Microsoft 365 Business Premium offers significantly more advanced programming and automation capabilities compared to Microsoft 365 Business Basic, making it a better choice for businesses that require deeper integration, customization, and control over their digital environments. One of the most notable differences lies in access to full desktop versions of Office applications, which enables the use of powerful scripting tools like VBA macros in Excel, Word, and Access—features that are not available in Business Basic, which only provides web-based versions of these apps. While both plans support Office Scripts in Excel for the web, Business Premium allows users to go further by using the full capabilities of desktop Excel for complex automation tasks. Additionally, both plans include access to Power Automate with standard connectors, enabling users to create basic workflows across Microsoft 365 apps; however, for more advanced automation scenarios involving premium connectors or robotic process automation (RPA), additional licensing is still required regardless of the plan.
From an administrative perspective, both Business Basic and Business Premium support PowerShell scripting for user and license management, but Business Premium enhances this with integrated access to Microsoft Intune. Intune provides advanced endpoint management capabilities, including the ability to automate device and application policies using scripts—a feature not included with Business Basic. Moreover, Business Premium provides better support for custom application development and deployment in Microsoft Teams and SharePoint, which can be crucial for organizations looking to extend Microsoft 365 functionality with proprietary tools. While both plans technically allow access to the Microsoft Graph API, the development environment is more favorable in Business Premium due to fewer restrictions and more complete integration with services like Azure Active Directory and Microsoft Endpoint Manager. In summary, Microsoft 365 Business Premium empowers users and administrators alike with robust programming and automation capabilities that go far beyond the lightweight, web-only tools available in Business Basic, making it the preferred option for businesses with more complex IT and development needs.
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