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Contact your dedicated Account Manager:
John Buttita 
Sales Manager
877-325-3380
johnbut@cdw.com
Tag: Microsoft
Office 365 A1 Plus for education will retire on August 1, 2024
Why is Office 365 A1 Plus being retired?
Microsoft introduced Office 365 A1 Plus to schools in 2015 to ease the provisioning burden for IT in moving users to the cloud. While the intent was to help schools with their transition, it also introduced a level of complexity for our customers that led to many inadvertently becoming non-compliant. Today, Microsoft 365 A3 and A5 licenses are easier to provision, both addressing our customer requirements and removing the need for a transitional program. All existing Office 365 A1 Plus licenses will expire August 1, 2024.
Schools using Office 365 A1 Plus today have options
Schools with Microsoft A3 or A5
Schools who license Microsoft 365 A3 or A5 today can use their student use benefits to deploy A3 or A5 for students at a 40:1 student to faculty ratio. Learn your options for assigning licenses to users.
Schools can purchase additional licenses
Schools can purchase additional Microsoft 365 A3 or A5 licenses for faculty or staff currently not covered under another license. Compare which edition is right for your school.
Schools can leverage Office 365 A1
Schools can leverage Office 365 A1, a free subscription with access to online Office 365 web apps and collaboration and classroom tools.
Discover the benefits of Microsoft 365 A5
Microsoft 365 A5 is for institutions who want a single productivity, communications, and collaboration platform with the most advanced security for learning, teaching, and work. It provides AI-powered services to accelerate learning and productivity in a comprehensive suite that integrates advanced security, analytics tools, and unified communications.
Do you have more questions or need help with your Microsoft licensing? Contact our channel partners today.
John Buttita
CDW Education
Sales Manager
877-325-3380
johnbut@cdw.com
Christine McConnell 
JourneyEd
Senior Account Manager
636-238-5606
cmcconnell@journeyed.com
How Microsoft 365 Education Creates Secure And Productive Learning
December 8, 2023, Trafera
How secure is the data in our schools? In a single breach, cyberattacks–such as the use of ransomware–have the potential to expose sensitive student data and disrupt the very tools that support learning and teaching. The impact can be immediate and the subsequent data theft and network outages can lead to serious disruption to learning and even temporary school closures. In fact, in 2022, there were over 50 schools with reported ransomware attacks, four of which were forced to cancel classes due to ransomware (StateScoop)
These scenarios bring to light the role of cybersecurity in education—as a nonnegotiable measure to ensure learning continues smoothly, day after day.
When it comes to your digital education landscape, your chosen tools and apps can play a big role in fortifying your environment. Take, for instance, the productivity suite your students and teachers use. Everything from email to file storage to spreadsheets are potential entryways for bad actors to obtain private school data. On the bright side, the right apps can act as solid bricks in your fortress walls, keeping hackers out.
Microsoft 365 for Education steps up to this challenge with a promise: to create secure, seamless educational experiences where productivity and protection go hand in hand.
What is Microsoft 365 Education?
It’s common to use Microsoft 365 and Office 365, but there are differences between the two. Office 365 for Education is an application suite that contains familiar app names like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Microsoft 365 Education extends beyond the applications Office 365 with the addition of services and tools like Minecraft Education and security features.
You’ll find Microsoft 365 Education broken down into three tiers – Microsoft 365 A1, Microsoft 365 A3, and Microsoft 365 A5. Each plan is loaded with tools that include both educational and security aspects, giving you the flexibility to choose an option that fits your specific needs.
Microsoft 365 A1
The A1 plan offers a straightforward, no-cost option for eligible students and educators, focusing on the essentials for modern educational workloads. It includes key cloud-managed services, delivering basic tools necessary for a secure and productive learning environment. This plan sets the stage for schools to build a digital foundation that supports everyday learning and teaching activities.
Microsoft 365 A3
Alongside all the benefits of A1, the Microsoft 365 A3 tier introduces full desktop versions of applications like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, offering more tools for creative and complex tasks. The standout feature of A3 is its advanced security and analytics, making it a go-to choice for schools aiming to enhance their digital capabilities while safeguarding against cyber threats.
Microsoft 365 A5
Think of A5 as the all-in-one package, offering the most comprehensive range of features, including streamlined licensing, top-tier security measures, and advanced management tools. Ideal for schools that demand the best in both safety and functionality, A5 is the premier choice for those who want to ensure their technology is not just up-to-date, but ahead of the curve in protecting and empowering their educational community.
For more details on what each tier offers, check out Microsoft’s comparison table.
Contact your dedicated Account Manager:
Tim Peters 
Account Manager
651-209-1098
tim.peters@trafera.com
Empowering Education with Microsoft Tools Series
The Empowering Education with Microsoft Tools Webinar Series is designed to address the evolving landscape of K-12 education technology. In this interactive series, you’ll explore the transformative power of EdTech, including Digital Inking, Windows 11 Accessibility Features, and Learning Accelerators within Microsoft 365 Education.
What to Expect:
- Gain practical knowledge of Microsoft Windows 11-based tools to enhance teaching and learning
- Learn strategies for creating inclusive and efficient learning environments
- Empower your students with cutting-edge technology
- Prepare learners for future educational challenges
Join the CDW Amplified for Education webinar series to learn how to use Microsoft and Windows 11 tools for student success while discovering innovative and effective strategies to reshape your approach to education.
Executive Function and Accessibility for Windows 11
Enhance executive function and self-regulation skills with Windows 11. Features like Accessibility Center, focus mode, Microsoft To-Do, Immersive Reader, search, and Edge browser aid in planning, organizing, task management, and decision-making. Join this session to leverage these tools for improved learning outcomes.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn how to use these powerful tools to work more efficiently and effectively!
- IT professionals will discover how, unlike other operating systems, Windows 11 supports learners’ executive function skills beyond the classroom and into college and career.
- For Educators, this session will show you how to use Windows 11 to enhance your executive function skills and optimize your learning experience.
WEBINAR: Microsoft Licensing for Education
Whether you are curious or confused about the new vNext licensing program from Microsoft we are here to help.
In October of 2017, Microsoft released a new licensing model for education. The vNext (m365) program will be replacing the current Enrollment for Education Solutions (EES) as customers reach the end of their current contract. Microsoft has evolved the core and platform services of the legacy Office 365 Dedicated suite to align with the common service fabric of Office 365. The latest offerings of Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, OneDrive for Business, and Skype for Business Online services for large enterprise customers is referred to as the vNext release family of Office 365.
Please join Christine McConnell and Marcy Rodriguez, from JourneyEd, in this 1-hour interactive webinar designed just for schools, they will provide an in-depth discussion around what has changed and why what has remained the same and how you can take advantage of the new vNext licensing features for Microsoft. JourneyEd is a Microsoft licensing partner and contract holder for ILTPP.
Topics include:
- vNext program overview
- New FTE pricing model
- New Microsoft 365 A3 and A5 bundles
- New enhanced user management
- Enterprise mobile + security
- More student use benefits
- Other available solutions
- Live Q&A
If you have any additional questions or would like to register directly contact Marcy Rodriguez mrodriguez@journeyed.com