What Advanced Features Does Microsoft 365 E3 Include That Business Plans Lack?
Microsoft 365 E3 offers advanced features not included in the Business plans. These include enhanced security, compliance tools, and greater control over user access and data.
Understanding Microsoft 365 E3 and Business Plans
Microsoft 365 offers different tiers to meet the needs of various organizations. The Business plans are designed for smaller organizations, while the Enterprise plans, such as Microsoft 365 E3, cater to larger businesses with more complex requirements.
While both plans provide core tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams, Microsoft 365 E3 includes several advanced features designed for larger businesses that need more control, security, and compliance options. Here’s a breakdown of what Microsoft 365 E3 offers that Business plans do not:
Key Features Exclusive to Microsoft 365 E3
1. Advanced Security and Compliance Tools
- Microsoft Defender for Office 365: E3 plans include advanced threat protection for email and collaboration tools.
- Advanced Data Loss Prevention (DLP): More robust tools to prevent data leaks across emails, documents, and chat.
- Information Protection: Enhanced encryption and rights management capabilities for sensitive data.
- Compliance Manager: Tools to help meet regulatory compliance standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).
2. Enterprise-Grade User and Device Management
- Azure Active Directory Premium P1: This feature provides advanced identity and access management, such as conditional access and multi-factor authentication (MFA).
- Windows Autopilot: Streamlines device deployment and management, which is unavailable in Business plans.
- Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS): Offers additional tools for mobile device and application management.
3. Increased Cloud Storage
- OneDrive for Business: E3 users get 1TB of storage per user by default, with the ability to increase that limit, while Business plans start with 1TB and may have storage restrictions.
4. Power BI Pro
- The E3 plan includes Power BI Pro, allowing users to access advanced data analytics and visualization tools, which are not available in the Business plans.
5. Advanced Microsoft Teams Features
- E3 plans provide additional Teams capabilities, such as live event hosting for up to 10,000 participants, which isn’t available with Business plans.
6. Legal Hold and Archiving
- Litigation Hold: Ensures that emails cannot be deleted for legal or compliance reasons, a feature exclusive to E3.
- Advanced Archiving and Retention Policies: Helps businesses preserve data for longer periods in compliance with regulations.
Comparing Microsoft 365 E3 and Business Plans
| Feature | Microsoft 365 E3 | Microsoft 365 Business Plans |
|---|---|---|
| Storage per User | 1TB with flexibility | 1TB (may be limited) |
| Data Loss Prevention | Advanced DLP tools | Basic DLP tools |
| Security Features | Advanced threat protection, MFA | Basic security features |
| Compliance Manager | Yes | No |
| Azure Active Directory | Premium P1 | Basic |
| Microsoft Teams | Live events, enterprise features | Basic Teams capabilities |
| Power BI Pro | Included | Not included |
Conclusion
Microsoft 365 E3 is tailored for enterprises needing more advanced security, compliance tools, and management capabilities. These features provide greater flexibility and control over data and user access, as well as enhanced tools for analytics and collaboration. For businesses looking for more than what the Business plans offer, E3 provides a robust, scalable solution.
Are you ready to unlock the full potential of Microsoft 365 E3?
Medha Cloud offers expert support and consulting services to help you transition to or optimize your Microsoft 365 E3 environment.