Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 combines the Office applications with cloud productivity, security and device management in a single subscription, and the security half is what distinguishes the business tiers from a plain Office licence.

Business Premium is aimed specifically at small and medium organisations up to 300 users, and Microsoft frames it as one comprehensive solution rather than a bundle: everything for administration, billing and round the clock support in one place, reducing cost and complexity. That consolidation argument is the real one for smaller organisations, since a business without a security team cannot meaningfully operate five separate vendor consoles.

The capabilities break into four areas. Collaboration keeps people productive on site or remotely through Teams and the rest of the suite. Access control gives users secure access to business data and applications while ensuring only authorised personnel reach confidential material. Threat protection defends against phishing, ransomware and data loss. Device management covers Windows, Mac, iOS and Android endpoints connecting to company data, keeping them updated.

Including mobile device management matters more than it appears in a feature list. Most small business data leaks through personal phones and laptops rather than through servers, and managing those endpoints is normally a separate purchase entirely. Microsoft publishes security best practice guidance, a digital threats guide and a cybersecurity playbook alongside the product. Pricing is published per user per month on Microsoft's own plan pages.