Microsoft's Windows Intune cloud-based desktop management and maintenance software was released on 1st April 2011. The software and service solution is available in Australia now, with prices starting around $15 per PC per month.
Combining a hosted management console accessed through a browser with a client application deployed to managed PCs, Windows Intune is a one-stop solution fulfiling 7 major needs of businesses. 1. Update deployment, 2. Malware protection, 3. Fault identification, 4. Remote assistance, 5. Security policy management, 6. Inventorying and 7. Asset management. As a cloud-based service, it doesn't require on-site servers or other infrastructure. It doesn't even require a Windows domain infrastructure; standalone, non-domain-joined machines are supported.
In addition to access to Windows Intune itself, each subscription also includes a license for Windows 7 Enterprise, allowing organisations using Intune to standardise on that operating system. For an extra payment (another dollar a month per PC, in the US), each system will also have a license to use the MDOP suite, which has more advanced management capabilities and virtualisation features. Two new MDOP features have also been announced: Microsoft BitLocker Administration and Monitoring, to help manage and deploy BitLocker whole-disk encryption, and a new version of the Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset.
Windows Intune is likely to particularly appeal to small business and their IT providers; the management console allows multiple accounts to be managed, making it easy for IT service providers to monitor and control multiple environments across all their customers from a single front-end. The dependence on the cloud, rather than on-site servers, means that neither system management nor the systems themselves need to be on-premises, and the remote assistance features mean that costly on-site (or at-desk) visits can be avoided.
Microsoft is claiming big cost savings through use of Windows Intune. The company is citing an IDC report that says companies will experience a total saving of $702 per PC per year through the use of Windows Intune, a result of improved IT productivity and fewer problems for end users.
The pricing is reasonable, and the functionality compelling. Microsoft appeared to be surprised at the interest and rapid uptake of the beta, with the thousand beta places filling up within 24 hours; now that the product is for sale, the compelling functionality and reasonable pricing should win Windows Intune a lot of fans among small and medium-sized enterprises
