Microsoft Intune is a mobile device management tool that integrates with your existing services to provide a range of features to manage almost every aspect of device usage across your business.
Compatible with Windows 10, Windows 11, Android, macOS, iPhones, and iPads, Microsoft Intune offers flexibility and a relatively seamless integration with your current systems.
While slightly more expensive than some of the competitors, with a wide range of useful features, Microsoft Intune is a popular option for businesses looking to manage devices across the company efficiently.
Microsoft Intune Features
One of the key features that sets Intune apart is the use of its configuration profiles where specific devices or departments can have the user access restricted in terms of accessing Bluetooth, being able to print documents or download updates, for example.
Using Microsoft Intune you can set up any device as a dedicated kiosk. However, some users have reported some small quirks with features such as the single app kiosk mode, where it is difficult to exit the kiosk easily.
Intune provides a wide range of admin templates, a detailed overview of your cloud environment and settings, plus authentication certificates on Wi-Fi and email profiles.
Furthermore, you can customise Intune settings so that it is able to manage a device that would normally be beyond the capability of the software.
Through Microsoft Intune, you can enforce compliance policies and protect your corporate data. Other useful features of Microsoft Intune include security controls, data prevention and limitation, ID protection and multi-user device management.
What are the Disadvantages of Microsoft Intune?
Whilst Microsoft Intune offers a range of useful features for device management, the interface is perhaps not the most user-friendly, with several users finding issues with some of the small quirks and surprises that seem to be thrown up by Microsoft Intune.
Cost
Microsoft Intune is quite expensive, especially for businesses that need to purchase multiple licences across a large number of devices.
Also, there is no real incentive for businesses to roll out Intune across a large company as there is no real discount offered for enrolling large numbers of devices.
Time-consuming Integration
If you are looking to integrate with non-Microsoft applications and services this can be a time-consuming process and it would be typically advised to get help from a managed IT service.
Limited Advanced Functions
With Microsoft Intune, there are not many extra features to get more out of your endpoints. For example, there is no remote control option or device analytics as found in other products. Microsoft Intune does not provide location data meaning that if a device is lost or stolen, it may be difficult for security teams to track its geographical location.
Complexity
Microsoft Intune can be quite complex for internal IT departments to handle by themselves whilst processing their normal day-to-day workload. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) Microsoft would recommend enlisting the support of an effective managed service provider.
Microsoft Intune vs Microsoft Deployment Toolkit
How does Microsoft Intune compare with other similar products on the market? Whilst not a device management tool, Microsoft Deployment Toolkit is certainly useful for organisations looking to deploy operating systems and control a large number of devices within an organisation.
The main difference with the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit is in how it operates, allowing the user to deploy virtual machines across a wide number of instances. This means that multiple user experiences can be based on one physical machine, with the main user able to manage and configure these images or virtual machines as needed.
Useful features of the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit include automated task sequencing, a central dashboard to control instances, customised rules, and multiple security setting configurations.
Virtual Machines vs Traditional Device Management
Operating virtual machines offers a number of benefits, including
Agility and speed: virtual machines are easy to spin up and replicate
Scalability: virtual machines make it easier to scale up or add virtual servers to distribute the workload
Reliability: virtual machines are isolated and remain virtual, making them more reliable
Security: with virtual machines, you can run multiple operating systems without affecting the host system
Ease of use: with virtual machines, you don't need to worry about each individual machine's hardware or software configurations
Contact Lyon Tech
At Lyon Tech, we provide a range of solutions to enhance your business processes and streamline operations.
For SMEs and larger businesses looking for professional support with applications such as Microsoft Intune, our specialist engineers can handle the day-to-day running of any complex systems, freeing up internal IT departments to perform mission-critical tasks and be available for troubleshooting.
For businesses looking for alternate options, we provide a range of cutting-edge solutions for device management and remote infrastructure.
Through virtual workstations, businesses can deploy a large number of instances across multiple devices. With all the user experiences or operating systems based on one host machine, this means that the individual user devices can remain light in terms of the hardware and software needed to perform their tasks.
With advanced cloud solutions, businesses can effectively operate across a range of environments and locations, linking all devices into one integrated and sophisticated network.
Using virtual CPU platforms and virtual graphics processors, businesses can enhance the capability of any device in their network, giving their team all the processing power they need at their fingertips without requiring any investment in expensive infrastructure or equipment.
For further information on device management and the technological solutions available, contact our friendly team today.
Our expert analysts can take you through the range of options and advise which will be most suited to your business needs.
