Microsoft 365 FundamentalsDescribe Microsoft 365 pricing and supportEasy
A small business with 25 employees is evaluating Microsoft 365. They primarily need cloud-based email, online meetings with screen sharing, and the ability to store and share files securely. They have a limited budget and do not require the full desktop versions of Office applications installed on their devices. Which Microsoft 365 licensing option best meets their needs?
- AMicrosoft 365 Business Standard
- BMicrosoft 365 Business Basic
- CMicrosoft 365 Enterprise E3
- DMicrosoft 365 Apps for business
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Microsoft 365 Business Basic
Microsoft 365 Business Basic offers cloud-based email (Exchange Online), online meetings (Teams), and cloud storage/sharing (OneDrive, SharePoint) at a low cost, without including the installable desktop Office apps, which aligns with the described needs.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This option includes installable desktop Office apps, which are not required and would increase the cost unnecessarily.
- C. This is an enterprise-level plan, significantly more expensive and feature-rich than what a small business with basic needs requires.
- D. This option primarily provides the desktop Office applications and cloud storage, but lacks cloud-based email and online meetings as a core offering.
Microsoft 365 Business Basic
A Microsoft 365 plan designed for small and medium-sized businesses that provides cloud services like email, online meetings, and file storage, but does not include the installable desktop versions of Office apps.
- Cloud-based email (Exchange Online)
- Online meetings and chat (Microsoft Teams)
- Cloud storage (OneDrive for Business, SharePoint)
- Web versions of Office apps
- No installable desktop Office apps
Memory trick: Basic needs, basic plan: cloud, not desktop.