Starting January 6, 2025, Microsoft Purview is transitioning to a pay-as-you-go billing model.

Microsoft is bringing significant changes to how organizations manage costs and features for non-Microsoft 365 data. This update requires customer consent by February 28, 2025, to continue accessing critical capabilities and protections.

In this blog, we’ll break down the upcoming changes, what they mean for your organization, and how to prepare for a seamless transition. Stay informed and proactive to ensure uninterrupted access to the tools and features your team relies on.

Table of Contents

1. What is Microsoft Purview?
2. Pricing and Billing Models
3. What's Changing?
4. Purview for Compliance
5. What Areas Apply?
6. Why Use a Pay-as-you-go?
7. Resources

What is Microsoft Purview?

Microsoft Purview is a comprehensive platform designed to help organizations manage, protect, and govern their data across various environments.

It integrates data security, governance, and compliance solutions to provide a unified approach to data management. Here are some key features:

1. Data Security: Microsoft Purview offers tools like Data Loss Prevention, Information/Data Protection, and Insider Risk Management to help discover and protect sensitive information
2. Data Governance: It includes solutions such as the Data Map and Data Catalog, which help organizations map their data estate, manage data integrity, and secure sensitive data
3. Risk and Compliance: Purview helps organizations
   minimize compliance risks and meet regulatory requirements through features like Compliance Manager and eDiscovery

Overall, Microsoft Purview provides a robust framework for managing data across on-premises, multicloud, and SaaS environments, ensuring that data is secure, compliant, and effectively governed.

Microsoft Purview Pricing and Billing Models

Microsoft Purview currently supports two billing models:

1. Per-user Licensing Model: This is the traditional model used for Microsoft 365 and Windows/macOS endpoints.
2. Pay-as-you-go Model: This model extends Purview’s capabilities to non-Microsoft 365 data sources like Azure SQL, AWS, Google Cloud, and more. Charges are based on the number of assets protected and the processing units used.

What's Changing?

A transition to the Pay-as-you-go model for Microsoft Purview will be enforced starting January 6,

2025. Customers need to provide their consent to switch to this new billing model by February 28, 2025, to continue using the features for non-Microsoft 365 data.

If consent is not given by this date, access to these features and protections for non-Microsoft 365 data sources will be removed. More information about this change can be found here: Enable Microsoft Purview pay-as-you-go features via consent | Microsoft Learn.

Using Purview for Compliance with M365 Services and Endpoints

The pay-as-you-go model does not apply to Microsoft 365 assets, which remain under the per-user licensing model. This means your Microsoft 365 and Windows/macOS endpoint assets will continue to be billed as they currently are.

What Areas Apply?

Areas Covered by Microsoft Purview's Pay-as-you-go Model:

• Non-Microsoft 365 Assets:
  • Azure SQL
  • Azure Storage
  • AWS
  • Google Cloud Platform
  • Box
  • Dropbox

Note, the above asset list includes data sources and environments outside of Microsoft 365.

Why Would I Use a Pay-as-you-go Model for Non-Microsoft 365 Assets?

Financial Impacts of Moving to a Pay-as-you-go Model:

• Cost Efficiency: You pay only for what you use, which can be more cost-effective if your usage varies.
• Scalability: Easily scale up or down based on your needs without committing to a fixed number of licenses.
• Monthly Billing: Costs are calculated monthly based on usage, providing flexibility and potentially reducing upfront costs.

This model is intended for customers who use Microsoft Purview for Non-Microsoft 365 assets to not overpay monthly for compliance services tailored to the above mentioned non-M365 services.

More Resources:

• Microsoft Learn New Purview Billing FAQ’s
• Consent to New Billing Model