License & Subscription Issues

Best Microsoft 365 Device Management Options for Business Basic and Standard

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 868 views

Question details

A 30-person organization currently subscribed to Microsoft 365 Business Basic and Standard needs to implement device management, compliance, Intune, Defender for Endpoint, or Enterprise Mobility and Security (EMS) features.

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Evaluating licensing upgrades or add-ons to enable device management and security for a small business team.
Observed behavior: Seeking the most practical licensing path to integrate Intune, endpoint security, and compliance tools without unnecessary enterprise-level overhead.

Before you start

Before modifying your subscription, review your current Microsoft 365 billing portal to verify how many active Business Basic and Business Standard licenses your organization currently holds.

Solution 1Recommended

Upgrade to Microsoft 365 Business Premium

The most practical and cost-effective method for a small team to gain comprehensive device management and security features.

Microsoft 365 Business Premium is widely considered the best upgrade path for organizations under 300 users. It bundles your existing productivity apps with Microsoft Intune, Microsoft Entra ID Premium P1, and Defender for Business.

Access the Admin Center

Navigate to Upgrades

Go to the 'Billing' section in the left-hand navigation menu and click on 'Your products' or 'Upgrades'.

Select Business Premium

Locate 'Microsoft 365 Business Premium', click 'Upgrade', and follow the prompts to transition your existing Business Basic or Standard licenses.

Configure Device Management

Once the upgrade is complete, access the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center to start configuring Intune policies for your team's devices.

All-in-One Solution: Upgrading to Business Premium eliminates the need to manage multiple disjointed add-on licenses for each user.

Solution 2

Purchase Standalone Intune or EMS E3 Licenses

Ideal if you want to keep your current base plan but need specific device management capabilities.

Solution 3

Transition to Enterprise Plans for EMS E5

Necessary only if your organization strictly requires advanced E5 identity and security features.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add the EMS E5 add-on to Microsoft 365 Business Basic or Standard?

No, EMS E5 cannot be added directly to Microsoft 365 Business Basic or Business Standard. It requires an eligible Enterprise base plan, such as Microsoft 365 E3 or Office 365 E3.

What is the best device management option for a 30-person team?

For small organizations, upgrading to Microsoft 365 Business Premium or adding EMS E3 typically provides the best balance of device management, compliance, and security without the high costs of Enterprise E5 plans.

Does Microsoft 365 Business Premium include Intune?

Yes, Microsoft 365 Business Premium includes comprehensive device management capabilities, natively bundling Microsoft Intune and Microsoft Entra ID Premium P1.

Can I purchase Microsoft Intune as a standalone license?

Yes, you can purchase Microsoft Intune as an individual add-on service through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center and assign it to users on Business Basic or Standard plans.

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