Microsoft has bundled up its core products for businesses for a monthly fee, to encourage companies to upgrade to Windows 10.
Its new offering, Microsoft 365, includes Office 365, Windows 10, and Enterprise Mobility + Security, for a monthly, per-user fee.
By wrapping its products into one package, Microsoft is making it easier for businesses big and small to manage and pay for the software. It also pushes customers to the latest versions of Office and Windows and, as it’s subscription-based, ensures they’ll always have the latest version of software – something Microsoft is keen to encourage among its user base.
There are two main versions of the new package: Microsoft 365 Business, which is for small and medium-sized businesses, and Microsoft 365 Enterprise for larger businesses.
The first caters for businesses with up to 300 users. Alongside Windows, Office and the security tools, the bundle will also include Microsoft’s mileage tracking app, called Mile IQ, and previews of three new SMB-focused apps: Listings, for email marketing; Connections, to help publish your business information online; and Invoicing. It will hit public preview on 2 August and be available in the autumn, at $20 per user each month.
For larger companies, Microsoft 365 Enterprise comes in two versions, E3 and E5, with both available on 1 August. The former comes with Office, Outlook and Exchange, Teams, Skype for Business, SharePoint, Yammer and Microsoft’s threat protection system, as well as analytics and management software. E5 adds further analytics and compliance tools, and Microsoft’s advanced security tools, as well as PSTN Conferencing and Cloud PBX.
There’s no pricing for Microsoft 365 Enterprise as it will be sold via partners, so costs will vary. Windows 10 Enterprise E3, which doesn’t come with Office, currently costs $7 a month.
source: wired.co.uk
