If you're managing SharePoint Online in an enterprise environment, you've probably felt the limitations of standard controls when dealing with large-scale content governance, sharing policies, and site lifecycle management.
That’s where SharePoint Advanced Management Plan 1comes in — a premium add-on designed to give IT administrators deeper control, enhanced visibility, and advanced governance tools for SharePoint Online.
In this post, we’ll break down what this plan is, its key features, benefits, pricing, and when it’s worth the upgrade.
🧠 What is SharePoint Advanced Management Plan 1?
SharePoint Advanced Management (SAM) Plan 1 is a paid Microsoft 365 add-on that provides enhanced capabilities for managing and securing SharePoint Online beyond the built-in features of Microsoft 365 E3 or E5.
It is designed for:
- IT administrators
- Security teams
- Compliance officers
- Enterprises with large or complex SharePoint environments
It helps you manage sharing, site access, lifecycle, and content more effectively — all while aligning with compliance and governance needs.
📦 Key Features of SharePoint Advanced Management Plan 1
Here are the core features included in Plan 1 as of 2024:
🔒 1. Restricted Access Control
Prevent accidental oversharing by restricting SharePoint site access for specific users or groups. You can:
- Block access to unmanaged or risky devices
- Limit access to specific users or roles
- Create tenant-level policies for sensitive content
📤 2. Advanced Sharing Controls
Take granular control over how your SharePoint content is shared externally:
- Enforce expiration on all external shares
- Automatically revoke stale sharing links
- Track who accessed shared content and when
🏷️ 3. Information Barriers Enhancements
Support advanced information barrier policies to prevent data leaks between departments or groups with strict compliance rules (e.g., HR and Finance).
- Better integration with Microsoft Purview
- Refined segmentation of content access
📁 4. Site Lifecycle Management
Automate site lifecycle with templates and policies:
- Auto-expiration of inactive sites
- Custom retention or archival rules
- Alerts when a site nears policy thresholds
📊 5. Insights and Analytics
Track external sharing, access violations, and lifecycle status with detailed reports:
- Power BI integration
- Exportable audit logs
- Microsoft 365 compliance center support
🧹 6. Policy-Based Expiration of OneDrive Accounts
Enable auto-cleanup or handover of OneDrive accounts when users leave the company:
- Retain data for compliance
- Transfer ownership to managers
🚀 Benefits of Using SAM Plan 1
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| ✅ Enhanced Governance | Define and enforce policies that align with your org’s compliance needs |
| ✅ Reduced Risk | Minimize accidental sharing or data leaks with advanced controls |
| ✅ Automation | Save time through lifecycle automation and default policy application |
| ✅ Improved Visibility | Stay informed with detailed reports and alerts |
| ✅ Seamless Integration | Works with Microsoft Purview, PowerShell, and Microsoft Graph APIs |
🧪 Use Cases in the Real World
👩💼 Enterprise with High Compliance Needs
A financial services company can use restricted access policies to prevent cross-departmental data access (e.g., Marketing can't see Finance sites).
🌍 Global Organizations
Track and control external file shares across regional teams — with automatic expiration and alerts on public links.
🏢 HR & Legal Departments
Automate deletion of collaboration sites created during recruiting or legal cases after a defined period.
🔐 Sensitive Projects
Create isolated SharePoint environments for M&A projects or executive discussions — with strict sharing policies and no external access.
💰 Licensing and Pricing
SharePoint Advanced Management Plan 1 is:
- Licensed per user
- Available as an add-on to Microsoft 365 E3/E5, Office 365 E3/E5
You can purchase it directly through our platform:
👉 Buy SharePoint Advanced Management Plan 1
💡 Only users benefiting from these features need the license. For example, if only 50 users require enhanced site controls, only they need the SAM license.
⚙️ How to Enable SAM Plan 1
- Purchase licenses at idreams.ai
- Assign the license to relevant users via Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
- Configure settings in:
- SharePoint Admin Center > Policies > Sharing
- Information Barriers
- Site lifecycle and expiration
- Use PowerShell or Microsoft Graph for bulk configuration and reporting.
🛡️ Compatibility with Microsoft Purview and Defender
SAM Plan 1 integrates well with:
- Microsoft Purview – for classification, DLP, and sensitivity labels
- Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps – to monitor and control risky behavior
- Audit and compliance center – unified auditing across Microsoft 365
This makes it a strong addition for companies already using Microsoft’s compliance stack.
🧠 FAQs
❓ Is SAM Plan 1 required for every user?
No — only users needing the advanced features (e.g., site admins, sensitive data owners) require licensing.
❓ Can I use SAM Plan 1 with SharePoint E3?
Yes, it's compatible with both Microsoft 365 E3 and E5. It’s an optional add-on.
❓ Does it replace Microsoft Purview?
No, it complements Purview by offering SharePoint-specific controls.
✍️ Final Thoughts
SharePoint Advanced Management Plan 1 is a powerful tool for organizations that need more than the default sharing and governance features in Microsoft 365. Whether you're running a large enterprise with strict compliance requirements, or just want to automate and secure site lifecycle management, this plan adds significant value and control.
If you’re already managing SharePoint at scale and need to reduce risk while improving automation and visibility — SAM Plan 1 is absolutely worth considering.
👉 Get started today and take your SharePoint governance to the next level.
🙌 Have questions or want a personalized consultation? Feel free to comment below or reach out — we’re here to help!
Top comments (0)