added value.

SharePoint to manage business documents and create sites such as the intranet

SharePoint is a key component of the Microsoft 365 Business Standard, offering numerous possibilities for information management and internal collaboration.

• Intranet sites: companies can create customized websites on SharePoint to share information, news, resources and documents with employees. This favors internal communication, access to information and the creation of a shared company culture.‍
• Managing documents: SharePoint is a powerless and flexible document management platform, it allows you to organize, store and share files in a secure and accessible way, simplifying searches and ensuring data protection. ‍

Creating a modern business site with SharePoint

Microsoft 365 Business Standard: tips for use

To get the most out of Microsoft 365 Business Standard, it’s essential to make the most of its features. Here are a few suggestions:

Maximize productivity with integrated apps

• Constant use of tools: make full use of the range of Office applications for various activities: from Excel for data analysis to PowerPoint for presentations. Each tool is designed to optimize specific tasks.‍
• Cloud access: take advantage of OneDrive to access and share files from anywhere, ensuring business continuity. Synchronize documents to always have them at hand.‍
• App integration: combines the potential of the different apps. For example, insert Excel charts into Word documents or create PowerPoint presentations based on Excel data.

Collaborate efficiently with Microsoft Teams

• Regular meetings and check-in: Use Teams to schedule and conduct regular meetings and check-ins. Take advantage of video conferencing and screen sharing features.‍
• Specific channels and teams: create channels dedicated to projects or departments to organize conversations and share relevant information.‍
• Using chats: use chats for quick and informal communication, but remember to use channels for group discussions.

Real-time collaboration with Microsoft Teams

Ensure data security and compliance

• Defining data policies: Set and enforce data policies within Microsoft 365 to protect sensitive information. Define who can access what data and what actions can be performed.‍
• Regular reviews: periodically review and update security settings and compliance policies to respond to new threats. Use the security tools built into Microsoft 365.‍
• User training: make employees aware of best security practices, such as the importance of strong passwords, the recognition of phishing emails, and secure data management.

Microsoft 365 Business Standard: price and devices

Microsoft 365 Business Standard offers excellent value for money and flexibility of use, making it ideal for many small and medium-sized businesses. But how much does it cost exactly? What are the limitations in terms of connected devices?

How much does Microsoft 365 Business Standard cost

The price of Microsoft 365 Business Standard may vary slightly depending on current offers and promotions, but in general it is around €11.70 per month per user.

When you sign up for an annual subscription with automatic renewal, this price includes all the functionality of the access suite, from the Office apps to the collaboration features of Teams, to the OneDrive storage space. It’s important to note that this is a monthly cost per user.

So, if your company has 10 employees, the monthly cost will be 117€. However, if you subscribe to an annual subscription, you could benefit from discounts and save on the total cost.

Supported devices in Microsoft 365 Business Standard

One of the most frequently asked questions concerns the number of devices with which you can use Microsoft 365 Business Standard. The answer is pretty simple: you can connect up to 5 devices. This means that each user can install Office apps and access cloud services on up to 5 different devices, which can be PCs, Macs, tablets or smartphones. What does this mean in practice?

• Flexibility: users can work from any device depending on their needs and preferences.‍
• Continuity: information is always synchronized between different devices, ensuring work continuity.

Microsoft 365 Business Standard vs. Business Basic

Microsoft 365 Business Basic is one of the cheapest plans in the Microsoft 365 suite, but is it really good? How does it compare to Microsoft 365 Business Standard, which costs almost twice as much?

Choosing the right plan from the different Microsoft 365 options can be complicated. There are 4 business plans and, in total, 12 Microsoft 365 plans. The fundamental question is: what are your needs and what are the main differences between these two plans?

Business Basic and Standard are the entry plans for Microsoft 365, both affordable in terms of cost but have substantial differences.

Let’s see in detail the most important characteristics:

• Desktop applications: the main difference between the two plans concerns the presence of desktop applications. Microsoft 365 Business Basic doesn’t include installable versions of World, Excel and PowerPoint, Outlook, and the other Office apps. This means that you cannot install them on your computer. However, Business Basic allows you to use web versions of Office applications. The online versions have now become very efficient and most users can work perfectly with Word, Excel and Outlook directly from the browser.‍
• Webinars and additional features: if your company needs to organize webinars, Microsoft 365 Business Standard is the solution you need. Business Basic does not include the ability to conduct webinars through Teams, while all other work and collaboration features remain unchanged.‍ Both Microsoft 365 Business Basic and Business Standard are good solutions for small businesses, but the choice depends on your needs. If you need Office desktop applications or the ability to organize webinars, then Microsoft 365 Business Standard is the best solution. If, on the other hand, your budget is limited and you can work mainly online with web versions of the apps, then Microsoft 365 Business Basic may be sufficient.

Microsoft 365 Business Standard vs. Business Premium

Now that you have a deeper understanding of Microsoft 365, it’s time to take a closer look at the Premium and Standard plans. In general, the Premium plan offers everything that the Standard plan includes, with some additional features. The differences mainly concern the price, the breadth of the services offered and the methods of use.

1. Number of applications

The most obvious difference between the two plans concerns the number of applications available. The Standard plan includes more than 10 applications, including the ability to integrate Copilot, a software that provides suggestions, automates tasks, and can modify files using advanced language models based on your data.

Among the applications included in the Standard plan are:

• Exchange: provides e-mail and calendar management services.‍
• SharePoint: it allows you to store data and facilitate access and sharing between employees.‍
• Clipchamp: allows you to edit and create videos in a simple way.‍
• Loop: allows you to create virtual workspaces where teams can collaborate and integrate their work on a project.‍ The Premium plan, in addition to all the applications listed for the Standard, includes four other applications specifically dedicated to data security and employee access control. It is also possible to integrate with Copilot in this plan.

Overview of Microsoft Loop, included in Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Premium

2. Data security

A crucial aspect to consider when comparing Standard and Premium plans is the level of security offered for file storage and sharing. While the Standard plan offers spam and anti-malware filters, the Premium plan goes further, ensuring data protection with device and endpoint protection features.

Here are the additional data security apps in the Premium plan:

• Intune: allows you to restrict access to corporate data and devices.‍
• Defender: a software that detects and intercepts online attacks, including ransomware.‍
• Enter ID: protects employees and their login credentials.‍
• Information Protection: it allows you to protect, file, label documents and define who within the company can access the data.

3. Price of the subscription

The cost represents a substantial difference between Microsoft 365 Business Standard Premium. For a single user, the monthly cost of Standard is 12.50 euros, while that of Premium is 22 euros. Although the difference is only 9.5 euros per month, it becomes significant with a large number of employees. In addition, it is important to emphasize that Microsoft lists the prices per month, but the contract has an annual term with automatic renewal.

4. Managing users

Both plans, Standard and Premium, offer the ability to manage a maximum of 300 users, with 1TB of cloud space per user and a personalized business email address. However, the Premium plan offers more options for managing employees and their activities within applications. In addition, it provides advanced settings for access and identity control.

Business Standard vs. Business Premium: which one to choose?

Although the Premium plan includes all the features offered by Standard, that doesn’t mean it’s always the best choice. It’s important to consider your budget and the specific needs of your business. If you don’t need to manage users in an advanced way, you could opt for the Standard plan. However, if your company deals with sensitive information, Premium is the most suitable solution.

A hybrid solution

SIf your budget doesn’t allow you to opt for the Premium plan for all employees, you might consider a hybrid solution. In practice, you could only assign the Premium plan to users who need advanced security and management features, such as data managers or system administrators. Other employees may continue to use the Standard plan.

In this way, you could benefit from the advantages of both plans, optimizing costs and ensuring the security of the most sensitive data. remember that users with the Standard plan can still share files with Premium users through OneDrive, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. However, if the files are labeled as sensitive, Standard users will not be able to access them.

Conclusion

Microsoft 365 Business Standard is a complete and flexible solution that offers small and medium-sized businesses all the tools they need to increase productivity, improve collaboration and protect sensitive data.

With a wide range of applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams, this plan allows you to work efficiently from any device and from anywhere. Thanks to its scalability, it adapts perfectly to the needs of growing companies, offering the possibility to add or remove users as needed.

FAQ on Microsoft 365 Business Standard

What is Microsoft 365 Business Standard?‍Microsoft 365 Business Standard is a comprehensive suite designed for small to medium-sized businesses, offering essential Office apps, collaboration tools like Teams, cloud storage with OneDrive, and advanced security features.

What does Microsoft 365 Business Standard include?‍It includes Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Outlook for email, Teams for communication, 1TB of OneDrive storage, and additional tools like SharePoint, Power Automate, and Power Apps.

How does Microsoft 365 Business Standard improve teamwork?‍It centralizes communication with Teams, enabling real-time collaboration on documents, project management via SharePoint, and seamless integration across apps.

What are the security features of Microsoft 365 Business Standard?‍The suite offers advanced threat protection, file encryption, two-factor authentication, and tools for data policy management to secure sensitive business information.

How much does Microsoft 365 Business Standard cost?‍The typical cost is around €11.70 per user per month, with the flexibility to use the service across up to 5 devices per user.

How does Microsoft 365 Business Standard differ from Business Basic?‍Business Standard includes desktop versions of Office apps and supports webinars, unlike Business Basic, which only offers web-based apps.

How does Microsoft 365 Business Standard compare to Business Premium?‍Business Premium includes all features of Business Standard plus advanced security and device management tools like Intune and Defender, suitable for businesses handling sensitive data.

Can Microsoft 365 Business Standard be customized for specific business needs?‍Yes, it integrates with other Microsoft services like Dynamics 365 and third-party applications, allowing businesses to create custom workflows and apps using Power Apps and Power Automate.

What devices are compatible with Microsoft 365 Business Standard?‍It supports installation on up to 5 devices per user, including PCs, Macs, tablets, and smartphones, ensuring flexibility and work continuity across different platforms.