For many businesses, Microsoft 365 is a no-brainer—it powers email, collaboration, cloud storage, and more. But what if you’re quietly overspending on licenses you no longer need?
If you’re not regularly auditing your Microsoft 365 subscriptions, there’s a good chance you’re wasting money.
At Plain English Technology Services, we help businesses simplify their tech stack—and that starts with understanding what you’re paying for.
The Hidden Cost of Overlicensing
Microsoft 365 licenses are subscription-based, and costs can add up quickly:
Microsoft 365 Business Standard: ~$12.50/user/month
Microsoft 365 Business Premium: ~$22/user/month
Microsoft 365 E3: ~$36/user/month
Now imagine 5–10 licenses sitting unused. That’s hundreds (or thousands) of dollars per year going out the door unnecessarily.
A 2022 report by CoreView, which analyzed over 1.6 million Microsoft 365 user accounts, found that 56% of paid licenses were inactive, underutilized, or unassigned
Common Licensing Pitfalls
In our experience working with small and mid-sized businesses, here are a few of the most common issues:
Licenses assigned to former employees
Users assigned higher-tier licenses than necessary
Duplicate accounts across departments
Lack of centralized license management
These problems aren’t just wasteful—they also increase your cybersecurity risk and reduce operational efficiency.
Why a Free Microsoft 365 Licensing Audit Matters
At Plain English Technology Services, we offer a Free Microsoft 365 Licensing Audit to help you:
✅ Identify and remove unused licenses
✅ Right-size license types for each employee
✅ Streamline user management
✅ Improve cost efficiency
✅ Get peace of mind with a clear, actionable report
This isn’t about selling you more services—it’s about giving you visibility and helping you make informed decisions. Because we make I.T. simple.
How Often Should You Audit?
Microsoft recommends reviewing your licensing every 6–12 months—especially if you’ve:
Experienced employee turnover
Changed vendors
Upgraded/downgraded service plans
Grown or downsized your team
If it’s been over a year since your last audit—or you’ve never done one—now’s the perfect time.
Ready to Find Out What You're Really Paying For?
Don’t leave money on the table. Let us take a closer look at your Microsoft 365 environment—for free.
At Plain English Technology Services, we don’t just manage your IT—we help you make smarter business decisions. Let’s optimize your Microsoft 365 licensing together.