Initially introduced in July, Microsoft 365 bundles Office 365 and Windows together in a single subscription for business and enterprise users. The service has been in testing with partners since, but its move to general availability means it is available to all.
The service provides access to access to Office 365 productivity apps, management and security tools, and Windows 10 Pro to businesses at a cost of $20 per user per month. The goal, Microsoft says, is to provide a simple way for smaller businesses to manage its computing needs. From Microsoft:
Microsoft 365 Business is designed to reduce the complexity and costs of managing technology for businesses and their IT partners. It offers simple setup and management, so business owners and their teams can put more of their time and energy toward building their businesses. From a single console, you can quickly set up new employees, configure device security policies, and manage user identity and access, as well as ensure all your people are on the most up-to-date versions of Windows 10 and Office. And the single per-user, per-month subscription streamlines costs and simplifies management.
In addition to pushing Microsoft 365 Business into general availability, Microsoft has also added a trio of new apps to Office 365. Those include:
- Microsoft Connections lets businesses send professional-looking marketing emails that showcase their brand and drive sales.
- Microsoft Listings helps businesses acquire new customers and build their brand by getting their business listed on Facebook, Google, Bing, and Yelp.
- Microsoft Invoicing provides estimate and invoicing tools that help accelerate payment and manage cash flow.
Though it's launching for small and medium businesses today, Microsoft recently announced that Microsoft 365 will be coming to education customers as well. For now, you can learn more about taking advantage of Microsoft 365 Business at Microsoft.
