Quick Answer: Before hiring a Microsoft 365 licensing consultant, ask how they recommend licenses, optimize costs, support security, and manage ongoing changes. The best advisors help you choose the right solution for your business—not simply the most expensive one.
Choosing a Microsoft 365 licensing consultant is about more than purchasing subscriptions. A good advisor helps your business control costs, improve security, and make sure employees have the tools they need to be productive.
Here are 10 questions worth asking before you decide.
1. How do you determine the right license for each employee?
Every role is different. Your consultant should recommend licenses based on how employees work—not a one-size-fits-all approach.
2. How often do you review licenses?
Regular reviews help eliminate unused subscriptions, recover licenses from former employees, and identify opportunities to reduce costs.
3. How do you handle onboarding and offboarding?
Ask how they’ll assign, recover, and reallocate licenses as employees join, leave, or change roles.
4. How do licensing decisions affect cybersecurity?
Many Microsoft 365 security features depend on the right license. Your consultant should understand how licensing and security work together.
5. When should a business move to Enterprise licensing?
The answer shouldn’t be based on company size alone. Security, compliance, and business goals all play a role.
6. How do you recommend Microsoft Copilot and other add-ons?
Products like Copilot, Defender, Intune, and Audio Conferencing can add value—but only if they’re a good fit for your business.
7. How do you stay current with Microsoft’s licensing changes?
Microsoft regularly updates plans, pricing, and features. A good advisor keeps up so you don’t have to.
8. How are you compensated?
Understanding whether recommendations are driven by your needs or product sales helps build trust.
9. Can you show examples of helping clients save money?
The best consultants don’t just sell licenses—they help businesses eliminate unnecessary costs.
10. What ongoing support do you provide?
Microsoft 365 licensing isn’t a one-time decision. Ask what happens after the licenses are purchased.
The Most Important Question
If you only ask one question, make it this:
“Can you tell me about a time you recommended that a client not purchase a more expensive Microsoft 365 license?”
A trusted advisor should be comfortable recommending a lower-cost option when it’s the right fit. That’s the difference between someone who sells licenses and someone who’s looking out for your business.
Choose an Advisor, Not Just a Vendor
The right Microsoft 365 licensing partner helps you optimize costs, strengthen security, and adapt as your business grows. At IT Radix, we focus on helping clients get the most value from Microsoft 365—not simply selling more licenses.