SOHO and SMB Cloud Storage Recommendations
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@Carnival-Boy said:
@scottalanmiller said:
Are you saying that Microsoft is only "wrong" because of the exact number of users in question and not because of the general theory?
I have no opinion on what Microsoft are doing. I don't think they're wrong or right. They're the marketing experts. All I am pointing out is that whilst it is common for software houses to offer special products or pricing for less than 10 users, Microsoft is unusual in doing a similar thing for 300 users. Not wrong, not right, just unusual.
Indeed, this is a relatively recent thing. They initially had Small Business which was for up to 25 users, and Enterprise which was for everyone else. They then introduced Mid-Size, which was for between 25 and 300 (and I didn't get this either, at the time). They then effectively merged Small Business and Mid-Size and ended up with the 300 limit. I am sure this will be revamped again in due course.
SBS was capped at 75 users, not 25. They did come out with a product (is it Essentials?) that's capped at 25 now?
While I liked the idea of the Mid-sized software, ultimately the limitations weren't worth the cost savings. -
Not sure of the Essentials cap. Foundation is capped at 15, I believe.
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@Dashrender said:
@Carnival-Boy said:
Indeed, this is a relatively recent thing. They initially had Small Business which was for up to 25 users, and Enterprise which was for everyone else. They then introduced Mid-Size, which was for between 25 and 300 (and I didn't get this either, at the time). They then effectively merged Small Business and Mid-Size and ended up with the 300 limit. I am sure this will be revamped again in due course.
SBS was capped at 75 users, not 25. They did come out with a product (is it Essentials?) that's capped at 25 now?
I think it was originally called Small Business Essentials, but they they renamed it to just Small Business (there was also a Small Business Premium). It was capped at 25.
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@Carnival-Boy said:
@Dashrender said:
@Carnival-Boy said:
Indeed, this is a relatively recent thing. They initially had Small Business which was for up to 25 users, and Enterprise which was for everyone else. They then introduced Mid-Size, which was for between 25 and 300 (and I didn't get this either, at the time). They then effectively merged Small Business and Mid-Size and ended up with the 300 limit. I am sure this will be revamped again in due course.
SBS was capped at 75 users, not 25. They did come out with a product (is it Essentials?) that's capped at 25 now?
I think it was originally called Small Business Essentials, but they they renamed it to just Small Business (there was also a Small Business Premium). It was capped at 25.
Aww.. I was referring to server products, not O365.. my bad.
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In case anyone wonders what is added when you move from the midsize plan to the enterprise plan, you get MS Access (including hosting for it), Video Hosting (like Corporate YouTube), monthly rather than annual payment plans, plus these things:
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For us the additional features of O365 E3 over O365 Small Business Premium don't mean anything. We'd solely be buying a different level because they required it.
We run different than most business we don't push out technology just because we can or because we have it (doesn't matter if free or paid for) it has to have a valid business reason. Otherwise we are wasting time installing it, managing it and troubleshooting it for no gain. We have Yammer now but don't use it. We would not push out Lync/Skype, Access. Etc. We already have sharepoint internally and would not be moving it to o365. This is why we are going to just get Exchange Hosted Plan 2.
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I currently have a small business plan for myself. I wanted a bit of experience with it - but really, once it's setup, unless I want to mess around with Sharepoint, there isn't anything much to it.
I can't see the point in upgrading to an E1 account, the added things Scott mentioned aren't things I need.
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@Dashrender said:
I can't see the point in upgrading to an E1 account, the added things Scott mentioned aren't things I need.
E1 would be less (and cheaper.) People are discussing E3 here (there is no E2, I checked.)
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Isn't E1 $8/month? I currently pay $5/month
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@Dashrender said:
Isn't E1 $8/month? I currently pay $5/month
Oh, you have that plan? What are you getting that is better than the $4 enterprise plan?
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@scottalanmiller said:
@Dashrender said:
Isn't E1 $8/month? I currently pay $5/month
Oh, you have that plan? What are you getting that is better than the $4 enterprise plan?
I don't know... I'll have to look later.
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I mentioned about box.com in one of my previous post, and would like add some details about it here.
If you are just planning to mimic your existing file server (i know there are arguments about doing it on a better way, add metadata etc) but if time is a factor and you need to do it soon, i would strongly recommend box.com.
Few features i really liked on box:
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Unlimited storage
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Invite external collaborators to work on files & folders (note that the regular business plan $17/month will calculate each external user as 1 license. But if you go to the next plan Business + plan, then external users are not calculated on your license count.
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Out of the box reporting on who viewed, downloaded, delete, edit etc
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AD integration & Single Sign on
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Desktop and mobile clients (Windows, MAC, iOS, Android, Windows and even BB!
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Direct integration with outlook by which you can attach a file from your Box to outlook and it will add as a link, so less attachments, same way you can attach a file directly from outlook to box and get a link on email to send. This for now is only available for Windows MS office
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A new note tool called Box notes can be used if you want co-authoring on documents and has features like to-do list, image attachments, enter tables etc
And a lot more! I sound like a box rep now
but excited about this and we are almost confirming this against SP online for our file server migration. -
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@scottalanmiller said:
@Dashrender said:
Isn't E1 $8/month? I currently pay $5/month
Oh, you have that plan? What are you getting that is better than the $4 enterprise plan?
Are you talking about the $4/month email only plan?
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@Dashrender said:
@scottalanmiller said:
@Dashrender said:
Isn't E1 $8/month? I currently pay $5/month
Oh, you have that plan? What are you getting that is better than the $4 enterprise plan?
Are you talking about the $4/month email only plan?
Correct. It is the entry level member of the enterprise family.
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I really do want to try the other features of the full or at least small business version.
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@Dashrender said:
I really do want to try the other features of the full or at least small business version.
What features does it include?
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Sharepoint, OneDrive for Business, Office online apps
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Oh, online apps but no desktop versions?
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adding desktop raises the price from $5 to $12.50
