Why your business needs Microsoft 365 Business Premium

Your team constantly juggles emails, managing client files, hosting online meetings, and working from various devices. Everything seems fine until an employee clicks on a suspicious email link one day, and suddenly, your files are locked in a ransomware attack. Or you may discover an ex-employee’s login still works, and they’ve been snooping around. Or your team’s devices are so out of sync that half your staff can’t access the tools they need remotely.

Sound familiar?

These challenges are surprisingly common, especially for businesses relying on basic tools. While Microsoft 365 Business Standard offers emails, cloud storage, and Office apps, it doesn’t always protect your business against evolving security threats. That’s where Microsoft 365 Business Premium comes in. Think of it as the VIP version of Business Standard. Yes, it costs a bit more, but it’s designed to tackle the problems that keep business owners awake at night. You’re safeguarded from cyber threats, you can manage devices across your team, the list goes on. Business Premium offers not just tools, but peace of mind.

What does Business Premium License offer?

Already using Microsoft 365 Business Standard? You’re in good company. It provides the essentials: familiar Office apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, professional email hosting, Microsoft Teams for collaboration, and OneDrive for cloud storage. For many businesses, this feels like enough… until it isn’t.

As your business grows, so do the risks and challenges. Cyber attacks are on the rise, and businesses of all sizes are targets. Managing devices across a remote or hybrid workforce can quickly become a headache. Protecting sensitive information becomes crucial. This is where Business Standard starts to show its limits.

Enter Microsoft 365 Business Premium. It’s everything you love about Business Standard but with an extra layer of protection and control. Business Premium is designed for businesses that want to stay one step ahead of today’s digital threats. With Business Premium, your team’s devices are better managed and more secure. Advanced threat protection shields you from phishing emails and ransomware attacks. Sensitive business data is automatically classified and protected, even if it leaves your network. It’s a package built for all businesses, as no business leader can afford to gamble with downtime or their data.

Download your copy here.

What threats do growing businesses face?

Running a growing business comes with its share of challenges. One day, you’re celebrating a new client win or onboarding a new team member. The next, you’re dealing with issues you never thought you’d face – like a suspicious email turning into a ransomware attack, or finding out a former employee’s login is still active months after they left. These risks can sneak up on you as your business gets bigger.

While Microsoft 365 Business Standard is excellent for keeping your team connected and productive, it wasn’t designed to handle some of the threats that businesses face every day. Cyber criminals don’t just target big corporations anymore. Small and medium-sized businesses are often their prime targets because they’re seen as less protected. Business Premium is built to help you minimise these risks.

Imagine you’re hit with a phishing attack. One of your employees clicks on a link in what looks like a legitimate email from a supplier. Instead, malware enters your system. With Business Standard, you’d be left relying on basic security software and hoping for the best. However, those with Business Premium have tools that actively scan for threats across your apps, emails, and devices, detecting and neutralising them before they cause harm. This is done with Microsoft Defender for Business, which, when set up correctly, offers a robust solution for your business.

As your team grows, so does the number of devices accessing your company’s data. Laptops, tablets, smartphones – it can feel like you’re juggling them all. What happens if a device is lost or stolen? Or if an employee downloads an app that compromises your security? With Business Premium, Microsoft Intune gives you complete control. You can set up policies to secure devices, restrict access to sensitive data, and even remotely wipe a device if necessary. It’s like having a virtual IT manager ensuring every device is a safe link in your company’s chain.

Every business has data it can’t afford to lose or share with the wrong people. Client contracts, financial records, or even internal strategies. Business Premium’s Purview Information Protection helps you safeguard this information. It automatically labels sensitive files and emails, restricting who can view or share them. The protections stay in place even if someone forwards an email outside the company.

How does Business 365 Premium help businesses?

Now that you know what Microsoft 365 Business Premium offers, let’s discuss how it works in real-life situations. These scenarios highlight why the extra cost of Business Premium is a wise investment.

Scenario 1: A Suspicious Email Lands in Your Inbox

One of your employees receives an email from what looks like a trusted supplier. It asks them to update payment details, and there’s a link to click. It seems harmless until they click it. Suddenly, malware spreads through your system, locking your files and demanding a ransom. With Business Standard, you might rely on basic security software to handle the attack, which may not be enough. But with Business Premium, Microsoft Defender for Business springs into action. By detecting the threat, isolating the issue or files, and preventing malware from spreading. This advanced protection could save your business from losing money, data, and reputation.

Scenario 2: A Lost Laptop Creates Panic

One of your employees leaves their laptop on a train. It’s bad enough that they’ve lost an expensive piece of hardware, but now you’re worried about the sensitive files on it. What if someone accesses client contracts or your company’s financial records? Business Premium’s Microsoft Intune makes this problem manageable. You can remotely wipe the laptop, erasing all company data so it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. A lost device could quickly become a security breach, which is why this level of control is essential to your business. You can even track the device to see if it’s recovered.

Scenario 3: Managing Access for Ex-Employees

You’ve just had an employee leave the company. A few weeks later, you discover they can still log in to their work email and access files. It’s an unsettling situation. You don’t want ex-employees hanging onto sensitive company information, whether accidental or intentional. Business Premium simplifies this with Conditional Access and advanced identity management tools. You can instantly revoke access to all apps, files, and emails the moment someone leaves your team. It’s a quick, easy way to secure your data and prevent potential misuse.

Scenario 4: Collaboration with Sensitive Information

Your team is working on a confidential project for a client. You need to share files with the client. Still, you’re worried about the information being forwarded or accessed by unauthorised people. Built-in labels let you mark files as sensitive. And with Purview Information Protection, you can restrict who can open, edit, or share them, even if they’re emailed outside your business. The encryption and access controls ensure your information stays protected, no matter where it goes.

Is Microsoft Business Premium worth the investment?

Let’s address the big question: Is Business Premium worth the higher price than Business Standard? The answer lies in understanding what you’re really paying for and how it translates into value for your business.

• An investment in your future
• Efficiency saves money
• The cost of a breach
• The cost of downtime

An Investment in Your Future

As your business grows, the challenges you face will increase, too. Business Premium makes sure you’re ready for all types of growth. It provides the tools to protect your data, manage your team’s devices, and ensure your business is always running at its optimum performance. Think of it as laying a strong foundation. You’re solving today’s problems and preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities.

Efficiency Saves Money

Ever tried managing devices, users, and access manually? It’s a headache. No, it’s more than that; it’s a logistical nightmare, especially as your team grows. Business Premium simplifies this with Microsoft Intune and Conditional Access, saving time and reducing the likelihood of human error. The time your team spends dealing with security or device management issues is time away from serving clients and growing your business. Business Premium automates these processes, letting your team focus on what they do best.

The Cost of a Breach

A data breach will damage more than your finances; it will ruin your reputation. Clients are people, and people work with businesses they trust. One mistake could negate that trust. With Business Premium’s advanced security features, like Microsoft Defender for Business and Purview Information Protection, you’re not just buying software; you’re buying peace of mind. These tools help protect sensitive data, defend against cyber threats, and maintain your hard-earned reputation.

The Cost of Downtime

Imagine your business is hit with a ransomware attack, and your systems are down for days. The cost of that downtime – lost productivity, missed deadlines, and potentially lost clients – could be enormous. Business Premium helps protect you from these situations, minimising disruptions, and allowing your team to remain productive. Yes, it costs more than the Standard license, but compare the cost of the upgrade to the cost of an attack – it’s a no-brainer. It’s a small monthly increase per user, but it’s an investment in keeping your business running smoothly.

The Bottom Line

Microsoft 365 Business Premium is all about adding value. It’s a solution that:

• Protects your business
• Enables productivity
• Grows your confidence

While Business Standard is a solid option, Business Premium takes things further, solving problems before they arise and making sure your business is future-ready. Suppose you’re serious about protecting your data, empowering your team, and staying ahead in a competitive market. In that case, Business Premium is the upgrade your business deserves. It’s not an expense; it’s an investment in your business’s long-term success.

If you’re ready to see the difference that Microsoft 365 Business Premium can make to your business, let’s get started.

Upgrade your business without the hassle

Migrating to a new license can feel like a big task, but the long-term benefits far outweigh the temporary adjustment period.

Of course, if you’d rather have the stress of the upgrade taken out of your hands, we can help you make the move smoothly with minimal disruption and zero headaches. We’ll even implement all the security benefits and show you how to enable efficiencies.

We do all the thinking and heavy lifting, so you don’t have to. Contact our team today to see how we can help.

Or book a call to get started with your transition to Microsoft Business Premium.