Microsoft 365 Frontline Worker Licenses

What Are Frontline Workers?

Frontline workers are employees whose primary function doesn't involve sitting at a desk with a computer. They represent approximately 80% of the global workforce and include:

• Retail: Store associates, cashiers, stock clerks
• Healthcare: Nurses, medical assistants, orderlies
• Manufacturing: Factory workers, assembly line staff
• Hospitality: Hotel staff, restaurant workers
• Transportation: Drivers, warehouse workers
• Field Service: Technicians, repair staff

F1 vs F3 Comparison

Detailed Feature Comparison

Feature	F1	F3
Office Apps (Web/Mobile)	View only	Full editing
Office Desktop Apps	-	-
Microsoft Teams	✓	✓
Exchange Mailbox	2 GB (Kiosk)	2 GB
SharePoint	View only	Full access
OneDrive	2 GB	2 GB
Power Apps	-	✓ (standard connectors)
Power Automate	-	✓ (standard connectors)
Windows License	-	Windows 10/11 Enterprise
Intune	Limited	Full MDM

Teams for Frontline Workers

Microsoft Teams is central to frontline worker productivity:

Key Frontline Features

• Shifts: Schedule management, shift swapping, time tracking
• Walkie Talkie: Push-to-talk communication over WiFi/cellular
• Tasks: Task assignment and tracking from Planner
• Approvals: Quick approval workflows for requests
• Updates: Quick status updates and check-ins
• Viva Connections: Company news and resources

Teams Devices

Frontline workers can access Teams on:

• Personal smartphones (BYOD)
• Company-issued mobile devices
• Shared devices (kiosk mode)
• Rugged devices for industrial environments
• Teams displays and phones

Security and Compliance

Security Feature	F1	F3
Azure AD Basic	✓	✓
Multi-Factor Authentication	✓	✓
Conditional Access	Limited	✓
Intune MDM	Limited	Full
Information Protection	Basic	✓
Defender for Endpoint	-	Plan 1

When to Use F1 vs F3

Choose F1 When:

• Workers only need to view (not edit) documents
• Primary use is Teams communication and Shifts
• No need for SharePoint editing
• Basic security requirements
• Using non-Windows shared devices
• Cost is the primary concern

Choose F3 When:

• Workers need to create or edit documents
• Power Apps/Power Automate will be used
• Full SharePoint access required
• Advanced security and compliance needed
• Windows devices will be deployed
• Full Intune device management required

Common Deployment Scenarios

Retail Store

• Store Associates: F1 for Teams, Shifts, company communications
• Department Managers: F3 for SharePoint, approvals, Power Apps
• Store Managers: E3/E5 for full Office suite and advanced features

Manufacturing Plant

• Line Workers: F1 for safety communications, shift schedules
• Supervisors: F3 for data entry apps, reporting
• Plant Managers: E3 for full productivity suite

Healthcare Facility

• Support Staff: F1 for communication, scheduling
• Nurses: F3 for documentation, care coordination apps
• Physicians: E3/E5 for full productivity and compliance

Add-Ons for Frontline

Add-On	Price	Purpose
Extra Storage	Varies	Additional OneDrive/mailbox space
Audio Conferencing	$4/user/month	Dial-in for Teams meetings
Defender for Endpoint P2	$5.20/user/month	Advanced threat protection
Viva Learning	$4/user/month	Employee training platform

Cost Optimization Tips

1. Segment Your Workforce: Not everyone needs the same license tier
2. Use Shared Devices: Kiosk mode reduces per-user costs
3. Leverage Teams: Replace point solutions with Teams features
4. Start with F1: Upgrade to F3 only when features are needed
5. Consider Annual Commitment: Discounts available for annual plans

Additional Resources

• Microsoft 365 for Frontline Workers
• Teams for Frontline Workers Documentation
• Frontline Worker Adoption Guide