AZ Innovations

Insights

Plain English · 4 to 8 minute reads · Written by the engineer who does the work

Every article here helps you make one IT decision or apply one fix, in plain English, without a vendor pitch.

Latest · Decision guideJul 9, 2026 · 10 Min Read

PIM Eligible vs Active: Can You Still Assign Permanent Admin Roles in Microsoft 365?

Yes, you can make someone a permanent admin in about thirty seconds, from the Microsoft 365 admin center, the Entra portal, or one Graph call. Here is what that actually creates, how PIM's eligible assignments differ, and the one case where a standing Global Admin is the right answer.

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Decision guides

Decision guide

Microsoft Copilot Pricing in Plain English: What the $30 License Includes, and What Costs Extra

Copilot is not included in E3 or E5. It is a $30 add-on, or $18 to $21 for small businesses, with a free web-only tier underneath. Here is what each level includes, what the new E7 suite is, and which agents quietly cost extra.

Jun 18, 2026 · 9 Min Read→

Decision guide

Is Cloud Storage Cheaper Than Owning Your Own Server?

Cloud storage looks more expensive per gigabyte than a hard drive you already own. That comparison is wrong. Here is what a file server actually costs over five years, and when owning one still wins.

Jun 15, 2026 · 9 Min Read→

Decision guide

Per-User MFA vs Security Defaults vs Conditional Access: Which Microsoft MFA Should You Use?

Microsoft has three ways to turn on MFA, and admins mix them up daily. Here is what each one is, which to use, and why the old per-user method should be switched off even though it still works.

Jun 13, 2026 · 9 Min Read→

Decision guide

Exchange 2016 Is Out of Support. Upgrade to Exchange SE or Move to Exchange Online?

The patches stopped in April. If you still run Exchange 2016 or 2019, you have two honest options, and both are projects. Here is how to pick the right one.

Jun 12, 2026 · 7 Min Read→

Decision guide

What Doesn't Survive a Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 Migration

Even with the best tool money can buy, a Google exit moves your content and leaves the connective tissue behind. Here is the honest inventory, workload by workload.

Jun 12, 2026 · 10 Min Read→

Decision guide

Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace: The 2026 Price Math and the Governance Gap

From July 1 the standard tiers of both suites list at the same $14. The real difference shows up when you ask who can become an admin, for how long, and who approved it.

Jun 12, 2026 · 9 Min Read→

Decision guide

OneDrive vs SharePoint vs Azure Files: Where Should Your Files Live?

OneDrive vs SharePoint vs Azure Files in plain English: where your Microsoft 365 files belong, personal, shared, or legacy, and the one rule that settles it.

May 15, 2026 · 8 Min Read→

Risk explainers

Risk explainer

The Real Cost of a Breach (It is Not the Ransom)

Everyone focuses on the hackers. The real cost is the 3 weeks your team spends rebuilding servers instead of selling.

May 25, 2026 · 5 Min Read→

Risk explainer

Why Hackers Love Your "MFA"

You have MFA turned on. You still got hacked. Here is why "Push Notifications" are actually a security vulnerability.

May 20, 2026 · 4 Min Read→