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9 min read
In today’s world of hybrid work, evolving security risks and growing compliance demands, small- and medium-sized enterprises need more than just productivity tools from their technology. They need integrated solutions that bring everything together – enabling people to work flexibly, securely and efficiently, without overburdening busy IT teams.
Microsoft 365 Business Premium does exactly that.
Designed for businesses with up to 300 users, Microsoft 365 Business Premium combines familiar apps like Word and Teams with enterprise-grade security features such as Microsoft Defender for Business and Intune. The result is an all-in-one platform that helps growing businesses stay agile, collaborative and protected – no matter how or where they work.
If you’re reviewing your tech stack, tightening your compliance, preparing to enable secure remote work, or planning your next phase of growth, Microsoft 365 Business Premium is worth a serious look.
At its core, Microsoft 365 Business Premium is about giving SMEs all the tools they need to run productively and securely – all within one licence.
Here’s what’s included in an M365 Business Premium subscription:
It’s a powerful combination – ideal for organisations that want to consolidate their tools, reduce risk, and simplify how they manage IT.
For businesses with higher-risk profiles, stricter compliance demands or those who simply want more protection for less, the already robust security features of Business Premium can be enhanced by adding Microsoft 365 E5 Security to the subscription. This optional bolt-on includes advanced threat protection, identity and access management, and endpoint detection and response to keep your devices secure.
If you’re already using Microsoft 365 Business Standard, the jump to Business Premium may seem subtle on paper – but the real-world impact can be significant.
What this actually means for businesses is that, with Microsoft 365 Business Premium, you’re not just working – you’re working securely, from anywhere. You’re not just collaborating – you’re managing access, controlling data, and safeguarding every endpoint in your environment. For businesses without dedicated security teams, these advanced protections can prove invaluable.
If your team is growing, your devices are more dispersed, or more of your clients expect stricter data security, M365 Business Premium is the plan that helps you stay in control.
Compare Microsoft’s different licensing types to find the best plan for your business.
With all the functionality of M365 Business Standard – and the added security and management capability of Microsoft’s enterprise-grade tools – Microsoft 365 Business Premium delivers serious value for SMEs that are ready to level up.
Here are some of the biggest benefits of Microsoft 365 Business Premium for SMEs.
M365 Business Premium protects your people wherever they work – whether that’s in the office, at home, or on the move. Endpoint protection, identity management and cloud-based policies mean your data is secure, without having to lock down your users. And for SMEs that want even more peace of mind, the optional E5 Security add-on ramps up your defences even more.
Paying separate vendors to handle email, security, file sharing and device management is not only costly and cumbersome, it’s a security nightmare. Microsoft 365 Business Premium brings it all together under one predictable licence, reducing both cost and complexity.
With Microsoft Intune, IT teams can set up, secure, and manage devices from a single dashboard. That means you can apply policies remotely, wipe lost or stolen devices, partition sensitive business data, and stay on top of compliance – all without the headache of manual configuration.
Features like Azure Information Protection and Microsoft Purview support your obligations under GDPR and other data regulations. Microsoft 365 Business Premium gives you the tools to classify data, restrict sharing and track usage, so you can manage risk without the need for extra software.
As your business grows, Microsoft 365 Business Premium grows with you. Add new users in minutes, integrate seamlessly with all your other Microsoft services, and unlock deeper functionality without changing platform.
While the list of features is impressive, it’s how these tools can be put to use in the wild that makes Microsoft 365 Business Premium such a great choice.
Here are just a few examples of how growing businesses are making the most of Business Premium:
A mid-sized law firm upgraded from Business Standard to Business Premium to better meet client confidentiality obligations. With Defender for Business, they reduced their exposure to phishing threats, and Azure Information Protection allowed them to tag and restrict access to sensitive case files. Client trust has increased, along with confidence in how their sensitive data is being handled.
A logistics company with warehouse and driver teams was looking for a way to manage mobile devices securely, without needing to invest in separate MDM tools. Microsoft 365 Business Premium’s Intune integration gave them what they needed: it lets them enforce app usage, enable remote wipes, and segment work data from personal use – all while keeping costs manageable for their growing team.
A private healthcare supplier was using multiple disconnected tools and was finding it increasingly difficult to maintain oversight of compliance with sector regulations. By consolidating tools with Business Premium, they reduced licensing sprawl, simplified IT management and improved their response to audits, with built-in reporting tools and information protection.
Whether it’s compliance, flexibility, security or control, M365 Business Premium is helping growing businesses solve real-world challenges in smarter, simpler, more cost-effective ways.
Choosing the right Microsoft 365 Plan is only part of the story. Rolling it out and making it work for your business – securely, smoothly and with measurable ROI – is where BCN comes in.
As a certified Microsoft Solutions Partner with multiple advanced specialisations and loads of experience with M365 migration, we help you go further, faster.
From legacy systems to modern cloud environments, we handle every step of the transition – minimising disruption and preserving your data integrity.
We’ll assess your current environment, match you to the right plan, and guide you through any available funding options to optimise your investment.
Post-migration, we offer end-user training, admin support and managed services to keep your teams protected and productive.
From Microsoft Teams for Business to custom SharePoint development, we tailor every implementation to your needs, industry and growth plans. Your success is at the heart of everything we do.
Yes, and it’s easier than you might expect. BCN can help you manage the transition with minimal impact on users and systems.
Essentially, E3 is designed exclusively for enterprises, offering more compliance, security and management tools. It also includes licensing for more users, scaling infinitely versus Business Premium’s cap of 300 users. For most SMEs, Business Premium delivers everything they need, without the additional complexity or cost of E3.
Absolutely. While E3 may suit businesses with more complex regulatory obligations, Business Premium is a good fit for most SMEs in regulated industries. With features like data classification, encryption and retention policies, it’s a great choice for businesses in legal, healthcare, finance and other regulated sectors.
Yes. If your business needs deeper threat intelligence, enhanced identity protection or compliance features typically required by larger enterprises, you can add Microsoft 365 E5 Security to your M365 Business Premium subscription. It’s a powerful way to extend your defences without switching plans – getting you more protection for less.
Whether you’re upgrading from M365 Business Standard or moving from another provider altogether, we’re here to help you unlock the full potential of Microsoft 365 Business Premium. Book your consultation, or explore our full range of Microsoft 365 services.
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