How Visio Plan and Project Plan Online can boost your SMB productivity and security

It has been interesting lately to receive requests for quotations that include not only Microsoft 365 for Business or Enterprise, but these suite licenses accompanied by the addition of Vision Plan licenses as well as Project Online licenses. As a Microsoft partner, you know the value of Microsoft 365 for SMBs. It offers a comprehensive suite of cloud-based apps and services that empower your customers to collaborate, communicate, and create securely and efficiently. But did you know that two additional apps can enhance your customers' productivity (and security) even more? These are Visio Plan and Project Plan Online, and in this blog, we will explain why your SMB customers need them and how you can sell them effectively. 

What are Visio Plan and Project Plan Online? 

Visio Plan is a cloud-based app that allows your customers to create and share professional diagrams, such as flowcharts, org charts, floor plans, and more. Visio Plan integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 apps like Teams, SharePoint, and Power BI, enabling your customers to visualize and analyze their data, processes, and systems in real-time. Visio Plan also supports co-authoring, commenting, and version history, making it easy for your customers to collaborate on their diagrams with their teams and stakeholders. 

Project Plan Online is a cloud-based app that helps your customers manage their projects, tasks, and resources. Project Plan Online enables your customers to create and update project plans, track progress and costs, assign and monitor resources, and generate reports and insights. Project Plan Online also integrates with Microsoft 365 apps like Outlook, Planner, and Power BI, allowing your customers to sync their tasks, calendars, and data across their apps and devices. Project Plan Online also supports team collaboration, portfolio management, and governance, helping your customers deliver their projects on time and budget. 

Why do your SMB customers need Visio Plan and Project Plan Online? 

Visio Plan and Project Plan Online are not just nice-to-have apps for your SMB customers. They are essential apps that can help your customers achieve their business goals and overcome their challenges. Here are some of the benefits and use cases of these apps for your SMB customers: 

• Visio Plan and Project Plan Online can help your customers improve their productivity and efficiency. By using these apps, your customers can streamline their workflows, automate their processes, and optimize their resources. They can also save time and money by reducing errors, rework, and delays. For example, your customers can use Visio Plan to create and update their business process diagrams, and then use Project Plan Online to execute and monitor their process improvement projects. 
• Visio Plan and Project Plan Online can help your customers enhance their security and compliance. By using these apps, your customers can protect their data, diagrams, and projects from unauthorized access, loss, or corruption. They can also comply with industry standards and regulations, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO. For example, your customers can use Visio Plan to create and share their data flow diagrams, and then use Project Plan Online to manage their data protection and privacy projects. 
• Visio Plan and Project Plan Online can help your customers leverage the power of AI. By using these apps, your customers can access the latest AI features and capabilities that Microsoft 365 offers, such as image recognition, natural language processing, and machine learning. They can also integrate their data, diagrams, and projects with other AI-powered apps and services, such as Azure, Power Apps, and Power Automate. For example, your customers can use Visio Plan to create and export their AI models, and then use Project Plan Online to manage their AI deployment and adoption projects. 

How can a Microsoft Partner sell Visio Plan and Project Plan Online to your SMB customers? 

Now that you know the value and benefits of Visio Plan and Project Plan Online for your SMB customers, you may wonder how you can sell these apps effectively. Here are some tips and best practices that can help you: 

• Identify your customers' pain points and needs. Before you pitch Visio Plan and Project Plan Online to your customers, you need to understand their current challenges and goals. Ask them questions like: What are the types of diagrams and projects that they work on? How do they create, share, and manage them? What are the tools and methods that they use? What are the problems and gaps that they face? How do they measure their success and outcomes? By doing this, you can tailor your solution and value proposition to their specific needs and scenarios. 
• Demonstrate the features and benefits of Visio Plan and Project Plan Online. Once you have identified your customers' pain points and needs, you can show them how Visio Plan and Project Plan Online can solve them and help them achieve their goals. Use live demos, case studies, and testimonials to illustrate the features and benefits of these apps. Highlight the integration and compatibility of these apps with Microsoft 365 and other apps and services that your customers use. Emphasize the security and compliance advantages of these apps, especially for SMBs that operate in regulated industries or markets. Show them the AI capabilities and potential of these apps, especially for SMBs that want to innovate and differentiate themselves from their competitors. 
• Offer incentives and discounts. To motivate your customers to buy Visio Plan and Project Plan Online, you can offer them incentives and discounts, such as free trials, bundles, and promotions. You can also leverage the Microsoft Partner Network resources and programs, such as the Microsoft Action Pack, the Microsoft Incentives Program, and the Microsoft Partner Center, to access tools, training, and support that can help you sell these apps. You can also partner with other Microsoft partners, such as the SureStep Ambassadors for Modern Work, to get expert advice and guidance on how to sell these apps. 

Conclusion 

Visio Plan and Project Plan Online are powerful and versatile apps that can help your SMB customers boost their productivity and security and leverage the power of AI. By selling these apps to your customers, you can not only increase your revenue and profitability but also strengthen your relationship and loyalty with your customers. If you want to learn more about how to sell Visio Plan and Project Plan Online, or if you have any questions or feedback, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We are the SureStep Ambassadors for Modern Work, and we are here to help you succeed in your Microsoft 365 journey.