Microsoft’s latest pricing update took effect on July 1, and the changes land unevenly. Business Premium held its price, but several lower tier plans saw double digit percentage increases. If your company runs on the basic plans, your next renewal may sting.
Two details worth knowing:
Existing customers keep current pricing until renewal. The new rates apply the next time your subscription renews after July 1. That gives you a window to review before the new numbers hit your invoice.
This is the best excuse you will get to audit your licenses. Almost every business we review is paying for seats nobody uses: former employees, duplicate accounts, or premium plans assigned to people who only read email. Trimming those before renewal often offsets the price increase entirely, and sometimes beats it.
A 20 minute exercise
Pull up your Microsoft 365 admin center and compare active users against paid licenses. If the numbers do not match, you are donating money to Microsoft every month. While you are there, check which plan each person actually needs. The difference between plans is real money at renewal time.
Not sure what you are looking at, or do not have time to dig through it? License cleanup is part of what we do for our managed clients. Book a free consultation and bring your last invoice. We will tell you honestly whether there is money on the table.