What is our primary use case?
I have worked in various roles with Intune. In my previous organization, I supported Intune on a job board. Currently, I am in a consulting role, responsible for development, deployment, and other aspects of Intune. This experience has given me a well-rounded understanding of Intune's support and implementation aspects.
We implemented Intune to manage devices across multiple operating systems, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. My expertise lies in device enrollment, compliance enforcement, configuration management, Autopatch, Autopilot for Windows, and application provisioning through Apple Business Manager for Mac devices.
We have clients who have deployed Intune on a hybrid platform and others who are fully cloud-based.
How has it helped my organization?
Intune's security management capabilities effectively meet our compliance requirements. While there may be a few unique instances where our needs are particularly complex and don't perfectly align with Intune's design, it's clear that Intune comprehensively addresses the compliance standards and policies necessary for any organization.
Intune serves as a unified platform for managing endpoint and security tools. As a comprehensive management solution, Intune allows for centralized control of various aspects of device and security management. In terms of Microsoft Defender, Intune seamlessly integrates certain features of this advanced security product, providing an additional layer of protection. This integration streamlines incident management by centralizing relevant information and tools within a single platform.
With the advancements in Intune automation, the role of IT administrators has become significantly less complex than in previous years. Tasks that once required extensive manual configuration and monitoring, such as deploying security updates to Windows machines, are now streamlined through features like Windows Autopatch. This service automates the entire process, including policy creation, deployment, and monitoring. Additionally, Autopatch offers flexible deployment options, allowing for gradual rollout to pilot groups, IT staff, and the general workforce. As a result, IT teams can focus on higher-level tasks and reduce the time spent on routine maintenance.
Intune's user experience is generally seamless, with minimal user interaction required. While some applications might occasionally conflict, causing minor disruptions, Intune's compliance and configuration policies are typically applied in the background without significant user input. As a result, the user experience is generally straightforward, with few interruptions from Intune's administrative tasks.
If implemented, Intune can significantly enhance data protection, compliance, and security. By implementing security codes, we can control user-level access to applications and ensure that only authorized individuals can access company data. In case of device loss, we can remotely wipe the device to prevent data compromise. Intune also plays a crucial role in productivity. Deploying and managing applications through Intune is straightforward, and it supports a wide range of applications, including built-in ones. These features make Intune a valuable tool for organizations seeking to improve data protection, security, compliance, and overall productivity.
Intune effectively secures hybrid work and protects data on both company-owned and BYOD devices. For company-provided devices, MDM enrollment ensures robust security. However, BYOD devices rely on MAM, requiring user interaction through the company portal or Authenticator. While most users comply, there are instances of resistance to installing the company portal app, making MAM management challenging. To address this, Microsoft could explore alternative solutions that avoid the necessity of the company portal on personal devices, accommodating user preferences.
Intune enhances IT efficiency by streamlining application deployment. Applications developed for Intune are directly accessible within the application list, eliminating the need for separate provisioning from third-party vendors. Microsoft's extensive collaborations with numerous applications ensure that features and upgrades are managed seamlessly through Intune. Overall, Intune offers a promising solution for current IT productivity needs.
Intune offers comprehensive compliance features, covering even the intricate registry aspects of Windows security. Through the settings catalog, we can configure virtually all desired settings. Existing templates can be customized, and we can delve deeper into the same settings previously configured in our on-premises environment. For those transitioning to hybrid or cloud environments, Intune provides numerous features that can be customized or replicated from on-premises, offering a seamless transition.
What is most valuable?
As an IT administrator, I appreciate Intune's ability to implement granular device-level policies for our organization's employees. This allows us to enforce company-wide regulations and ensure compliance while minimizing the risk of data breaches. Intune's user-friendly interface and straightforward accessibility make it a valuable tool for IT staff and employees.
What needs improvement?
The enterprise application management feature in Intune Suite for app discovery, deployment, and automatic updating is well-suited for Windows devices but is premature for Android and iOS. From an administrator's perspective, managing Windows apps with Intune is relatively straightforward. However, for Android and iOS, the feature requires further refinement due to their third-party operating system nature. While Android devices pose fewer challenges, iOS devices often necessitate using Apple Business Manager as an intermediary, complicating the management process. This is particularly evident when considering Apple's role as the primary manager of iOS devices.
Intune could be enhanced by automating application upgrades, similar to how it automates operating system upgrades. This would streamline the process and reduce manual effort, especially for organizations with multiple applications requiring regular updates. Additionally, the tenant dashboard could be more user-friendly by providing more customizable options and charts for monitoring various aspects of the Intune environment. This would allow administrators to easily access and track key metrics without navigating through multiple menus.
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For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Microsoft Intune for three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I would rate the stability of Intune eight out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I would rate the scalability of Intune eight out of ten.
How are customer service and support?
Regarding the frontline support we contact, they could be more responsive. While the support is essentially the same for all users, Intune customers' response times, reservation times, and overall service are influenced by their license agreement. There is room for improvement in this area. Ultimately, we use the same product and license, but premium customer service comes with an additional cost. For instance, clients with premium licenses and support add-ons typically have issues resolved within three to four days, compared to seven to eight days for those without premium or unlimited customer service.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have experience with Jamf and NBF solutions. While Jamf offers robust capabilities for managing iOS devices online and is user-friendly, it surpasses Microsoft Intune in its features for Mac devices. However, Intune remains a better choice for Windows devices.
How was the initial setup?
The initial deployment of Intune can be improved by automating enrollment processes for Windows Autopilot. This would streamline the process and reduce the number of options IT admins need to manage. Additionally, automating the initial Intune procedures performed by IT would further simplify Windows Autopilot deployment.
The deployment time varies depending on the operating system. For Windows, it can take around ten hours. Android deployment takes 15 to 20 minutes. iOS deployment requires more time due to intermediaries between the device and Apple Business Manager. Setting up a connector between Apple Business Manager and Microsoft Intune, creating profiles on both platforms, and procuring licenses for the device on both ends are necessary steps for Mac deployment. Windows deployment is simpler, and methods like Windows Autopilot are less time-consuming.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The cost of the license and the features are justified for myself as a technical person.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate Microsoft Intune eight out of ten.
The Microsoft Intune Suite is a valuable tool for companies seeking a reliable MDM solution. Given the current structural and developmental trends in businesses, Intune has become essential for ensuring data security, protection, and compliance. It's a user-friendly platform that's relatively easy to learn, even for those with limited IT experience, such as support staff. For individuals aiming to enhance their skills and explore cloud technology, Intune offers a solid starting point before delving into Azure. By beginning with Intune and gradually expanding their capabilities, users can effectively leverage the Microsoft cloud ecosystem.
Our clients are medium size organizations.
Intune necessitates regular maintenance. To ensure optimal performance, we generate quarterly reports that inform our planning for the following quarter. These reports enable us to identify areas for improvement in compliance, non-compliant devices, configuration issues, and security and application upgrades. By addressing these concerns proactively, we can enhance Intune's overall effectiveness.
With co-managed devices, integrating the Intune Suite can be challenging due to the interplay of on-premises and cloud environments. Determining which controls have precedence—cloud-based or on-premises Active Directory features like organizational units or first levels—is crucial. Cloud-based management simplifies this process as Microsoft handles many aspects automatically, reducing the need for extensive customization. Creating user-level profiles in Azure Active Directory is essential for backend operations. On-premises management often requires more manual tasks compared to cloud-based solutions.
Intune is a viable solution for those seeking a mobile device management tool, especially if they primarily use Windows devices. However, if a Mac environment is the primary focus, Jamf offers more comprehensive capabilities and features. For organizations with a mixed device environment, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, Intune is a strong recommendation. Additionally, individuals aiming to enhance their skills in cloud technology can consider Intune as a valuable starting point.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.