Yes, Microsoft 365 E3 can be combined with other Microsoft 365 plans, allowing businesses to tailor solutions for diverse user needs. Mixing plans helps organizations optimize costs while ensuring employees get the features they need.
Combining Microsoft 365 E3 with Other Plans
Microsoft allows businesses to purchase and assign different licenses to individual users. This flexibility enables organizations to mix and match plans based on specific user roles and requirements.
Benefits of Combining Plans
- Cost Optimization: Assign lower-tier plans, like Microsoft 365 E1, to users with basic requirements and E3 or E5 for advanced needs.
- Scalability: Easily adjust your subscription as your organization grows or user roles change.
- Tailored Features: Customize solutions by combining E3’s robust offerings with E5’s advanced security or compliance features, for example.
Scenarios for Mixing Plans
- Standard and Advanced Users:
- Assign Microsoft 365 E1 for administrative staff with basic email and Office needs.
- Use E3 for power users requiring desktop Office apps and additional security.
- Advanced Compliance and Security:
- Pair E3 with add-ons like the Microsoft 365 E5 Security package for enhanced threat protection and compliance tools.
- Remote or Hybrid Teams:
- Combine E3 for full productivity tools with Microsoft 365 Business Premium for smaller teams with specific needs.
Key Considerations When Mixing Plans
- Licensing Management: Keep track of assigned licenses to ensure compliance and avoid overpaying.
- Add-On Features: Some advanced features, like Azure AD Premium P2, can be added to E3 for a more cost-effective solution than upgrading to E5.
- Compatibility: Verify that any add-ons or apps used across plans are supported.
Final Thoughts
Combining Microsoft 365 E3 with other plans provides flexibility and cost savings for businesses of all sizes. Evaluate user needs and feature requirements to build the best mix of subscriptions.
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I'm Benjamin, a Microsoft 365 Specialist, helping small and large businesses deploy, configure, and secure M365 environments to maximize the benefits of Microsoft tools. With sound expertise in driving cloud adoption, identity and access management (IAM), security monitoring, system reliability, and proactive troubleshooting.