Microsoft 365 Price Increases: What to Expect

Microsoft 365 Price Increases: What to Expect

As of March 1, 2022, the price for Microsoft 365 is expected to increase significantly. To many users, this comes as little surprise. For some time, Microsoft has offered considerably more value than users are paying for as they make use of the Microsoft suite of programs. The full 365 suite offers a number of features that go far beyond the basics–and so it was only a matter of time before pricing on the Microsoft 365 platform went up. The value that a business receives from the Microsoft 35 site is far larger than the pricing Microsoft has been charging for the suite.

Many business users are, however, already worrying about how the price increase will impact them–and whether it’s really worth it to keep the Microsoft 365 suite. Is it really offering the support and tools they need? Can users get the value they need out of Microsoft 365, even as the price increases? In short: yes.

How Microsoft 365 Pricing Will Increase

Microsoft 365 pricing will go up in several key ways.

• Microsoft Business Basic will go from $5 to $6 per user.
• Microsoft 365 Business Premium will go from $20 to $22 per user.
• Office 365 E1 will go from $8 to $10.
• Office 365 E3 will go from $20 to $23 per user.
• Office 365 E5 will go from $35 to $38 per user.
• Microsoft 365 E3 will go from $32 to $36 per user.

Microsoft notes that the price increase will apply globally, though there will be market adjustments based on specific regions. These pricing increases are intended to help reflect the real value that Microsoft is providing through many of its products. In addition, some of the features offered with the product suite will be increasing, too. For example, users will have unlimited dial-in capabilities for Microsoft Teams, which may help users who are struggling with a less-effective internet connection. The platform also offers more communication and collaboration efforts than ever before and provides heightened security: a must in today’s world, where security threats seem to rise with every passing year.

Educator and Consumer Products

While business pricing on the Microsoft 365 suite of products is going up, educators and private consumers won’t have to worry: for the moment, at least, their pricing is expected to remain consistent. Private users and educators can continue to access the Microsoft 365 suite of products without having to increase the cost they’re already paying for those services.

Microsoft 365: The Value to Users

Are you actually using Microsoft 365 to full advantage, including making use of all of the features and options the suite of services offers? If so, chances are, it’s still well worth the value to your business, even with the relatively minor price increase. You may also find that working with a partner who knows how to implement, secure, and enhance the product can help you take full advantage of every available feature set, which may put you in a better position to manage those services and the cost associated with them.

Note that Microsoft 365 is not a “set it and forget it” product. You don’t just want to install it and then go along without making any changes or altering the platform based on your actual usage. There are a lot of little features that can make a huge difference to your business.

Utilizing Bookings

Bookings, for example, is an incredibly valuable tool that can have a number of benefits to your business. It’s a scheduling tool that automatically integrates with your existing calendar to help your customers book appointments at a time that works for you. This is a great way to interact with new prospects and help draw them in, especially for small businesses who may not have the staff to answer every phone call every time. It’s also a great way for your existing clients to streamline services and appointments.

Making the Most of Forms

With forms, you can collect data and use it for a variety of automation purposes. It can help control the emails you send out internally and externally alike, providing access to a wealth of information that can help your clients feel more connected to the business as a whole. Microsoft 365 offers a number of automation options that can improve your connection to your clients, help build familiarity and brand recognition, and make the most of your tools. If you aren’t utilizing forms, however, you may be missing out on that opportunity.

Power Automate and Power Automate Desktop

These two products alone can save the cost of the subscription in the time savings they can provide by automating day to day tasks and processes. With these platforms, you can quickly transform many of the repetitive tasks that your employees take care of every day into established workflows and automated processes. When you free up employees’ time, taking away simple, monotonous tasks, they can instead spend that time and energy on more practical applications that are ultimately of much greater benefit to the company as a whole. You can automate many of your emails and connections, synchronize files and apps so that information is always current, and get notifications and collect data, all in one easy location.

Are you using Microsoft 365 to full advantage, including making use of all available tools so that you’re making the most of your investment? If you’re struggling to make the most of your application or don’t have the tools you need to ensure that you have everything you need in place, contact us. We can help you learn more about Microsoft 365 and all of its integrations, set up your security to put you in an overall better position, and offer you the tools you need in order to enhance your success. Furthermore, we can help you set up many of those vital automations, which may ultimately help you better connect with your customers and free up employees’ time.