Managing and Monitoring Microsoft 365 License Allocations
If identity is the foundation for security in the Microsoft 365 platform, licensing is the entitlement engine that is used to grant identities access to the tools and applications.
Every Microsoft 365 service is tied to a license—whether that’s individual product licenses for Exchange Online or SharePoint Online or bundled offerings such as Microsoft 365 G3 that include multiple services.
In Microsoft terminology, there are a number of key terms to be aware of:
- Licensing plans: In broad terms, a licensing plan is any purchased licensing item. For example, standalone Exchange Online P2 and Microsoft 365 E3 are both examples of licensing plans.
- Services: Also known as service plans, these are the individual services that exist inside of a licensing plan. For example, Exchange Online P2 has a single Exchange Online P2 service plan, while Microsoft 365 E3 has an Exchange Online service plan, a Microsoft...
