Hey everyone! I'm looking for some advice regarding Microsoft 365 Business Premium licenses. We are a managed service provider in the UK assisting several small businesses that typically have around 5 to 15 users. A number of these clients find it tough to justify the expense of purchasing Business Premium licenses for each user. We are particularly interested in utilizing Intune and OOBE (Out-of-Box Experience) for device configuration and software deployment. What's the most effective way to achieve this while keeping costs down and staying compliant?
7 Answers
Honestly, even though I can't speak much on Autopilot, the apps included with those licenses can really bring a lot of benefits to any type of business. Getting clients set up with Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Defender can help them save costs on other services they might be paying for unnecessarily. Intune is solid for securing devices, managing app installations, and enforcing policies—all crucial for any business, large or small. Just because they're smaller doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have a robust tech setup. It’s all about showing them the value of what they already have access to.
Consider looking into provisioning packages at OOBE, which can really streamline your setup. They allow you to install apps, set up WiFi networks, create local accounts, and even run scripts. If you plug a USB with a provisioning package into a new Windows device during OOBE, it will automatically execute those settings. This method can give your smaller clients a taste of Intune's capabilities without needing the Business Premium license. It’s a great free tool Microsoft provides!
I recommend checking out "The Bearded Guy" (Jonathan Edwards) on YouTube. He’s a UK MSP who dives deep into MS Business Premium benefits and how to maximize it for your clients. This package gives your customers great security, management capabilities with Intune, and substantial storage options via SharePoint and OneDrive. Even if they don’t use every feature, it’s the best route to building a solid IT foundation and can open up financial opportunities for you both.
I have to say, I can't stand the guy's style, but he does make some solid points.
Consider frontline licenses. They don't include desktop apps, but they can be beneficial at a fraction of the cost compared to Business Premium—around a tenth of the price! Just keep in mind the limitations; frontline licenses aren’t intended for office workers.
That's true, but make sure clients understand those restrictions—they can't be used by standard office users.
If you're looking for a cost-effective solution, just dive in and start learning how to implement these tools!
As someone who also works with MSPs, I strongly believe that Business Premium should be the standard license to offer. It simplifies compliance and policy consistency across all clients' setups. Just a heads up though: if you start using BP features, then every user needs to be licensed accordingly. For a good strategy, I recommend setting up a test environment. Use a decent machine for Windows VMs and familiarize yourself with the setup process so you can roll it out consistently across your clients.
There’s also an a la carte option for licensing if you want to mix and match for different users. It can be quite flexible!
Totally agree! A lot of people overlook PPKG files. Just a tip—keep it straightforward. Don't overcomplicate it, and let your automation tool handle the heavier tasks.