# Integrating Microsoft 365 with Customer Engagement Apps

**Role of the Microsoft 365 Administrator:**

* Manage the **company tenant**.
    
* Acquire and assign licenses for extra services like:
    
    * **Project Online**
        
    * **Visio**
        
    * **Scheduler**
        
    * **Microsoft Stream**
        
* Purchase extra capabilities such as **Microsoft Purview eDiscovery (Premium)**.
    

**Benefits of integrating with customer engagement apps:**

* **Easier maintenance** – centralized control and management.
    
* **Broader availability** – access from anywhere, any device.
    
* **Better coordination** – improved teamwork across devices.
    

Microsoft 365 offers **two main integration methods**:

1. **Purchase services page** – in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
    
2. **Marketplace** – in the Microsoft Azure portal.
    

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## **1\. Purchase Services Page (Microsoft 365 Admin Center)**

**Location:**

* Found under **Billing → Purchase services**.
    

**Features:**

* Displays **add-on services** and **full suite options**.
    
* Many subscriptions offer a **30-day trial**:
    
    * Trial ends → access removed unless purchased.
        
    * Full features available during trial for evaluation.
        

**Uses of the Purchase Services page:**

1. **Purchase new products** – e.g., Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Business Standard, Apps for Business.
    
2. **Add-on services** – e.g., Microsoft Teams, Power BI, Project Online.
    
3. **Manage licenses** – add, remove, change, or assign licenses.
    
4. **View purchase history** – see dates, items, and amounts paid.
    
5. **Get recommendations** – Microsoft suggests products based on needs.
    

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### **Product Comparison Feature**

Steps:

1. Tick **Compare** next to products.
    
2. Click **Compare** button.
    

**Comparison page shows:**

* **Product overview** – audience, key features, benefits.
    
* **Features comparison** – side-by-side list grouped by category.
    
* **Pricing** – per-user monthly cost.
    
* **Technical specifications** – system requirements, integrations.
    
* **Customer reviews** – ratings and experiences.
    

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### **Assigning Services**

Two ways to assign:

1. **After purchase** – go to User tab → locate user → assign license.
    
2. **Immediately** – choose **Assign to** when claiming license.
    

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## **2\. Azure Marketplace (Microsoft Azure Portal)**

**Purpose:**

* Catalog of Microsoft + third-party apps for Azure.
    
* Enables governance at **tenant level** by controlling what apps users can deploy or purchase.
    

**Two types:**

1. **Azure Marketplace** – open to all Azure users.
    
    * Thousands of apps in categories like Compute, DevOps, AI, ML.
        
    * Users can find, try, and buy services.
        
2. **Private Azure Marketplace** – controlled environment for approved apps only.
    
    * Admin decides what’s available based on policies.
        
    * Microsoft + endorsed Linux apps added automatically.
        

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### **Collections**

* A **list of approved products** in Private Azure Marketplace.
    
* Can include one or more approved plans.
    
* Govern and control marketplace solutions at **subscription level**.
    
* **Default Collection**:
    
    * Created automatically.
        
    * Scope: all subscriptions under tenant.
        
    * Cannot be renamed or deleted.
        

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### **Key Differences**

| Feature | Azure Marketplace | Private Azure Marketplace |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Discover Microsoft & partner apps | ✅ | ✅ |
| Control deployment of partner apps | Limited | ✅ |
| Control at plan (SKU) level | ❌ | ✅ |
| Create custom collections | ❌ | ✅ |
| Request admin approval for apps | ❌ | ✅ |

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### **Creating a Private Azure Marketplace**

1. Assign **Marketplace Admin** role.
    
2. Create private marketplace (starts disabled).
    
3. Add approved products to **Default Collection** or make new collections.
    
4. Enable marketplace so users can deploy approved products.
    

**Important:**

* Applies **tenant-wide**.
    
* All Microsoft + endorsed Linux apps are approved by default.
    
* Admin can still manage lists per subscription via collections.
    

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✅ **In summary:**

* **Purchase Services page** = buy/manage Microsoft 365 products & add-ons from admin center.
    
* **Azure Marketplace** = find apps for Azure, with **Private Marketplace** for stricter control and compliance.