Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 E3 Unattended License available

The Microsoft 365 E3 Unattended License enables the use of Office applications with service or other non-user accounts, as is typical during automation process execution. Microsoft still recommends that automation processes should leverage product APIs like Microsoft Graph when possible. However, this new license can provide a new option for working with productivity data and tools.

For further information, please visit: https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/office/blogs/new-licensing-options-for-microsoft-365-for-unattended-scenarios/

Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 new entry-level for Firstline Workers available

Effective April 1st, 2020, Microsoft introduced a new Microsoft 365 F1 plan. It has a competitive per-user-per-month pricing and replaces the old Microsoft 365 F1 plan, that was renamed into Microsoft 365 F3. Therefore, all users on Microsoft 365 F1 until March 31st, 2020 were moved to Microsoft 365 F3. All loyal and new Microsoft 365 F3 users receive extra value, with extra capabilities, powerful automation capabilities through the Microsoft Power Platform, Microsoft Planner, Microsoft Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS) E3, and advantageous new product terms.

For further information on the announcement of the new entry-level of Microsoft 365 F1 for Firstline Workers, please visit: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/news/m365-firstline-workers.

Microsoft 365, Microsoft Office 365

Microsoft 365 product name changes for small and medium-sized businesses

Microsoft announced that effective April 21st, 2020 the following products for small and medium-sized businesses are renamed. This is a change to the product name only, and there are no pricing or feature changes at this time.

Product name before 2020-04-21 Product name after 2020-04-21
Office 365 Business Essentials Microsoft 365 Business Basic
Office 365 Business Premium Microsoft 365 Business Standard
Microsoft 365 Business Microsoft 365 Business Premium
Office 365 Business and Office 365 ProPlus Microsoft 365 Apps

Where necessary Microsoft will use the “for business” and “for enterprise” labels to distinguish between the two.

For further information on the Microsoft 365 product name changes for small and medium-sized businesses, please visit: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2020/03/30/new-microsoft-365-offerings-small-and-medium-sized-businesses/.

Microsoft 365, Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider

Microsoft 365 Business promotion

Until June 30, 2020 Microsoft is providing a Microsoft 365 Business promotion for eligible customers: 20% off the first year of Microsoft 365 Business subscription (for up to 300 licenses) when purchased through SCHNEIDER IT MANAGEMENT as your Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) Provider.

Offer details:

  • Offer is available in CSP only.
  • Product: Microsoft 365 Business (for up to 300 licenses) with annual commitment.
  • Eligible customers: new or existing customers.
Microsoft 365

Microsoft Windows Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) add-on for Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 available

Microsoft announced that effective December 1, 2019, Microsoft will release Windows Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) add-on for Microsoft 365 E3 and E5.

The VDA add-on allows Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 users to access the Windows Enterprise Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) on dedicated servers when those users don’t have a primary device with a Qualifying Operating System (QOS), for example, Windows Pro.

Microsoft 365, Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection (MDATP) available

Microsoft announced that effective December 1, 2019, Microsoft will offer Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection (MDATP) for non-Windows devices.

Microsoft Defender ATP enables customers to protect their non-Windows devices and detect and respond to advanced attacks while keeping a centralized “single pane of glass” experience. You can avail of MDATP by purchasing one of the following offers:

  • Microsoft 365 E5 (existing).
  • Microsoft 365 E5 Security (existing).
  • New standalone Microsoft Defender ATP for Cross Platform Devices offer, which will be available for purchase only to users with primary non-Windows devices. The user interface brings similar experience to what customers have today on Windows 10 devices.

For more information regarding Microsoft Defender ATP, please visit: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/windows/microsoft-defender-atp?ocid=cx-blog-mmpc

Microsoft 365, Microsoft Office 365

Microsoft Planner available in Microsoft 365 F1 & Office 365 F1

Microsoft Planner has been added to Microsoft 365 F1 and Office 365 F1 commercial and government plans starting at the beginning of October 2019. The Planner functionality is the same as in higher level plans, and there’s no action for a customer to take.

For the full Microsoft announcement, please visit: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Planner-Blog/Planner-is-coming-to-all-F1-commercial-plans-and-government/ba-p/835468.

For more information about Microsoft Planner in general, please visit: https://products.office.com/en-us/business/task-management-software.

Microsoft 365, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows Server

Microsoft FSLogix Licensing

Microsoft announced the public preview of Microsoft Windows Virtual Desktop. Now, all customers can access this service that delivers simplified management, a multi-session Windows 10 experience, optimizations for Office 365 ProPlus, and support for Windows Server Remote Desktop Services (RDS) desktops and apps. With Windows Virtual Desktop, you can deploy and scale your Windows desktops and apps on Azure in minutes and enjoy built-in security.

Continue reading Microsoft FSLogix Licensing →

Microsoft 365, Microsoft Office 365

Microsoft Kaizala available

Microsoft announced the availability of Microsoft Kaizala – a phone number-based, simple and secure work management and mobile messaging app for businesses. Sign-up using just your phone number, so you can chat, coordinate, manage tasks, and more both inside and outside of your organization.

There are two versions of Microsoft Kaizala available – the free Microsoft Kaizala App and Microsoft Kaizala Pro, which adds additional features. Both can be downloaded here, where you find a description of the Kaizala Pro features on the bottom of the page: https://products.office.com/en/business/microsoft-kaizala.

Microsoft Kaizala Pro is included in the following Microsoft licenses:

  • Microsoft Office 365 F1, E1, E3, E5, Business Essentials and Business Premium
  • Microsoft Office 365 Education A3 and A5
  • Microsoft 365 F1, Business, E3, E5
  • Microsoft 365 Education A3 and A5.

According to this announcement, Microsoft Kaizala will become part of Microsoft Teams: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Microsoft-Kaizala-Blog/Microsoft-Kaizala-rolls-out-to-Office-365-customers-globally-and/ba-p/394298.

For an interactive Microsoft Kaizala demo click here: https://kaizalademo.office.com/.

Microsoft 365, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Office 365

Microsoft 365 From SA rights

Microsoft has decided that, contrary to their earlier announcement, they will not now remove the Microsoft Office Professional Plus installation rights that customers are currently entitled to with Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 From SA licenses. In the following announcement, Microsoft confirms that they will retain their “Dual Use” policy: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/news/microsoft365-dual-use-rights-update.

The Microsoft Product Terms for June 2019 reflect this decision. To download the Microsoft Product Terms, please visit: http://www.microsoftvolumelicensing.com/DocumentSearch.aspx?Mode=3&DocumentTypeId=1&.