Tag Archives: Microsoft 365

Audio Conferencing update

An Audio Conferencing licence enables you to provide a dial-in phone number for Teams meeting attendees, and to dial-out during a meeting to invite other callers into that meeting.

Currently there are two promotions that entitle EA and CSP customers to free Audio Conferencing licences (https://bit.ly/33NIFkN), with both promotions running until 31 December, 2021 (https://bit.ly/3gn1wu8).

However, Microsoft have now announced that over the coming months they will add unlimited dial-in capabilities for Teams meetings for existing Office 365 and Microsoft 365 licences. Find the information towards the bottom of this page: https://bit.ly/3kdqvBg.

Pricing changes for Microsoft 365

Microsoft announce that there will be per user per month price increases for the following products from 1 March, 2022:

  • Office 365 E1 (up to $10 from $8)
  • Office 365 E3 (up to $23 from $20)
  • Office 365 E5 (up to $38 from $35)
  • Microsoft 365 Business Basic (up to $6 from $5)
  • Microsoft 365 Business Premium (up to $22 from $20)
  • Microsoft 365 E3 (up to $36 from $32)

Find the announcement from Microsoft here: https://bit.ly/3kdqvBg.

Azure Virtual Desktop

Microsoft announce that Windows Virtual Desktop is now Azure Virtual Desktop. There are a whole host of new features in preview, as well as a new licensing option. Historically, users licensed with Microsoft 365 E3/E5/F3/Business Premium or Windows 10 E3/E5 or Windows 10 VDA E3/E5 licenses have rights to the service for virtual desktops and apps. Now, there’s a per user option for external users which is a monthly per user price of $5.50 for apps, or $10 for apps + desktops, with a no-cost promotional period from 14 July, 2021 to 31 December, 2021.

Find the announcement here: https://bit.ly/3v4aa56.

Universal Print is generally available

Microsoft announce that Universal Print is generally available.

This is a software-as-a-service printing solution that runs entirely on Microsoft Azure and eliminates the need to maintain traditional on-premises print servers or install printer drivers.

Customers with Windows 10 Enterprise E3 or E5, or Microsoft 365 F3, E3, E5 or Business Premium licences are already licensed for Universal Print, or there are standalone Universal Print licences available.

Each licence includes 5 print jobs per month which are pooled at the tenant level, and if additional capacity is needed there are Add-ons available providing a further 500 print jobs per month.

Find the announcement here: http://bit.ly/30hyRy6, and a useful page on the licensing here: http://bit.ly/38kUiD0.

Microsoft 365 plan comparison document

There’s an updated (March 2021) Microsoft 365 plan comparison document, which is great for seeing which components are included in the different Microsoft 365 offerings.

The document also includes the new pricing for Microsoft 365 F1 (now $2.25 from a previous price of $4 per user per month) and Microsoft F3 (now $8 rather than $10).

Find this updated document here: https://bit.ly/2LG4gqi.

Security and compliance offers for Frontline Workers

Microsoft announce new security and compliance offers for Frontline Workers.

These workers, until recently known as Firstline Workers, are those users who have jobs on the frontline of their businesses and have different technology needs to desk-based users.

Now organizations who have licensed their Frontline Workers with Microsoft 365 F1 or F3 can add separate Microsoft 365 F5 Security and Compliance offers for $8 per user per month each, or a combined license which costs $13 per user per month. These offers are available from 1 February, 2021 and are available through the Enterprise Agreement and CSP partners.

Find the announcement here: http://bit.ly/3p9hQA1.

Microsoft 365 comparison document

If you want to compare the components that are included in the Microsoft 365 and Office 365 plans for Enterprise and Frontline Workers, then there’s an updated comparison document from Microsoft that you’ll find useful. It’s a comprehensive five pages long and you can find it here: https://bit.ly/2LG4gqi.