Readjusting Microsoft 365 global licensing; Available option for new and existing subscribers
With the recent changes in the European Economic Area EEA), Microsoft has updated the licensing for Microsoft 365, Office 365, and Teams for users outside Europe to ensure compliance and alignment. This starts from April 1, 2024, with the introduction of:
- A new range of commercial Microsoft 365 and Office 365 suites, excluding Teams, in regions beyond the EEA and Switzerland.
- A new standalone Teams solution tailored for Enterprise clients in those areas.
This according to Microsoft is to foster a globally uniformed licensing approach that guarantees clarity for customers, simplifying decision-making and negotiations. In the EEA and Switzerland, customers on current subscriptions that comprises of Microsoft Teams can maintain the existing plans they already are on.
Updates on Enterprise Suite
The launch of the new commercial offerings outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland represents a notable shift. The suites Office 365 E1, Office 365 E3, Office 365 E5, Microsoft 365 E3, and Microsoft 365 E5, all including Teams, will cease to be available to new subscribers globally. An overview of how this may affect customers below:
- Existing subscribers of the suites in question will gain access to new options
They have the flexibility to continue with, renew, upgrade, and expand their current plans as before. Alternatively, if they prefer to transition to the new offerings, they can do so upon their contract’s anniversary or renewal.
- New subscribers to Office/Microsoft 365 Enterprise suites outside the EEA and Switzerland, interested in offering Teams to their end users, are required to acquire two SKUs
These SKUs are one for Microsoft 365 (excluding Teams) or Office 365 (excluding Teams) suite, and another for Microsoft Teams Enterprise. Further details on the updated offerings can be found in the table below:
Updates to Frontline suites
The existing Frontline suites will remain available alongside the new lineup. Customers can opt for the current Microsoft 365 F1, Office 365 F3, and Microsoft 365 F3 suites that include Teams, or they can select the newly introduced versions of these suites that do not feature Teams. For more information on the new lineup, please refer to the table below:
Updates to Microsoft 365 Business suites
Microsoft 365 Business suites will continue to be available alongside the newly introduced lineup. Customers have the option to select from the current offerings – Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Microsoft 365 Business Standard, and Microsoft 365 Business Premium suites, all of which include Teams, or opt for the latest versions that exclude Teams. For detailed information on the new lineup, refer to the table below:
Talk to Microsoft experts about your licensing needs
Our team of experts at Q-Advise can assist you understand how these changes affect your licensing and use of Microsoft 365, Office 365 and Teams. Talk to us let’s examine your license position case specific and guide you with the way forward.
Microsoft licensing continues to get complex each time with an update or new introductions and you don’t want to be caught not complaint. You need not worry about how to carry out your daily operations and still avoid fines because of Microsoft audits. Reach out and let us assist you.
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