Preparing for Change: Why 2026 Is the Right Time to Reassess Your Microsoft 365 Strategy
Change is a constant in the Microsoft ecosystem and 2026 will be no exception.
Microsoft has announced a series of licensing updates scheduled for July 2026, affecting Microsoft 365, Office 365, Windows, Entra ID and EMS plans. While some details are still being finalised (including local currency adjustments), this early visibility presents something valuable: time to act strategically rather than reactively.
For many organisations, Microsoft licensing isn’t just an IT cost, it underpins productivity, collaboration, security and compliance. Even small pricing changes can significantly impact budgets and long-term planning.
But this isn’t just about cost.
It’s about whether your current licensing model is truly working for you.
Why This Matters Now
Many organisations are still operating on a mix of legacy Office 365, standalone security add-ons, or fragmented licensing structures that have evolved over time.
With pricing changes on the horizon, now is the ideal time to:
- Review current licence usage and entitlement
- Identify underused or duplicated subscriptions
- Consolidate fragmented security and identity tools
- Assess whether your existing plan fully supports hybrid working and modern security requirements
In many cases, organisations discover they’re paying separately for capabilities that are already bundled within Microsoft 365 Business Premium — or that upgrading delivers stronger security at marginal additional cost once add-ons are considered.
Why Microsoft 365 Business Premium Is Increasingly the Smart Standard
As threats evolve and compliance expectations tighten, Business Premium has become the natural baseline for modern organisations.
It includes:
- Advanced security (Microsoft Defender for Business)
- Entra ID (Azure AD) Premium capabilities
- Intune device management
- Conditional Access and identity protection
- Information protection and compliance tools
- Full Office apps and collaboration suite
Rather than layering security and device management onto lower-tier plans, Business Premium brings everything together in one integrated solution — simplifying licensing, reducing risk exposure, and improving cost predictability.
For commercial, frontline and not-for-profit organisations alike, consolidation into Business Premium often strengthens both security posture and financial clarity.
Who Is Affected?
The 2026 updates will impact:
- Commercial organisations
- Frontline worker licences
- Enterprise and per-device licensing
- Not-for-profit tenants (with discount structures remaining in place)
Even where discounts apply, pricing adjustments still reinforce the importance of reviewing licence mix and ensuring you’re on the right plan for your needs.
What We’re Advising Customers to Do Now
Although July 2026 may feel distant, organisations that prepare early gain the greatest flexibility.
We recommend:
- Conducting a full licence and security audit
- Reviewing whether standalone security tools can be consolidated
- Aligning licensing with wider cybersecurity, identity and compliance strategy
- Evaluating whether Microsoft 365 Business Premium provides greater long-term value
- Engaging early in renewal discussions to avoid avoidable uplift
This is less about reacting to price increases and more about strengthening your Microsoft estate before change arrives.
How We Can Help
As a Microsoft partner, we help organisations move beyond simply “renewing what they’ve always had.”
We support customers to:
- Simplify and consolidate licensing
- Strengthen security posture
- Reduce duplicated spend
- Improve device and identity management
- Future-proof Microsoft investment ahead of 2026 changes
For many organisations, upgrading to Microsoft 365 Business Premium isn’t just an upsell — it’s a strategic step toward resilience, compliance and operational efficiency.
We’ll continue to share updates as Microsoft confirms further details, but the most effective time to review your licensing position is now.
If you’d like to understand whether Business Premium is the right move for your organisation ahead of 2026, let’s start that conversation.