Microsoft M365 in China: What You Need to Consider

Operating an international business in the Asia region comes with several unique challenges, particularly when it comes to leveraging cloud services like Microsoft M365 in China. The partnership between Microsoft and 21Vianet ensures compliance with China’s stringent data sovereignty laws, but it also means that the Chinese version of Microsoft 365 differs from its global counterpart.

As an international business, it’s crucial to understand these differences and make informed decisions about your IT infrastructure. Key considerations include:

Feature Discrepancies:

Some features available in the global version of Microsoft 365 may be limited or unavailable in the Chinese version. Evaluate which functionalities are critical for your operations and verify their availability.

Compliance and Data Security:

Ensure that your business complies with China’s data protection regulations. The partnership with 21Vianet provides a compliant environment, but understanding the specifics is essential for maintaining data security and regulatory adherence.

Integration Challenges:

Consider how the Chinese instance of Microsoft 365 will integrate with your global IT systems. Differences in features and data handling can impact seamless operations across your international branches.

User Experience:

The user experience can vary significantly. Assess how these changes might affect productivity and workflow for your team based in China.

Support and Maintenance:

Understand the support structure provided by 21Vianet. Knowing who to contact for issues and how quickly they can be resolved is vital for maintaining smooth operations.

Making the right choice requires a thorough assessment of your business needs, regulatory requirements, and the specific capabilities of Microsoft 365 in China. By carefully evaluating these factors, you can ensure that your IT strategy supports your business goals and complies with local regulations.

Microsoft 365: Global Tenant vs China Tenant

When expanding into China, businesses often confront a perplexing range of regulations, vague or contradicting information, and unique IT challenges. Among the latter, one of the most significant is the difference between Microsoft M365 in China (operated by 21Vianet) and global Office 365 services.

PTS will help to shed light on some of the differences between these two platforms, their implications, and how your company can navigate these challenges.

21Vianet and Its Relationship with Microsoft

Understanding the foundation of Microsoft 365 in China begins with recognizing the role of 21Vianet, a prominent data center service provider in the region. Due to China’s stringent data sovereignty laws, which mandate that data must remain within its borders, Microsoft partnered with 21Vianet to comply with these regulations. This collaboration resulted in a physically separated instance of Microsoft services in China, exclusively operated and managed by 21Vianet.

This unique structure enables Microsoft’s cloud services to function within China’s regulatory framework. However, it also creates notable differences in features and functionalities compared to the global version of Office 365, affecting user experience and capabilities.

Microsoft Teams: A Side-by-Side Comparison

When considering Microsoft 365 for your business operations in China, it’s essential to understand the key differences between the global tenant and the local China tenant operated by 21Vianet. These differences can impact features, compliance, and overall user experience.

Regulatory Compliance and Data Sovereignty

• Global Tenant: Data is stored in Microsoft’s global data centers, which comply with international data protection regulations like GDPR.
• China Tenant: Operated by 21Vianet, all data is stored within China to comply with local data sovereignty laws. This setup ensures adherence to China’s strict regulatory requirements but results in a separate instance from the global Microsoft 365 services  .

Feature Availability

• Global Tenant: Offers a comprehensive suite of features, including Live Events, webinars, Audio Conferencing, and full Teams functionality.
• China Tenant: Some features are restricted or unavailable. This includes Live Events, certain Teams functionalities, and integration with third-party apps via bots and connectors. Additionally, services like Windows Autopilot and some Google Mobile Services-dependent functions are not supported 

O365 – EU and China – Microsoft Community Hub

Network Performance and Optimization

• Global Tenant: Users in China may experience poor network performance due to cross-border network congestion, leading to packet loss and latency. This can affect real-time services like Teams calls and video conferencing.
• China Tenant: Optimized for local performance with reduced latency and better overall service reliability within China. However, connecting with global services may still face some challenges .

Compliance and Data Protection

• Global Tenant: Includes a wide array of data protection, governance, and compliance tools that are updated regularly to meet new threats.
• China Tenant: While it provides essential compliance and administration tools, there are nuances and limitations compared to the global version. Businesses must be aware of these to ensure full compliance with both global and local regulations .

Licensing, Support, and Updates

• Global Tenant: Licensing and support are directly through Microsoft, with regular and consistent updates.
• China Tenant: Licensing and support are managed by 21Vianet, and updates may not be as frequent or synchronized with global releases, leading to potential delays in acquiring the latest features or security enhancements .

Implications for International Businesses

For international businesses operating in China, these differences necessitate a thoughtful approach to IT strategy. Here are some strategies to consider:

• Holistic IT Strategy: Develop a unified IT strategy that recognizes the bifurcation of services between global and local tenants.
• Training and Onboarding: Ensure employees are aware of the differences and potential workarounds to maintain productivity across both versions.
• Continuous Monitoring: Regularly monitor updates from both 21Vianet and Microsoft to stay informed about changes in functionality and compliance requirements.

Understanding these differences and preparing accordingly will help your business navigate the unique challenges of operating in China while leveraging the best of Microsoft 365 services.

For more detailed information and professional guidance, you can visit the official Microsoft documentation or consult with IT experts familiar with the local regulatory environment.

Microsoft Intune: Drawing the Lines

Global Office 365:

• Offers robust device management capabilities, including on-premises Exchange Connector, Windows Autopilot, Business Store features, and more.
• Seamless management of Android devices with Google Mobile Services, including Google Play Protect and Android Enterprise capabilities.
• Broad feature set for endpoint analytics, telemetry, and device management.

China Tenant (21Vianet):

• Presents several restrictions, including the unavailability of features such as Windows Autopilot, Google Mobile Services-dependent functions, and on-premises Exchange Connector.
• Limited Android device management due to the lack of Google Mobile Services in China.
• Specific functionalities, such as the Intune Company Portal app for Android, experience delays due to the absence of Google Play services.

Implications for International Businesses

For businesses that operate both within and outside China, these differences can introduce complexities. Here are some strategies to cope:

1. Holistic IT Strategy: Consider a unified IT strategy that acknowledges the bifurcation of services. 

2. Training and Onboarding: Employees should be educated about the distinctions and potential workarounds. This ensures a smooth workflow, irrespective of the platform’s version they’re accessing.

3. Continuous Monitoring: Keep an eye on updates from 21Vianet and Microsoft. While the core essence of the services remains consistent, functionality may change.

Summary

China’s digital landscape, is paved with unique challenges. The distinctions between Microsoft M365 in China and their global counterparts are emblematic of the broader IT challenges international businesses face in China.

At PTS Managed Services, we pride ourselves on aiding businesses in navigating these complexities. With a deep-rooted understanding of how to manage IT in this region, we’re here to ensure that your IT framework, be it in Hong Kong, China, or the broader region, delivers the performance you need for your business.