19 March 2025

Time to get smarter with Microsoft 365

Olga Isakova

Business Applications Product Manager

From solving resource challenges to driving productivity, why now’s the time to take Microsoft 365 to the next level

Unlocking the full potential of Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 is packed with powerful tools that can transform the way businesses operate. Yet, many organisations aren’t making the most of it. Without the right know-how, employees often don’t fully utilise the features designed to improve productivity.

A recent Gartner survey found that fewer than 10% of organisations feel they are getting maximum value from their Microsoft 365 investment, meaning 90% aren’t. The main culprits? Governance issues, slow business adoption, and lack of support.

Then there’s the cost factor. Many businesses end up paying for under or unused services, meaning they’re not seeing a strong return on investment. Finding the right licences for different users is no easy task without expert guidance, with many companies overspending on subscriptions they don’t really need.

So, what’s the solution? Let’s explore how businesses can overcome Microsoft 365 adoption challenges and why partnering with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) could be the game-changer they need.

The hidden costs of poor licence management

Mismanaged licences can lead to wasted resources, unnecessary expenses, and frustrated employees. Common struggles include:

Inactive, oversized, or unassigned licences – businesses often pay for more than they use
Complex licensing options – making it tricky to determine the right fit for each user
Tracking licence updates and renewals – staying on top of changes can be a challenge

Gartner reports that just 9% of businesses with Microsoft 365 E5 licences feel they’re getting their money’s worth. Without a clear strategy for licence optimisation, businesses risk overspending with little benefit.

Right-sizing licences for maximum efficiency

A Managed Microsoft 365 service helps businesses take control of their licence management by:

Identifying the right licence levels for each user, ensuring no one is under or over-provisioned
Navigating complex licensing agreements to cut costs and remove unnecessary spend
Managing user onboarding and offboarding to prevent paying for inactive accounts

With expert oversight, businesses can make sure they’re only paying for what they actually use, maximising efficiency and cutting costs.

Long-term cost-cutting strategies

Beyond licences, working with an MSP can lead to major cost savings in the long run:

Lower infrastructure costs – a cloud-first approach reduces reliance on costly on-premise IT
Predictable monthly costs – with structured pricing, businesses can avoid unexpected IT expenses
Increased productivity – employees get expert support, reducing downtime and inefficiencies
Specialist expertise on demand – access to experienced professionals for troubleshooting, best practices, and continuous improvement
Scalability – adjust resources as needed without overspending on unnecessary IT commitments

Common deployment challenges – and how to overcome them

Rolling out Microsoft 365 isn’t always straightforward. IT teams often face:

Complex data migrations from legacy systems
Security and compliance concerns around data loss and governance
Integration challenges with existing business applications
Ongoing maintenance struggles, leading to disruption and hidden costs

Making the transition seamless

By working with an MSP, businesses can ensure a smooth deployment process, with:

Detailed migration planning to prevent data loss and minimise downtime
Customised document libraries and collaboration sites tailored to business workflows
Automated approval workflows to streamline internal processes
Integration with existing systems for real-time data synchronisation

By eliminating manual processes and ensuring information stays up to date across platforms, an MSP helps businesses fully realise the benefits of Microsoft 365.

Managing Change for Successful Adoption

Rolling out new technology is one thing, getting employees to embrace it is another. Resistance to change is a common challenge, making effective change management essential.

Claranet’s Change Management as a Service (CMaaS) model has helped businesses like Altri transition to a digital-first workplace. Through structured training, engagement, and hands-on support, employees feel confident using Microsoft 365’s full capabilities.

Why choose Claranet?

With nearly three decades of IT expertise, Claranet is a trusted partner for organisations looking to maximise their Microsoft 365 investment, with:

140 certified Microsoft engineers and 150 cybersecurity experts
10,000+ business customers across multiple industries
End-to-end Microsoft 365 support, including:
- Adoption and Change Management tailored to business needs
- Subscription guidance and licence provisioning for cost efficiency
- 24/7 assistance and administration services to keep operations running smoothly
- Scalable MSP Shared Services to future-proof IT strategies

Ready to get more from Microsoft 365?

Hybrid work and digital transformation aren’t just about technology, they’re about people, productivity, and performance. With the right Microsoft 365 strategy and expert support, businesses can create a workplace that’s modern, secure, and future-ready.

Our Managed Services help businesses: