Getting value for money following Microsoft’s 365 price hike

By Seriun

15 Feb 2022

lbv1.png

 

Microsoft will be uplifting the cost of their 365 licences at the beginning of March. The new price structure is sure to cause some confusion and disruption among Microsoft’s customers, so Seriun hosted a workshop to enlighten delegates as to what they could expect following the price increase and how they could get value for their money.

The event was held at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel in Hyndburn and attracted over fifty business owners, senior managers and IT managers from businesses across Lancashire. It opened at 8:30am with networking over breakfast, followed by a series of presentations delivered by Seriun’s operations director Mark Edwards and cyber security engineer Wayne Fulton (as pictured above).

 

 The presentation was split into three clearly defined areas:

Microsoft 365 price uplift and licence changes 365 apps and services overview Microsoft cyber security solutions

Mark kicked off the presentation explaining Microsoft's upcoming licence and pricing changes. Basically, from March 1st, Microsoft are raising the pricing of six of their most popular products for the first time in over five years, including Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Business Premium, Office 365 E1, E3, E5 and Microsoft 365 E3. They have introduced the New Commerce Experience (NCE) platform to buy licences through, and have several options to choose from including monthly, annual and multi-year.

To soften the blow, Microsoft have put a couple of offers on the table, the main one being a 5% discount for annual agreements accompanied by a price lock for an extended period. This will only be available until the beginning of March. All the detail can be found in Seriun's event recording, located on their YouTube channel.

Seriun is making it as easy as possible for their customers to migrate to Microsoft's new pricing structure. Over the coming weeks they will inform customers what licences they have, together with recommendations as to what combination of licences and levels they should opt for to ensure the best value for money without compromising performance or efficiency.

Mark said: "We want to make sure our customers, and businesses in general, are getting the most value for money from the Microsoft tools at their disposal - even more so now that prices are increasing. Microsoft's ecosystem is so well connected - all the apps talk to each other seamlessly, making it really easy for teams to collaborate, share and plan securely and efficiently. It’s our job to make life easier for busy people running successful businesses."

Mark continued by explaining the hierarchy of apps under the Microsoft 365 umbrella, which most have access to as part of their 365 subscriptions. He explored some of the less well used apps that are often overlooked yet are really powerful tools that can help streamline and simplify business processes – increasing efficiency and productivity.

After the interval, Seriun's cyber security expert Wayne Fulton led the concluding segment, focussing on Microsoft's Cyber Security Solutions that are designed to protect business assets and keep Personal Identifiable Information (PII) safe and secure. Wayne covered three main areas: Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Conditional Access and email encryption. He could not stress enough how vital and effective MFA is in preventing cyber crime.

Wayne explained: "Microsoft's Security solutions really add value to any 365 subscription and if included within your licence, should be implemented without further delay. MFA is available to everyone and is the first and most important step in preventing a cyber criminal from gaining access to your business and personal information. If anyone - not just our customers - need help enabling MFA, please don't hesitate in giving me or Matt Whittaker a call and we'd be more than happy to get it up and running for you."

Following the event, Seriun hope their audience left with an informed knowledge of how to better plan their 365 licence structure following Microsoft's upcoming price changes in March. They also hope they now use more of the available 365 apps and put security measures in place as soon as possible like MFA.

Seriun have set a date for their next Seriun Session which will be a live (ethical) hacking demonstration, delivered again by Wayne Fulton. The event will be held on Thursday 28th April, so put the date in your diary and book your place here.

For further details about Microsoft 365 licence and pricing changes, cyber security solutions, or anything business IT related, please call the team on: 01282 500770 or visit the website: www.seriun.co.uk.  

{mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}

Latest news

1

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway Alan McBride Muse Will Town Defence Infrastructure Organisation Jennifer Chard Defence Business Services Cllr Lynn Williams Blackpool Council Garry Bowker Vinci

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway

20 May 2025

2

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities Skiddle cheque presentation to Alder Hey Hospital

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities

20 May 2025

3

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion The site

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion

19 May 2025

4

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing Oliver Webber, Tracy Clavell-Bate and Tim Webber from Barnfield Group with Cllr Phil Riley, second from right, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing

19 May 2025

5

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025 Mark Long

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025

19 May 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May
Freelancer Meet-Up May.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May

society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Liverpool Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-881365363-4862066883-1-original.20241023-085714.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Liverpool Business Expo 2025

Aintree Racecourse , Liverpool , L9 5AS

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29
Artboard 15.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
29 May 2025 - 29 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin