Microsoft 365, Windows 365 and Azure: the workplace and the cloud we build on.
Who Microsoft is
Microsoft needs little introduction. The Redmond company, founded in 1975, makes the software most offices in Belgium work with every day. According to Microsoft, Microsoft 365 had more than 450 million paid commercial licences at the start of 2026.
For an SME, Microsoft is mainly three things: Microsoft 365 for mail, documents and collaboration, Windows 365 for a computer in the cloud, and Azure for servers and applications that no longer need to sit in the office.
What Microsoft provides
Microsoft 365 Business
The business plans for organisations of up to 300 users. Business Basic gives mail, Teams and 1 TB of OneDrive in the browser and on the smartphone. Business Standard adds Word, Excel and Outlook on the computer. Business Premium adds management and security: Intune for devices, conditional access, Defender for Business and stronger protection against phishing. Which plan suits whom, you can read on Workplace & productivity.
Defender for Business
Business-grade protection for laptops and computers, included in Business Premium. It recognises suspicious behaviour, investigates alerts automatically and acts on them. For organisations of up to 300 users.
Windows 365
A full Windows computer in the cloud, per user, at a fixed monthly price. You work on it from a laptop, a tablet or an older computer. Useful for temporary staff, home working or applications that should not sit on every device.
Azure
Microsoft’s cloud platform, for servers, storage, backup and applications. An SME usually buys Azure through a partner and pays for what it uses. Since November 2025, Microsoft also has an Azure region in Belgium.
Where your data is kept
Since February 2025, Microsoft stores and processes the customer data of Microsoft 365 and most Azure services for European customers within the European Union: the EU Data Boundary. Microsoft itself documents a limited number of exceptions, and we can show you which ones.
In Azure we always choose a European region, and where it makes sense the Belgian one.
Why we work with Microsoft
- Most of our customers already use it. We help them get more out of it, rather than moving to another system.
- Workplace, security and management form one whole, with one account per employee.
- Business Premium gives an SME security that used to be reserved for large companies, at a price per user.
- European customers’ data stays in the EU.
How Q-Ware uses Microsoft
| Service | What we do with Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Workplace & productivity | Setting up Microsoft 365, Intune for devices, new starters ready on day one |
| Security | Multi-factor authentication, conditional access, Defender for Business |
| Servers & cloud | Migration to SharePoint, OneDrive and Azure, hybrid setups |
Frequently asked questions
Do we need Business Premium?
Not everyone. Those handling sensitive data or using laptops outside the office get a lot out of it. A warehouse worker who mainly e-mails is often fine with Basic. Mixing plans is allowed.
Does Microsoft back up our data?
Microsoft keeps deleted mail and files for a limited time, but that is no backup against ransomware or a mistake that comes to light late. For that we provide a separate backup.
Is our Microsoft 365 data stored in Belgium?
Not necessarily in Belgium, but within the European Union. The Belgian region is an Azure region, for servers and applications.
Microsoft, Microsoft 365, Windows 365, Azure, Intune and Defender are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Facts updated on 2 October 2026.
Getting more out of Microsoft 365
In a first conversation we look at your licences and settings, and at what could be better or cheaper.