Windows Intune

Microsoft Intune (formerly Windows Intune) is a Microsoft cloud-based management solution[1] which was introduced in July 2011 at CeBIT.[2][3]

Distribution

Intune is primarily aimed at small and medium enterprises and service providers who want to manage up to 500 Microsoft Windows computers.[4][5][6] Distribution is through a subscription system in which a fixed monthly cost is incurred per PC. The minimum subscription duration is one year.[7] Included in the package is the Windows operating system, currently Windows 8 Enterprise. Microsoft offers this as an incentive to switch from Windows XP, whose support was discontinued in April 2014.[8][9] The sale takes place through Microsoft directly or through authorized distributors.[7]

Free beta versions for the administration of up to 10 (USA)[8] or 25 (Germany)[10] PCs were available for a trial period of 30 days.[8][9] The company offered sixty case studies of firms that use the software.[8]

On 8 October 2014, Microsoft announced plans to extend the service to other platforms and rename it to Microsoft Intune.[11]

Function

Intune supports Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 3, Windows Vista or Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise or Ultimate editions,[4] and Windows 8 Professional or Windows 8 Enterprise.[12] Administration is done via a web browser. The administration console based on Microsoft Silverlight v3.0 allows Intune to invoke remote tasks such as malware scans.[1] A Silverlight 3.0-compatible web browser is required.[4] In addition, the administrator must have a Windows Live ID.[9] Since version 2.0, installation of software packages in .exe, .msi and .msp format are supported. Installations are encrypted and compressed on Microsoft Azure Storage. Software installation can begin upon login. It can record and administer volume, retail and OEM licenses, and licenses which are administered by third parties.[1] Upgrades to newer versions of the Intune software are also controlled.[13]

Information about inventory is recorded automatically.[9] Managed computers can be grouped together when problems occur. Intune notifies support staff as well as notifying an external dealer via e-mail.[14]

Beta version 2.0 requires an additional 2 GB of memory.[1]

Reception

Der Standard praised the application, saying "the cloud service Intune promises to be a simple PC Management tool via Web console. The interface provides a quick overview of the system of state enterprise."[15] German PC World positively evaluated "usability" saying that it: "kept the interface simple."[9] Business Computing World criticized the program, saying "Although Windows Intune worked well in our tests and did everything expected of it, we didn’t find it all that easy to get to grips with", blaming the unintuitive "deceptively simple" management interface.[4] ITespresso rated it "good", adding some criticisms.[10]

Sources

  1. 1 2 3 4 Ihlenfeld, Jens (13 July 2011). "Microsoft erweitert sein cloudbasiertes Desktopmanagement" [Microsoft is expanding its cloud-based desktop management]. golem.de (in German). Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  2. ↑ Foley, Mary Jo (1 March 2011). "CeBIT: Microsofts PC-Management-Dienst Windows Intune startet am 23. März" [CeBIT: Microsoft's PC Windows Intune management service starts on 23 March]. ZDNet (in German). Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  3. ↑ "Microsoft stellt Windows Intune vor Cloud-basierte PC-Verwaltung" [Microsoft delivers Windows Intune: Cloud-based PC management]. Computerwoche (in German) (IDG). 15 March 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 REVIEW: Microsoft Windows Intune in World Business Computing of 28 April 2011
  5. ↑ Robert Small Businesses Benefit from SecondWindowsIntune beta in PC World, 19 July 2011
  6. ↑ Microsoft Intune in review: The Windows Management on the Web netzwelt.de of 9 May 2011
  7. 1 2 Intune Windows: PC management in the cloud winfuture.de of 24 March 2011
  8. 1 2 3 4 Chan, Sharon (12 July 2011). "New Microsoft Windows Intune cloud service ready for free beta testing". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Moritz Jäger: cloud service : Intune With Windows PCs to manage smart on pcwelt.de of 18 April 2011
  10. 1 2 Windows Intune: Kick-off for 'July 2011' beta itespresso.de of 4 April 2011
  11. ↑ Bright, Peter (9 October 2014). "Windows Intune now just Intune, because it does Android and iOS, too". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
  12. ↑ "Upgrading to the latest Windows Intune Release". Microsoft.
  13. ↑ cloud remote maintenance service Intune distributed software heise.de of 14 July 2011
  14. ↑ Intune With Windows: Microsoft dealer makes cloud specialists channelpartner.de, website of the journal ChannelPartner of 22 March 2011
  15. ↑ Windows Intune: PC management via cloud in Der Standard of 21 March 2011

External links

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