Microsoft 365 Business Standard Vs Premium With Entra P2: Which Is Right For You?

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Navigating the world of Microsoft 365 licensing can be a daunting task, especially when trying to determine the best fit for your business needs. Two popular options, Microsoft 365 Business Standard with Entra P2 and Microsoft 365 Business Premium, offer a robust suite of features, but cater to different requirements and priorities. This article provides an in-depth comparison of these two plans, highlighting their key features, differences, and ideal use cases, to empower you to make an informed decision for your organization.

Understanding the Core Offerings

Before diving into the specifics, let's establish a foundational understanding of each plan. Microsoft 365 Business Standard serves as a comprehensive productivity suite, equipping businesses with essential tools for communication, collaboration, and core business operations. It includes:

  • Core Applications: Access to the familiar Microsoft Office applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more, on desktop, web, and mobile.
  • Cloud Storage: 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage per user for secure file storage and sharing.
  • Collaboration Tools: Microsoft Teams for team collaboration, meetings, and communication.
  • Business-class Email: Professional email hosting with a custom domain name.

Entra P2, on the other hand, is an add-on that significantly enhances the security and identity management capabilities of Business Standard. It brings advanced features like conditional access, identity protection, and privileged identity management, essential for organizations with stringent security requirements.

Microsoft 365 Business Premium builds upon the foundation of Business Standard by incorporating advanced security features and device management capabilities. It essentially bundles the core productivity tools with security enhancements, offering a unified solution. In addition to the features of Business Standard, Business Premium includes:

  • Advanced Security Features: Protection against sophisticated cyber threats with features like Microsoft Defender for Business.
  • Device Management: Intune for managing and securing devices, including mobile devices, accessing company data.
  • Azure Active Directory Premium P1: A subset of Entra ID functionalities, offering identity and access management capabilities.

Key Differences and Feature Breakdown

To make a well-informed choice, it’s crucial to delve into the specific differences between Business Standard plus Entra P2 and Business Premium. While Business Premium offers a bundled approach, Business Standard with Entra P2 provides a more modular option, allowing organizations to tailor their security features to their specific needs.

1. Security and Identity Management

The primary differentiator lies in the realm of security and identity management. Entra P2, when added to Business Standard, delivers a robust suite of features that surpass the security capabilities included in Business Premium. Here's a detailed comparison:

  • Conditional Access: Entra P2 offers granular conditional access policies, allowing you to define access controls based on various factors like user location, device health, and application sensitivity. This level of control is more comprehensive than the conditional access capabilities within Business Premium.
  • Identity Protection: Entra P2 includes advanced identity protection features like risk-based access control, which leverages machine learning to detect and respond to suspicious login attempts.
  • Privileged Identity Management (PIM): A critical feature for organizations with sensitive data, PIM in Entra P2 allows you to manage and monitor access to privileged roles, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to critical resources. This functionality is not available in Business Premium.
  • Microsoft Defender for Business: Business Premium includes Microsoft Defender for Business, a robust endpoint security solution. While Business Standard doesn't include Defender for Business by default, it can be added separately or integrated with third-party security solutions.

In essence, if your organization prioritizes advanced identity management and requires granular control over access policies, Business Standard with Entra P2 offers a more compelling solution. However, if you prefer a streamlined approach with built-in security features, Business Premium is a strong contender.

2. Device Management

Device management is another critical area to consider. Business Premium incorporates Microsoft Intune, a comprehensive mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) solution. Intune allows you to:

  • Manage Devices: Enroll and manage devices (desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets) accessing company data.
  • Enforce Policies: Enforce security policies, such as password requirements, data encryption, and device compliance.
  • Deploy Applications: Deploy applications to managed devices and control application access.
  • Remote Wipe: Remotely wipe data from lost or stolen devices.

Business Standard, even with Entra P2, doesn't natively include Intune. If device management is a priority for your organization, you'll need to consider adding Intune separately to Business Standard or opting for Business Premium. For organizations with a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy or a distributed workforce, Intune’s device management capabilities are invaluable.

3. Cost Considerations

The cost is always a significant factor in any business decision. Business Premium typically comes at a higher per-user cost compared to Business Standard. However, when you factor in the cost of adding Entra P2 and potentially Intune to Business Standard, the price difference might narrow.

It's essential to carefully evaluate your specific needs and budget. If you require the advanced security features of Entra P2 and also need device management capabilities, the combined cost of Business Standard, Entra P2, and Intune might exceed the cost of Business Premium. In such cases, Business Premium could be the more cost-effective option. However, if your primary focus is on robust identity management and you have alternative device management solutions in place, Business Standard with Entra P2 can be a fiscally sound choice.

4. Feature Overlap and Redundancy

It’s important to note that there is some feature overlap between the two plans. For instance, both Business Premium and Entra P2 offer conditional access capabilities, although Entra P2 provides a more granular and advanced implementation. Similarly, Business Premium includes a subset of Azure Active Directory Premium P1 functionalities, which overlaps with some of the features in Entra P2.

Understanding these overlaps is crucial to avoid paying for redundant features. If your organization already has an existing identity management solution or only requires specific Entra P2 features, opting for Business Standard with Entra P2 might be a more efficient approach.

Ideal Use Cases

To further illustrate the distinctions, let's consider some ideal use cases for each plan:

Business Standard with Entra P2

  • Organizations with stringent security requirements: Companies in regulated industries like finance, healthcare, or government often require advanced security and compliance features. Entra P2’s identity protection, conditional access, and privileged identity management capabilities are crucial for meeting these requirements.
  • Businesses with existing device management solutions: If your organization already has a robust device management system in place, you might not need the Intune features included in Business Premium. In this case, Business Standard with Entra P2 offers a cost-effective solution for advanced security without redundant device management capabilities.
  • Organizations needing granular control over access policies: Entra P2’s conditional access policies allow for fine-grained control over access based on various factors. This is particularly beneficial for organizations with complex security needs and specific compliance requirements.

Business Premium

  • Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) seeking a bundled solution: Business Premium provides a comprehensive suite of productivity and security features in a single package. This streamlined approach simplifies IT management and reduces the complexity of managing multiple subscriptions and services.
  • Organizations requiring device management: Intune, included in Business Premium, provides essential device management capabilities for organizations with a mobile workforce or a BYOD policy.
  • Businesses needing a balance of security and productivity: Business Premium offers a strong balance between productivity tools and security features, making it a suitable choice for organizations that need to protect their data without compromising user experience.

Making the Right Choice

Selecting the right Microsoft 365 plan is a strategic decision that should align with your organization's specific needs, priorities, and budget. Here’s a summary to help you in your decision-making process:

  • Prioritize Security: If advanced identity management, granular access control, and identity protection are paramount, Business Standard with Entra P2 is the superior choice.
  • Need Device Management: If mobile device management and application management are essential, Business Premium offers a comprehensive solution with Intune.
  • Consider Cost: Evaluate the total cost of ownership, including the price of each plan and any additional services you might need. Sometimes a bundled solution like Business Premium can be more cost-effective.
  • Assess Complexity: Consider the complexity of managing multiple subscriptions and services. Business Premium provides a streamlined approach, while Business Standard with Entra P2 offers more flexibility but requires more configuration.

By carefully considering these factors and conducting a thorough assessment of your organization's requirements, you can confidently choose the Microsoft 365 plan that best empowers your business to thrive in today's dynamic digital landscape. It is recommended to consult with Microsoft licensing experts or a qualified IT professional to further refine your decision and ensure optimal deployment and management of your chosen plan.

Conclusion

The decision between Microsoft 365 Business Standard plus Entra P2 and Business Premium hinges on a careful evaluation of your organization's specific needs, priorities, and budget. While Business Standard with Entra P2 offers unparalleled security and granular control over access policies, Business Premium provides a comprehensive, bundled solution that includes device management capabilities. By understanding the key differences, ideal use cases, and cost considerations, you can make an informed choice that empowers your business to thrive in today's dynamic digital landscape.