Microsoft 365 Business is now available to SMBs
All-in-one package exits beta phase as Redmond brings in LinkedIn data to Outlook

Microsoft 365 Business has now officially left its preview build state and is generally available to all SMB customers.
Redmond's bundle package, which includes Office 365, Windows 10, its suite of mobile platform tools, and all the associated security software, has until now only been available in beta.
The suite was originally pitched as a single solution for businesses of any size, however, a few months ago the company decided to split the offering into two packages - one for enterprise customers, which is already on sale, and this one, tuned for smaller businesses of up to 300 employees.
Microsoft says the package is "purpose-built" for small and medium sized businesses that have yet to develop IT resources but require a collaboration tool.
With Microsoft 365 Business you're essentially getting all the applications, storage, and email services of Office 365, which includes Microsoft's Teams collaboration platform, as well as device management capabilities and added security measures such as Windows Defender.
The business version of the suite has been tweaked in order to support companies that may not necessarily have dedicated IT support services. This includes simplifying the UI and the addition of the Microsoft Admin Console, which allows for the management of security settings, device access, and the installation of Windows 10 and Office 365 from a single window.
Alongside its release, Office 365 is also receiving new features as it expands to 96 new markets. Translation tools for Microsoft Word have been revamped, which now supports 60 languages and can translate sections of text or an entire document, saving the results as a separate document.
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
OneDrive users can now choose whether they want their files stored online or on their disk at anytime with a double click, and the service now also supports 3D objects, allowing users to upload their concept designs without needing a plugin.
Perhaps the biggest change is the integration of LinkedIn data into Outlook, added yesterday, which allows users to view profiles, work history and activity from a person's social feed from within the Outlook inbox.
Main image: Bigstock. Body images: courtesy of Microsoft
Dale Walker is a contributor specializing in cybersecurity, data protection, and IT regulations. He was the former managing editor at ITPro, as well as its sibling sites CloudPro and ChannelPro. He spent a number of years reporting for ITPro from numerous domestic and international events, including IBM, Red Hat, Google, and has been a regular reporter for Microsoft's various yearly showcases, including Ignite.
-
Bigger salaries, more burnout: Is the CISO role in crisis?
In-depth CISOs are more stressed than ever before – but why is this and what can be done?
By Kate O'Flaherty Published
-
Cheap cyber crime kits can be bought on the dark web for less than $25
News Research from NordVPN shows phishing kits are now widely available on the dark web and via messaging apps like Telegram, and are often selling for less than $25.
By Emma Woollacott Published
-
'Digital hide-and-seek': Workers are wasting hundreds of hours a year sourcing the information they need to carry out their role
News Knowledge workers globally are wasting a quarter of their working week tracking down information, new research from Atlassian has revealed.
By George Fitzmaurice Published
-
The race is on for higher ed to adapt: Equity in hyflex learning
WHITEPAPER Fulfil student and faculty needs
By ITPro Published
-
Practical ergonomics guide for education
WHITEPAPER Save energy, focus, and promote overall well-being
By ITPro Published
-
Untethered: How CIOs and CISOs are paving the way for the new hybrid workforce
Whitepaper Effective techniques to transition from exposed legacy infrastructure to an effective zero trust strategy
By ITPro Published
-
Unlocking the power of your digital services
Sponsored Businesses have invested significant cash into technology since COVID-19, but are they really getting their money's worth?
By ITPro Published
-
Delivering fast and secure digital experiences for the modern hybrid workforce
Whitepaper A new approach to digital experience monitoring that can monitor the health of all systems
By ITPro Published
-
Collaboration is the glue that holds your business together
SPONSORED A combination of productivity tools and cloud telephony can enable the best from your workforce
By ITPro Published
-
The future of work and the forgotten workforce
whitepaper How to deploy a mobile-first strategy so no one gets left behind
By ITPro Published