Before discussing specifics, it’s crucial to comprehend what licensing in Microsoft Teams is. Microsoft Teams is part of many Microsoft 365 and Office 365 services. Thus, Teams licensing usually comes bundled within these offerings. However, specific features and apps within Microsoft Teams may require additional licensing for users to access and use.
In Microsoft Teams, apps can be classified under three types: Microsoft apps, third-party apps, and custom apps. While Microsoft apps are included in the Microsoft Teams license bundle, third-party apps and custom apps can have additional licensing. The developer or the vendor generally provides these licenses.
It means organizations must identify the appropriate licenses needed for the apps they plan on using beyond the ones provided by Microsoft. The extra licensing applies to third-party apps such as Trello, Adobe Creative Cloud, GitHub, or custom-built apps designed specifically for your organization.
Determining Licensing Requirements
The licensing for apps in Microsoft Teams depends primarily on the specific features of the app and what resources it accesses. For instance, an app that performs read-write operations on a SharePoint site may require a SharePoint license along with the Teams license for users.
Microsoft provides healthy documentation and resources to understand the licensing requirement for different Teams’ features and apps. For example, Microsoft’s “Licensing Microsoft Teams” webpage gives a brief overview of different licensing aspects related to Microsoft Teams.
Here is a hypothetical case to illustrate:
A company decides to integrate a project management third-party app, like Asana, into their Microsoft Teams to improve collaboration and task tracking. Asana has its own licensing separate from Teams. Thus, the company should identify the appropriate Asana licenses for its users alongside Microsoft Teams licenses.
Licensing Strategies
When identifying appropriate licensing for apps in Microsoft Teams, organizations should consider a few strategies:
- Understand the role of each app: The first step is to determine what each app does and the resources it accesses. This can provide insights into potential licensing requirements.
- Map app use to teams and users: Knowing which user or team will use which app can help avoid unnecessary licensing costs. For instance, if only one team uses a particular app, licensing may not be required for the entire organization.
- Check with vendors or developers for licensing details: Always ensure to resolve licensing details with the vendors or developers when using third-party or custom apps. They can provide specific information about required licenses.
- Monitor app usage and review licenses regularly: Organizations change, and so do their app use. Regular auditing of app usage and reviewing licenses can help identify areas to reduce licensing costs or where additional licensing may be required.
In conclusion, understanding app licensing in Microsoft Teams is an important aspect for managing Microsoft Teams and for the MS-700 exam. It helps to ensure compliance, budget, and helps to avoid surprises with functionality. Clearly, the concept may seem overwhelming at first glance. Still, with a systematic approach, understanding the usage of each app, and working closely with vendors and developers, you can effectively identify and manage the appropriate licensing requirements for your Teams environment.
Practice Test
True or False: Microsoft Teams apps can be licensed on a per-user basis.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Several Microsoft Teams apps, such as business apps, are licensed based on the number of users.
Which of the following is a licensing consideration when deploying apps in Microsoft Teams?
- a. The number of users
- b. The platform on which the app is deployed
- c. The functionality of the app
- d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above
Explanation: When deploying apps in Microsoft Teams, you need to consider how many users will use the app, the platform on which you’re deploying it, and the app’s functionality. Different licenses may be required for different scenarios.
Can any user add an app to a specific team, even if they are not an owner of the team?
- a. Yes
- b. No
Answer: b. No
Explanation: Only team owners can add an app to a specific team.
True or False: Every app in Microsoft Teams requires a separate license.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Not all apps require a separate license. Some apps can be included with certain office 365 subscriptions.
If an organization decides to custom-build an app for Teams, what type of licensing is required?
- a. Office 365 A3
- b. No additional licensing is required
- c. Power Apps per user plan
- d. None of the above
Answer: b. No additional licensing is required
Explanation: If an organization decides to custom build an app for Teams, they wouldn’t require additional licensing as long as they remain within the usage limits of their current office 365 subscription.
True or False: If you manage Microsoft Teams in an educational institution, you do not need to worry about app licensing.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: App licensing is still required in an educational setting. Certain educational licenses like Office 365 A3 offer additional apps for Teams.
Which of the following apps included in Microsoft Teams require an additional license?
- a. Shifts
- b. Planner
- c. Power BI
- d. All of the above
Answer: c. Power BI
Explanation: While many of the apps within Teams don’t require additional licensing, Power BI is an example of an app that often does require an additional license for usage.
What type of licensing is required if you are using third-party apps within Microsoft Teams?
- a. Office 365 E3
- b. Special licensing procured from the third-party vendor
- c. Power Apps per user plan
- d. None of the above
Answer: b. Special licensing procured from the third-party vendor
Explanation: If you use a third-party app within Teams, you may need to procure a special license from the third-party vendor.
True or False: If an app is licensed through a third-party vendor, Microsoft cannot provide support for it.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: While Microsoft may provide limited support for third-party apps in terms of their integration and usage within Teams, it cannot provide full support for third-party apps.
Who is responsible for assigning licenses for Microsoft Teams apps in an organization?
- a. The app developer
- b. Team owner
- c. IT administrator
- d. Microsoft
Answer: c. IT administrator
Explanation: The IT administrator in any organization is usually responsible for assigning and managing licenses for Microsoft Teams apps.
Interview Questions
What is the baseline license required for using Microsoft Teams?
A Microsoft Teams license comes as part of the Office 365 suite and is automatically included with all Office 365 Business Premium, Business Essentials, F1, A1, E1, A3, and E3 subscriptions.
Do guest users require a Microsoft Teams license to join team meetings or chats?
No, guest users do not require a Microsoft Teams license to join team meetings or chats.
What kind of license is required to integrate Microsoft Teams with other services like SharePoint, OneNote, and Exchange?
Along with the Microsoft Teams license, you must have corresponding service-specific licenses for SharePoint, OneNote, and Exchange to enable integration.
Which licenses are necessary for using communication and collaboration features in Microsoft Teams?
To leverage communication and collaboration features in Teams, a user needs to have an Office 365 or Microsoft 365 suite license.
What is the prerequisite license for deploying Teams meeting room?
The Teams Meeting room requires a Meeting Room license or additional licenses depending on the services deployed.
What type of license is required for Microsoft Teams audio conferencing?
Audio conferencing in Microsoft Teams requires an Office 365 E5 license or an add-on to E1 or E3.
Does Microsoft Teams require a paid subscription?
Microsoft Teams is available for free, but a paid subscription is required to access many advanced features and capabilities.
What kind of license is required for Microsoft Teams live events?
An Office 365 E1, E3, or E5 license or a Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 license is required to create a live event in Microsoft Teams.
What is the licensing requirement for using Microsoft Teams PSTN calling?
PSTN calling in Microsoft Teams requires a Microsoft 365 Business Voice license in addition to your Microsoft Teams license.
Are there any specific licensing requirements to use the Teams app on mobile devices?
No, there are no specific licensing requirements to use the Teams app on mobile devices. All you need is a valid Microsoft Teams license.
Which license is required to use Microsoft Teams for Education?
Microsoft Teams for Education requires an Office 365 A1, A3 or A5 license.
Is there a separate license required for developers to build apps in Microsoft Teams?
No, there is no separate license required for developers to build apps in Teams. However, they must have a valid Microsoft Teams license.
Does the Teams Exploratory license give access to Teams?
Yes, Teams Exploratory license permits users to explore Teams and its functionalities, but it’s limited to certain capabilities.
What type of licenses can a Teams administrator assign?
A Teams administrator can assign any licenses that are related to Teams including Office 365 suite, and add-ons for Teams like Phone System, Audio Conferencing, and Business Voice.
What is the licensing method used for Microsoft Teams?
Microsoft Teams uses the per-user licensing model, where each user account must have a license to use the full capabilities of the Teams service.