Microsoft License Optimization and Management

360 Visibility can help you reduce costs by regularly auditing your licenses to identify unused or underutilized subscriptions, rightsizing based on actual usage, and eliminating redundant third-party services that offer features already covered by Microsoft solutions.

Overprovisioned licenses often manifest as multiple licenses assigned to a single user, licenses assigned to inactive users, or licenses that include features not being utilized by your organization. For example, an Exchange only user assigned a Microsoft 365 E5 license. Regular reviews can uncover these inefficiencies.

Unused licenses can be identified through usage reports available in the Microsoft 365 admin center, which show activity levels across different services. 360 Visibility's License Optimization and Management service helps make sense of the report and provide actionable next steps. Unallocated licenses can be tracked by comparing the total number of licenses purchased with those assigned to active users.

Many organizations use third-party services for security, email, storage, or collaboration without realizing that Microsoft 365 already provides these features. By consolidating these services under a single Microsoft 365 license, you can eliminate unnecessary costs and simplify management.

A typical assessment involves gathering data on current license usage, analyzing this data for inefficiencies, making recommendations for reallocation or downgrades, and implementing those changes to reduce costs while maintaining functionality.

It’s recommended to conduct a license optimization review at least annually, or whenever significant organizational changes occur, such as mergers, acquisitions, or shifts in workforce size, to ensure your licenses continue to align with your business needs.

When done correctly, license optimization enhances productivity by ensuring that users have the appropriate tools and features they need without unnecessary clutter or overcomplicated setups. Proper planning and communication are key to avoiding disruptions.

You can start by contacting a trusted Microsoft partner like 360 Visibility to perform a comprehensive license optimization audit. Our experts will help you identify cost-saving opportunities and implement a tailored optimization strategy for your organization.

360 Visibility is a Microsoft Cloud Services Partner with extensive experience in license optimization and management. We hold advanced specializations in Microsoft Business Applications, Modern Work, Security, and Azure Infrastructure. We understand the complexities of Microsoft licensing and are committed to helping businesses maximize their investments while minimizing costs.