Late last year (2021) Microsoft announced two significant changes to its most popular seat-based subscriptions that are part of Office 365 and Microsoft 365. The first change is the new enforcement of the annual service agreements and the second is a significant price increase.
As a Microsoft Gold Partner, our team of specialists has compiled an easy-to-follow guide to help you navigate the upcoming changes.
Step 1: Evaluate your plans and add-ons
It is a great time to reevaluate your plans and add-ons. Some plans now include add-ons that were previously billed separately. Work with your team to evaluate what features your team uses the most, what features you can remove and what new features you may need to reach your goals this upcoming year. Before locking in your current plan for another year, review the new subscription plans to determine if there’s a better fit that provides access to more features and saves you money.
Step 2: Understanding popular subscription updates
Microsoft annual subscription pricing increases beginning March 1, 2022:
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic (from $5 to $6 per user)
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium (from $20 to $22 per user)
- Office 365 E1 (from $8 to $10 per user)
- Office 365 E3 (from $20 to $23 per user)
- Office 365 E5 (from $35 to $38 per user)
- Microsoft 365 E3 (from $32 to $36 per user)
While subscriptions can still be billed on a monthly basis, annual Microsoft subscriptions can no longer reduce the number of users or cancel the subscription during the annual contract term
Month-to-month subscriptions will be available at a 20% premium (on top of the price increases noted above)
Dial-in conferencing capability for Microsoft Teams will be included for all users at no additional cost. If you currently pay for the $4 per month Audio Conferencing add-on license, you will be able to cancel those license.
There are no changes to pricing for education and consumer products at this time
Step 3: Connect with a specialist
Need additional assistance navigating the upcoming changes? Acumen Technology is your trusted IT partner, and we’re here to help you every step of the way. Contact us today to connect with a dedicated specialist to ensure you’re choosing the right plan for you and your team.
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