As businesses continue to embrace remote work and flexible working arrangements, the need for effective endpoint management solutions has become increasingly important. Microsoft Intune has emerged as a leader in the endpoint management space, providing organizations with a comprehensive set of tools to manage their endpoints, including mobile devices, PCs, and applications, from a single platform.
What is Microsoft Intune?
Microsoft Intune is a powerful cloud-based endpoint management tool that offers extensive support across multiple platforms such as Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS. Linux and ChromeOS are currently in preview and will have more granular features. It is a comprehensive solution combining Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Mobile Application Management (MAM) capabilities.
One of the unique strengths of Intune is its ability to allow employees to use their preferred mobile devices, whether they are personal or company-owned while ensuring secure access to sensitive company data with app protection policies. With Intune, you can manage the entire lifecycle of apps on these devices, from deployment to updates and uninstallation.
In today’s rapidly evolving security landscape, keeping track of your endpoints is critical to the success of your organization. Intune plays a significant role in implementing the zero-trust security model, ensuring that your endpoints remain secure, and your data remains protected.
What’s new in Microsoft Intune in 2023?
Microsoft Intune has evolved significantly since its inception, and with each passing year, Microsoft has continued to add new features and capabilities to the platform. In this article, we’ll explore some of the exciting new features and capabilities that Microsoft introduced to Intune in 2023.
Microsoft Endpoint Manager Integration
Microsoft has been working to unify its endpoint management offerings under the Microsoft Endpoint Manager umbrella. In 2023, Microsoft Intune will be fully integrated with Configuration Manager, providing organizations with a seamless experience when managing their endpoints. The integration will allow organizations to manage their devices, applications, and data from a single console, simplifying the management process.
Enhanced Security Features
In 2023, Microsoft has introduced several new security features to Intune, including integration with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. This integration will provide organizations with real-time threat intelligence and automated response capabilities to help protect their endpoints against cyber-attacks. Moreover, Microsoft hasintegrated conditional access policies for Windows and Mac devices, allowing organizations to control access to corporate resources based on the user’s location, device compliance, and other factors.
Automated Device Enrollment
Microsoft has made it easier for organizations to enroll and manage their devices by introducing automated device enrollment through autopilot. This feature allows devices to be enrolled automatically in Intune when they are powered on for the first time, reducing the time and effort required for device provisioning. This feature is particularly useful for organizations with a large number of devices that need to be enrolled.
Microsoft Tunnel Integration
Microsoft Tunnel is a VPN solution that allows organizations to securely access corporate resources from mobile devices. In 2023, Microsoft has introduced integration between Microsoft Tunnel and Intune, allowing organizations to manage and deploy VPN profiles to their mobile devices. This integration provides organizations with a streamlined VPN management process, making it easier to manage and secure their mobile devices.
Endpoint Analytics
Endpoint Analytics is a new feature introduced in 2023 that provides organizations with insights into their device and application performance. This feature uses telemetry data from devices to identify issues and provide recommendations to improve performance. This feature provides organizations with the data they need to make informed decisions about their endpoint management strategies.
Power BI Integration
Microsoft has introduced Power BI integration to Intune, allowing organizations to create custom reports and dashboards based on their endpoint management data. This integration provides organizations with a more comprehensive view of their endpoint management activities, making it easier to identify areas for improvement and optimize their endpoint management strategies.
MacOS Management Enhancements
Several enhancements to Mac management in Intune have been introduced, including support for macOS Big Sur and the ability to deploy custom fonts to macOS devices. Additionally, Microsoft has introduced new policies to manage macOS devices, including the ability to configure Wi-Fi and VPN settings and the ability to manage system preferences.
Microsoft Intune Suite Subscription Plans
Microsoft Intune has become the go-to solution for modern endpoint management, offering businesses a range of powerful tools and features to manage their devices and apps. Now, with the introduction of Intune Suite subscription plans, customers can access these features in a more customizable and flexible way.
The Intune Suite is available as tiered subscriptions, with individual solutions within the suite also available as standalone add-ons to Intune.
Let’s take a closer look at the three subscription tiers:
Microsoft Intune Plan 1
Plan 1 includes Intune’s core capabilities and will be available to customers with subscriptions to Microsoft 365 E3, E5, F1, and F3; Enterprise Mobility + Security E3 and E5; and Business Premium plans. This subscription is priced at $8 per user per month.
Microsoft Intune Plan 2
This add-on tier, available only to Plan 1 subscribers, includes advanced capabilities such as management of specialty devices and Microsoft Tunnel for Mobile Application Management. Subscribers will have to pay an additional $4 per user per month on top of the cost of Plan 1.
Microsoft Intune Suite
The top-tier subscription, available as an add-on to Plan 1, includes Microsoft Intune Remote Help, Microsoft Intune Endpoint Privilege Management, Microsoft Tunnel for Mobile Application Management, management of specialty devices, and select Microsoft Intune advanced endpoint analytics features. This highest tier can be subscribed at $10 per user per month in addition to the cost of Plan 1 subscription. By leveraging Microsoft Intune Remote Help and Microsoft Endpoint Privilege Management, organizations have the benefit and convenience of access to endpoints and applications without compromising security.
With these customizable subscription plans, businesses can choose the level of features and capabilities that best meet their needs, while also having the flexibility to add on additional solutions as needed. This allows for greater cost control and scalability, as businesses can easily upgrade or downgrade their subscription plans based on their changing needs.
Conclusion
Microsoft Intune has emerged as a leading endpoint management solution, providing organizations with a comprehensive set of tools to manage their devices, applications, and data from a single platform. In 2023, Microsoft has introduced several exciting new features and capabilities to Intune, including integration with Microsoft Endpoint Manager, enhanced security features, automated device enrollment, and endpoint analytics. These features provide organizations with the data and insights they need to make informed decisions about their endpoint management strategies and streamline their endpoint management processes. If you’re considering an endpoint management solution, Microsoft Intune is a platform worth exploring.
Contact Softlanding if you want to book a free discovery call.
Written By:
softlanding
Softlanding is a long-established IT services provider of transformation, professional services and managed IT services that helps organizations boost innovation and drive business value. We are a multi-award-winning Microsoft Gold Partner with 13 Gold Competencies and we use our experience and expertise to be a trusted advisor to our clients. Headquartered in Vancouver, BC, we have staff and offices in Toronto, Montreal and Calgary to serve clients across Canada.
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