Microsoft 365 bills quietly, month after month, and almost no one revisits what they’re paying for. When we do a licence health check for a local business, we very often find money being spent on seats nobody uses, duplicate licences, or the wrong plan for how the team actually works. Here’s what to look for.
Where the waste usually hides
- Licences for staff who’ve left. Accounts that were never removed keep billing — and stay a security risk.
- The wrong plan. Paying for a premium plan when a cheaper one covers everything you use, or a basic plan that’s missing security features you actually need.
- Duplicate or overlapping tools. Paying separately for something Microsoft 365 already includes (storage, video calls, email security).
- Add-ons nobody turned on. Features you’re licensed for but never set up — so you’re paying without the benefit.
It’s not just about cutting cost
A health check isn’t only about saving money. It’s also the moment to make sure you have the security features you’re entitled to switched on — MFA, email protection, device management — which are often included but left off.
Not-for-profits: don’t miss your discounts
If you’re a registered charity or not-for-profit, Microsoft offers heavily discounted and even free licensing for eligible organisations. Many local NFPs are paying full price simply because no one set up the nonprofit offer. It’s worth checking — the savings can be substantial.
What a check involves
- List every licence you’re paying for and match it to a real, current person.
- Remove or reassign unused seats.
- Right-size each person’s plan to what they actually do.
- Turn on the security features you already own.
- Apply any nonprofit or bundle discounts you qualify for.
Want to know if you’re overpaying — and switch on the protection you’re already entitled to? Book a licence review. We’ll go through it with you and give you a clear before-and-after.