Microsoft Teams Rooms Basic vs. Pro

Microsoft Teams Rooms Basic vs. Pro: Which License is Right for You?

Microsoft Teams Rooms Basic and Microsoft Teams Rooms Pro are the new licensing options that replace Microsoft Teams Rooms Standard and Microsoft Teams Rooms Premium. But what are the differences between these licenses, and which one should you choose? Let’s take a closer look at the features and benefits of both options.

Teams Rooms Basic License

Microsoft Teams Rooms Basic replaces Teams Rooms Standard and comes pre-installed on certified Teams Rooms devices – it is free. The license cannot be purchased separately, and customers can have up to 25 rooms licensed within their environment. Teams Rooms Basic provides the following features:

• Joining and starting meetings from the room
• Wireless screen sharing
• Meeting controls such as mute/unmute, start/stop video
• Content cameras
• In-room participants and remote participants shown on the same screen

Teams Rooms Basic is a great option for smaller conference rooms and huddle spaces that require basic conferencing capabilities. Already paid for subscriptions of Teams Rooms Standard survive until the end of the subscription term.

Teams Rooms Pro License

The Teams Rooms Pro license is assigned to the Teams Rooms Device and offers more features compared to the Basic license – price depends on country. This license is designed for larger organizations that require advanced management capabilities, including AI-powered device management. Since October 2022, Microsoft uses AI-powered management instead of the formerly used manual labor management for the devices. This allows for a more efficient and streamlined management process. Additional to the management, Teams Rooms Pro offers enhanced collaboration features, such as proximity detection, in-room participant identification, and intelligent muting.

Microsoft Teams Rooms Pro replaces Teams Rooms Premium and offers additional features and capabilities over the basic license. The license is assigned to the Teams Rooms Device and allows for management by Microsoft, including the upcoming AI-powered management. Teams Rooms Pro includes all the features of Teams Rooms Basic, plus:

• In-room participants and remote participants shown on separate screens
• Dual displays
• Ability to add Microsoft Whiteboard to meetings
• Live transcription and translation
• Support for third-party cameras, microphones, and speakers

Teams Rooms Pro is ideal for larger conference rooms and boardrooms that require advanced conferencing capabilities. The added features offer greater flexibility and customization options for your meeting environment.

Comparison Table:

Feature	Teams Rooms Basic	Teams Rooms Pro
Joining and starting meetings	Yes	Yes
Wireless screen sharing	Yes	Yes
Meeting controls	Yes	Yes
Content cameras	Yes	Yes
In-room and remote participants	Same screen	Separate screens
Dual displays	No	Yes
Microsoft Whiteboard	No	Yes
Live transcription and translation	No	Yes
Third-party device support	No	Yes

 

Microsoft Teams Rooms Basic and Pro replace the former Standard and Premium offers

Effective September 1, 2022, Microsoft Teams Rooms Basic and Microsoft Teams Rooms Pro replace the Microsoft Teams Rooms Standard and Microsoft Teams Rooms Premium offers.

Microsoft Teams Rooms allows you to Teams-enable your conference room, creating the ability to easily join a scheduled conference or start an ad hoc meeting. Licensed or unlicensed users do not need to use any license, if the Teams Rooms Device (formerly known as Common Area Communications Device) is licensed.

The Teams Rooms Basic license replaces Teams Rooms Standard. This license cannot be bought separately anymore but is supplied for free alongside a certified Teams Rooms device. A customer can have up to 25 rooms licensed within their environment. Already paid for subscriptions of Teams Rooms Standard survive until the end of the subscription term. Currently there are no transition plans available for customers who want to stop their Teams Rooms Standard license and do not buy new certified Teams Rooms devices.

The Teams Rooms Pro license replaces Teams Rooms Premium. This license is assigned to the Teams Rooms Device and allows you to still get management by Microsoft. However, since October 2022, Microsoft uses AI powered management instead of the formerly used manual labor management for the devices. Additional to the management, Teams Rooms Pro offers more features compared to the Teams Rooms Basic.

 

Teams Rooms devices need Teams Rooms license

Starting September 30, 2023, Teams Rooms devices, including those using Personal Mode as well as the Teams application on Surface Hub and Teams Panels, will be blocked from signing in without a valid Teams Rooms license. This has been previously communicated as the Microsoft Teams Rooms licensing policy enforcement. This means, customers must procure and provision a Teams Rooms Pro or Teams Rooms Basic license to continue service.

 

Teams Rooms Pro Management Portal

The Microsoft Teams Rooms Pro Management Portal is a cloud-based management solution that proactively monitors and updates Microsoft Teams Rooms devices and their peripherals. You can access the portal. To log in, you need to use the same administrator privileges as those used to log in to the Microsoft 365 admin center. Once logged in, you can navigate to Settings > Settings > Roles and then select Managed Service Administrator. Under Managed Service Administrator, select the Assignments tab and then select Add.

Starting July 1, 2023, To log into the Teams Rooms Pro Management Portal, you now need an associated Teams Rooms Pro or legacy Teams Rooms Premium license.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, Microsoft Teams Rooms Basic and Pro offer a range of features and capabilities designed to enhance the conferencing experience in your conference room. While Teams Rooms Basic provides basic conferencing capabilities, Teams Rooms Pro offers advanced features and customization options. The table above provides a comparison of the two licenses to help you choose the best option for your needs.

Did you find this content helpful or do you have any questions? Contact SCHNEIDER IT MANAGEMENT for expert services on your organization’s Microsoft contracts.

 

More information

For the product page of Microsoft Teams Rooms, please visit: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/microsoft-teams-rooms.

For a feature comparison, please visit: https://www.microsoft.com/en-ww/microsoft-teams/microsoft-teams-rooms/compare-rooms-plans.

For software licensing information on Microsoft products, please visit: https://www.schneider.im/software/microsoft/.

For more Microsoft Teams news, go to the news category: https://www.schneider.im/category/microsoft-teams/.

Please contact us should you have any questions or to request a quote.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is Microsoft Teams Rooms, and why is it important?

• Microsoft Teams Rooms is a solution that transforms your conference rooms into collaborative meeting spaces. It enables users to schedule and join meetings effortlessly, enhancing productivity and communication within organizations.

2. What’s the difference between Teams Rooms Basic and Teams Rooms Pro?

• Teams Rooms Basic is designed for smaller meeting spaces and comes pre-installed on certified Teams Rooms devices. It’s free and offers essential meeting capabilities. Teams Rooms Pro, on the other hand, is suitable for larger organizations and provides advanced features, including AI-powered device management and enhanced collaboration tools.

3. Can I purchase Teams Rooms Basic separately?

• No, Teams Rooms Basic cannot be bought separately. It is provided for free alongside certified Teams Rooms devices.

4. How many rooms can I license with Teams Rooms Basic?

• You can license up to 25 rooms within your environment using Teams Rooms Basic.

5. What happens to my existing Teams Rooms Standard subscription?

• Existing subscriptions of Teams Rooms Standard will remain active until the end of their subscription term. There are currently no transition plans for customers who wish to discontinue their Teams Rooms Standard licenses.

6. When will Microsoft switch to AI-powered management for Teams Rooms Pro?

• In October 2022, Microsoft transitioned to AI-powered management for Teams Rooms Pro devices, replacing the manual management process.

7. Can I use third-party devices with Teams Rooms Pro?

• Yes, Teams Rooms Pro supports third-party cameras, microphones, and speakers, offering flexibility in your meeting room setup.

8. What are the benefits of using Microsoft Teams Rooms in my organization?

• Microsoft Teams Rooms enhances collaboration and communication by simplifying meeting scheduling, providing advanced features like wireless screen sharing and intelligent muting, and offering a seamless meeting experience.

9. How do I get expert consultancy on my organization’s Microsoft contracts from SCHNEIDER IT MANAGEMENT?

10. Are there any upcoming changes or updates to Microsoft Teams Rooms licensing?

• While the information provided is current as of the article’s publication, it’s always a good practice to stay updated with Microsoft’s official announcements for any potential changes to licensing or features.