Can I switch to Microsoft 365 Business Premium later if needed?
Bharath
Microsoft 365
December 16th, 2024
Yes, you can switch to Microsoft 365 Business Premium from Microsoft 365 Business Standard at any time. Microsoft provides a seamless upgrade path to transition to Business Premium, allowing you to retain all your data, configurations, and user accounts while gaining access to additional features such as advanced security, device management, and compliance tools.
Steps to Switch to Microsoft 365 Business Premium
1. Purchase the Business Premium Plan
Steps:
Log in to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
Navigate to Billing > Purchase services.
Search for Microsoft 365 Business Premium.
Select the number of licenses needed and complete the purchase.
2. Assign Business Premium Licenses
Steps:
In the Admin Center, go to Users > Active users.
Select the user(s) you want to upgrade.
Click Licenses and apps and assign the Business Premium license.
Remove the Business Standard license if needed to avoid overlapping charges.
Save changes.
Impact:
Users immediately gain access to Business Premium features, including Microsoft Defender for Office 365, Intune, and enhanced compliance tools.
3. Configure New Features
Microsoft Defender for Office 365:
Set up advanced email threat protection.
Navigate to the Microsoft 365 Security Center to configure Safe Links and Safe Attachments.
Microsoft Intune:
Enable device management to secure endpoints like laptops and mobile devices.
Access Intune through the Endpoint Manager Admin Center.
Compliance and Data Protection:
Navigate to the Microsoft Purview Compliance Center to configure data loss prevention (DLP) and retention policies.
4. Verify and Test New Features
Ensure users can access new Business Premium features without issues.
Test advanced security and management features to confirm proper configuration.
Key Differences Between Business Standard and Business Premium
Feature
Business Standard
Business Premium
Email & Office Apps
Included
Included
OneDrive Storage
1 TB per user
1 TB per user
Microsoft Teams
Full capabilities
Full capabilities
Advanced Security
Basic security features
Microsoft Defender for Office 365
Device Management
Not included
Microsoft Intune for endpoint management
Compliance Tools
Basic capabilities
Advanced compliance with DLP and Azure AD P1
Benefits of Switching to Business Premium
Enhanced security: Protect against sophisticated threats like ransomware and phishing.
Better device management: Use Intune to manage company devices and enforce security policies.
Compliance readiness: Meet industry-specific regulatory requirements with advanced compliance tools.
Scalability: Upgrade licenses as your business grows without impacting existing data or settings.
Need assistance upgrading to Microsoft 365 Business Premium? Medha Cloud provides seamless upgrade services and support to help your business unlock advanced features.
Contact Medha Cloud today for a free consultation!
I’m Bharath, a Microsoft 365 and Azure engineer, helping small businesses make the most of Microsoft tools. As a Microsoft certified engineer, I have experience migrating organizations to Microsoft solutions and offer guidance on cloud-based solutions to optimize business operations.