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Simplifying Microsoft Licenses: Find Your Perfect Match 

Keeping Microsoft Licenses simple

Let’s Find Your Perfect Microsoft License

At IT Systems, we believe in keeping IT simple. Navigating Microsoft licenses shouldn’t be any different. That’s why we’ve created this blog to help you understand the various options, their pitfalls and perks.

Securing your school 365 days a year with Microsoft Licenses

NCSC Guidelines

In February 2023, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) issued comprehensive guidelines for securing Office 365 environments. These guidelines are crucial for schools, which must provide academic licenses for Microsoft products to their staff and students. Emphasising the importance of protecting sensitive data and ensuring compliance with cybersecurity standards, the NCSC’s recommendations are essential for maintaining a secure digital environment in educational institutions.

Microsoft LicensesFree Version Overview

Office 365 A1 for Faculty

Office 365 A1 for faculty is a free version that offers several essential features for educational institutions. While Office 365 A1 offers a range of web-based tools for free, it lacks the flexibility and storage capacity of paid versions. For those needing desktop applications and more storage, upgrading to an Office 365 A3 license is recommended.

Limited Storage

Storage space is limited, and it is not possible to add additional space to an A1 license.

Web Versions of Office Apps

Includes web versions of Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, OneDrive, and OneNote.

Email Address

Provides a professional email address for faculty members.

No Desktop Versions

Users cannot use or activate installed or desktop versions of any Office products.

Microsoft LicensesPaid Version Overview 

Office 365 A3 for Faculty

The Office 365 A3 plan for faculty offers a comprehensive set of features designed to enhance productivity and security. Here are the key benefits:

Installation Rights

Allows installation of Office apps on up to 5 devices per user, providing flexibility and convenience.

Full Desktop and Web Versions of Apps

Includes both desktop and web versions of Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, OneDrive, and OneNote.

Mailbox

Provides a 100GB mailbox for email storage.

Mailbox Archive

Includes a 1,500GB mailbox archive for extensive email storage needs.

OneDrive Space

Offers 1,000GB of OneDrive storage for files and documents.

Additional Space

Allows for the addition of extra OneDrive storage as needed.

Microsoft LicensesPaid Version Overview 

Microsoft A3 License

The Microsoft 365 A3 license is designed for educational institutions, providing a comprehensive suite of tools and services to support both teaching and learning. This license is available for both students and faculty, with pricing tailored to educational institutions. Here are some key features: 

Office Applications

Includes desktop versions of Office apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access, along with Publisher.

Cloud Services

Offers OneDrive for Business, Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, and Microsoft Teams for collaboration and communication.

Security and Management

Provides advanced security features and management tools, including Intune for Education and Azure Active Directory Premium.

Windows Licenses

Includes subscription licenses for Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 11 Education.


Additional Tools

Access to educational tools like Minecraft: Education Edition, Class Notebook, and Assignments in Teams.

Choosing the right Microsoft licenses is critical for your school

Distinguishing between Office A3 & Microsoft A3

Schools must provide appropriate Microsoft licenses for both staff and students to facilitate a secure and efficient learning environment. Both Office A3 and Microsoft A3 licenses include the installed desktop versions of essential Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Team and OneNote. Users can activate their own installed copy of Office on up to 5 devices, including their home PC, tablet, smartphone, or laptop.
While there are many similarities, there are also significant differences between the Office A3 and Microsoft A3 licenses, primarily revolving around security and compliance.

For more information on choosing between Office A3 and Microsoft A3, please call our team on 061 375 140.

Security and Compliance

Microsoft A3 offers advanced security features and compliance tools that are not available with Office A3. This includes features like Advanced Threat Protection, Data Loss Prevention, and Azure Information Protection.

Windows Licenses

Microsoft A3 includes licenses for Windows 10 and Windows 11 for all devices on your network, providing a comprehensive solution for managing and securing your IT environment.

Management Tools

Microsoft A3 provides additional management tools such as Intune for Education, which allows for easier device management and deployment across your institution.

Cloud Services

Both licenses offer cloud services, but Microsoft A3 includes more advanced features and integrations with services like SharePoint Online and Exchange Online.

Navigating Microsoft Licenses

Oide Guidelines

Oide has produced excellent guidelines on Microsoft Licensing for Schools, helping educational institutions make informed decisions about their individual needs.

We help you make informed decisions on Microsoft Licenses

Ensuring Comprehensive IT Security and Management for your School

Having the appropriate Microsoft licenses is just one part of maintaining a secure and efficient IT environment in your school. Here are additional key considerations:

Up-to-Date Firewall Security Licenses

Ensure that your firewall security licenses are current to protect against external threats.

Compliance Monitoring

Regularly monitor systems for compliance to ensure they are functioning as expected and adhering to security standards.

Regular System Updates

Implement a mechanism to regularly update school systems with the latest security patches and updates. This helps in protecting against vulnerabilities.

Navigating Microsoft licenses like a Pro

Our Final Thoughts

Whether you’re securing Office 365 environments as per NCSC guidelines, exploring free and paid versions of Office 365 for faculty, or distinguishing between Office A3 and Microsoft A3 licenses, making informed decisions is crucial. For more information or assistance, please call our team on 061 375 140 or simply fill out the form below!

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