If you’re still on one of the older Microsoft business plans, the time is approaching when you need to consider your switch to one of the new plans. This will happen at your first renewal after 1 October 2015.

Not sure if you’re on an old plan? The old plans are called:

• Small Business
• Small Business Premium
• Midsize Business

When you renew, you’ll switch over to one of the new plans:

• Office 365 Business
• Office 365 Business Essentials
• Office 365 Business Premium

You can see a quick comparison of plans here, or on the Microsoft site for more detailed information.

Here’s the switching process as it currently stands:

You bought your Subscription directly from Office365 website, or from an Advisor Partner

You’ll renew to one of the new plans when your subscription renewal date rolls around. You can use the Switch Plans Wizard without loss of data or any down time for users. The only ones who’ll experience any down time is admins who won’t be able to use the admin centre during the switching process. Microsoft advises you plan your switch at a time when you don’t need the admin centre to make changes.

Multiple Subscriptions

If you have multiple subscriptions across different business plans, from 1^st October you’ll subscribe to just one plan and have all subscriptions within that plan.

For those with a prepaid product Key from a Reseller or Retail Store, you’ll be able to purchase new product keys for the new plans on your renewal date.

No Benefit to Early Switching

Microsoft advises that customers stay as they are until their renewal date after 1^st October, as most customers won’t see any benefit in moving sooner.

If you’re finding it confusing and want some advice about your individual plan and how to change, or how it will affect you, please get in touch.

For more information on Office 365 please visit Office 365