Are you looking for an efficient solution for your business’s mobile device management (MDM)? Microsoft Intune stands as a leading MDM solution that ensures seamless application integration across various devices. And it does so while delivering top-notch security features.
Not only can Intune save your business time and money, but it also provides unified endpoint management for both corporate-owned and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies.
As a cloud-based service, Intune offers employees the flexibility to access business applications, data, and resources from virtually anywhere, using any device.
While Microsoft 365 does offer built-in MDM capabilities, you might be wondering, ‘Why choose Intune?’
It’s a question worth exploring. By delving into the specific benefits of Intune, we can shed light on why businesses of all sizes prefer this dedicated MDM solution over the basic features included in Microsoft 365.
From comprehensive security to seamless device management, Intune delivers far beyond the essentials, catering to a wide range of business needs. So, let’s uncover the key advantages that make Intune a standout choice for mobile device management.
1. Intune is Compatible With All Your Employees’ Devices
Presuming that your IT team needs to manually handle each and every employee device for security reasons? With Microsoft Intune, that’s no longer necessary.
Intune boast extensive compatibility across a multitude of devices, making it easier than ever for your team to manage device security. This versatile platform offers automatic enrolment (which requires Azure AD Premium), allowing you IT admin to manage devices efficiently.
Additionally, bulk enrolment is made possible with Azure AD Premium and Windows Configuration Designer, providing streamlined a streamlined solution for enhanced business-wide security.
But it doesn’t stop there. Intune laos empowers you to set up add protection policies. This feature safeguards your company data, all without needing full control over employee devices. How? Simply log into Intune, navigate to Device Compliance, select Policies and Create Policy, then save your changes. It’s that simple.
2. Allow or Deny User Access
Microsoft Intune’s advanced security management features offer optimal control, even for small businesses and start-ups. It empowers administrators with the ability to establish Wi-Fi profiles with pre-shaped keys and resolve certificate chains without individual deployment.
Moreover, Intune provides the flexibility to restrict access to specific apps or URLs, adding an additional layer of security.
A significant concern for many businesses is personal apps inadvertently accessing company information, including sensitive data like passwords. With Intune in your arsenal, you can put those worries to rest.
Integrated with Azure Active Directory, Intune ensures only managed apps can corporate email and other Microsoft 365 services. This app-based conditional access restricts your company data exclusively to apps your business has enrolled with Intune.
What’s more, Intune app protection policies can be applied to both company-owned and personal employee devices. This dual coverage ensures comprehensive security, keeping your business information as secure as possible. With Intune, managing access and enhancing your company’s security management is both effective and straightforward.
3. Easily Deploy Software and Updates to Your Business Devices
Microsoft Intune isn’t just for Windows. It showcases its versatility with compatibility across all major operating systems, including Mac OS X, Android, and iOS. The ability to manage devices on all these platforms through Intune’s cloud-based service makes it a valuable investment.
Intune’s real magic lies in its capacity to deploy software and updates effortlessly across your business devices. Employee can seamlessly switch between their desktop and mobile devices without compromising the company’s security. This feature is critical in today’s increasingly flexible work environment, where employees may work from multiple locations and devices.
Whether in a meeting room, at a job site, at home, or on the move, your team can stay connected and secure with Intune. Moreover, with the rise of remote working, Intune’s ability to effortlessly manage software deployment and updates is more relevant than ever. Investing in Intune means a hassle-free, secure and versatile digital workspace.
4. Embrace the Cloud: No On-Site Maintenance Required
The need for onsite server maintenance can be a drain on your resources. Luckily, with Microsoft Intune, you can free up your team to focus on what truly matters to your business. Because Intune is cloud based, Microsoft handles all the heavy lifting such as server maintenance and upgrades. And with Microsoft’s globally scalable cloud architecture, you can rest easy knowing it’s always up-to-date.
Intune extends the functionality of Microsoft System Centre Configuration manager into the Windows Azure cloud. This means your business doesn’t need to maintain on-premise servers. This approach not only saves time, but also reduces the risk of potential security vulnerabilities associated with on-site server maintenance.
Moreover, Intune has taken convenience a step further by introducing single sign-on for its Intune managed browser application on both iOS and Android platforms. This feature allows your employees to access all necessary web applications securely, irrespective of their location or device, while remaining under Intune’s protective umbrella. The only requirement is a connection to Azure Active Directory.
5. Save Time As You Don’t Need to Individually Set Up Each Device
Save your IT guys time and headaches. Intune means there’s no need to deal with each individual device when it’s time for updates and software rollouts. Intune enables you to deploy software across all enrolled devices. Easily control updates so every user is running up-to-date apps and software. Licensing can be tracked, and you’re able to collect information about hardware configurations and software installations on managed computers.
You can configure Windows Update for Business using Intune. Both feature updates (major, semi-annual updates) and quality updates (monthly updates that reduce patching issues) can be set up through Intune. You can also set up a variety of other Windows updates to suit the kind of business you’re running, offering a world on benefits and easy-to-use solutions for your employees.
6. Centralised Control: No Need for Additional Infrastructure
One of the main advantages of using Microsoft Intune is its centralised control feature. With Intune, you have the ability to manage all your devices, including PCs, Macs, and mobile devices, from a cloud-based platform. This eliminates the need for any additional physical infrastructure.
What does this mean for you? Savings of both time and money as removes the need for hardware planning and maintenance.
As a pivotal component of the Microsoft Enterprise Mobility Suite (EMS), Intune provides not only device management but also encompasses data protection, threat detection, and identity management services, all managed from the cloud. This integrated approach ensure a high level of security and control over your devices and data.
Furthermore, if you choose to connect Intune with the configuration manager, you gain the ability to manage all your devices from a single console. This unified management capability allows your IT administrator to execute crucial security operations, such as remote passcode resetting, device locking or wiping, data encryption, and disabling specific device features like cameras or network roaming. With Intune, your device management is not just efficient but also comprehensive and secure.
7. Enjoy Better Control Over the Security and Applications in Your Business
As an Intune admin in your business, you have a great deal of control across all users and devices. This means you can expect more security and update management. Admins can use Microsoft Intune management to control computers running any version of Windows. Admins can configure anti-malware, firewall policies, and update virus definitions. The best part is that Intune can also manage Microsoft mobile apps, meaning admins can restrict actions such as copy and paste, even if a user is trying to paste something into a personal app that IT has no jurisdiction over.
Intune is also a fantastic choice if you have devices that are shared between employees, such as limited-use shared tablets (often used in retail businesses). With Intune, you can easily configure your device to be used in limited-use mode in order to bulk provision, secure, and centrally manage shared iOS and Android devices. Likewise, you’ll be given peace of mind that your company data is safe if an employee tries to sign in on a public device, such as a public computer at a trade show or in a library. Intune lets you limit email access to devices that are managed by your organisation, meaning no company email accounts can be accidentally left open in public areas.
8. Meet Legal and Company-Assigned Cyber Security Requirements
Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed with the constant stream of information and legalities regarding cyber security? With extensive security controls and features that can be managed by approved administrators, Intune seamlessly enables you to meet your cyber security goals. Data protection, access restriction, encryption, and anti-malware are all manageable remotely from the admin console. Here, you have a system that performs safely and securely without any extra work from you.
These cyber-security measurements are applicable to your staffs’ company-owned and personal devices. Your company can make sure that all these devices are set up with Intune before any work applications, company email accounts, or company files can be accessed. If the compliance state of a user changes, you can use Azure AD to allow or block them in real-time. This protects both company and personal information, as only known healthy devices can enter the network.
If you’re having trouble working out your cyber-security requirements, start by checking out Understanding the Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme.
9. Gives Employees Access to Business Apps
Have you created your own internal apps for business functionality? Awesome! The good news is that Intune will work with you to give your employees access. Admins can deploy your internal line of business apps to all employees across any devices they may use for work purposes.
Not every employee may need access to every business app. You should determine the apps and capabilities your workforce needs and who needs them. An Intune admin can then manage these permissions and determine which apps a group can use, as well as the capabilities needed for each group and subgroup. After you add a new app, you simply assign a group of users who can access and use this app. You can learn about the different app types in Microsoft Intune here.
10. Be a Part of Microsoft’s Enterprise Mobility + Security Suite
Intune has the advantage of being a part of the Microsoft Enterprise Mobility and Security (EMS) suite (welcome on board, we love it!). This offers a level of integration that cannot be achieved by standalone products. The EMS suite is another one of Microsoft’s service packages, centred around mobile-device management, apps, and identity-access management. It incorporates much more than just Intune. It helps to protect and secure your organisation, while providing that perfect balance between great user experience and high-level security.
Intune is included in Enterprise Mobility + Security E3 subscriptions and Enterprise Mobility + Security E5 subscriptions. This means you get access to the best security and data control possible. In a world where BYO devices are common in workplaces and mobility is key, having the added security of E5 is a major reason why companies turn to Intune for their security and information protection solutions.
11. Embracing the Zero Trust Security Approach
Adopting a ‘Zero Trust’ security model has increasingly become a necessity for all businesses. Microsoft Intune, as part of the broader Microsoft security ecosystem, fully supports this Zero Trust approach.
So what does ‘Zero Trust’ mean? It essentially translates to ‘never trust, always verify’.
Intune treats every request as if it originates from an untrusted network, regardless of its actual source or network location. This approach secures your business from potential threats by ensuring all access requests undergo stringent security checks before being granted.
With Intune, you can implement this Zero Trust model across all business devices. It verifies every access request, whether it’s coming from inside your organisation or from an external source. This approach not only adds a layer of security but also ensures that your data and applications remain secure even if a device or user’s credentials are compromised.
12. Unlock Insights With Detailed Reporting and Analytics
Data is the lifeblood of decision making in businesses. Managing your mobile devices should be no different. Microsoft Intune’s robust reporting and analytics capabilities can provide critical insights that empower your organisation to make informed decisions regarding your mobile device and application management strategies.
Through its detailed reporting feature, Intune gives you a holistic view of device compliance across your business. It allows you to monitor whether devices meet the security and health standards set by your company policies. Any device that falls out of compliance can be easily identified and rectified, ensuring that your security posture remains uncompromised.
In addition to compliance tracking, Intune offers app usage analytics. With this feature, you can gain a deep understanding of how employees are interacting with corporate applications. This can help you identify trends, monitor productivity, and uncover opportunities for process improvement.
Lasty, Intune provides visibility into security incidents involving your devices. In the event of a potential threat or breach, Intune’s security incident reporting can help you identify the issue, quickly respond, and mitigate the impact on your business.
With these powerful reporting and analytical capabilities, Intune goes beyond being a tool for managing your devices. Rather, it becomes a strategic asset that supports data-driven decision-making and helps optimise your mobile device and application management strategy.
13. Streamlined IT Operations and Reduced Workload
Microsoft Intune can enhance operational efficiency for businesses by streamlining mobile device management. Its automated processes for deploying, managing, and securing devices reduce the need for extensive manual oversight, allowing you to focus on core business activities.
The automation capabilities of Intune in device management are transformative. It handles tasks like device setup and software updates effortlessly, ensuring consistency and compliance across your organisation. This not only speeds up the deployment process but also minimises the effort and resources required for routine management.
Intune’s efficiency benefits extend beyond just time and cost savings. by automating routine tasks, it allows your business to redirect its focus on new markets, or innovating products and services. This shift can significantly impact your company’s edge and market position.
Additionally, automation in Intune minimises the risk of human error in device management. It ensure that devices are managed uniformly, adhering to the company’s policies and standards. This uniformity is critical for maintaining both security and operational efficiency, providing peace of mind for businesses concerned about data protection and compliance.
14. Improved Device Lifecycle Management
Microsoft Intune excels in managing the entire lifecycle of a device, from enrolment to retirement. This ensures optimal performance and security throughout the device’s usage.
The process starts with efficient enrolment, setting up devices with necessary settings, applications, and security measures. During usage, Intune consistently manages and updates devices to stay compliant with security and company policies.
As devices reach the end of their life, Intune aids in securely wiping company data and safely decommissioning them, maintaining data security and compliance.
This lifecycle management by Intune is crucial for businesses to keep devices secure and up-to-date, and responsibly manage until retirement.
15. Proactive Compliance Management
Intune is a great tool aiding businesses in proactively managing compliance through its reporting and analytics capabilities. These features enable your business to regularly monitor and ensure that devices adhere to industry regulations and internal policies.
Intune’s compliance management tools are designed to pre-emptively identify and address compliance issues before they escalate into legal or financial challenges. The system’s analytics can detect deviations from compliance standards, allowing your business to take corrective action swiftly.
By maintaining continuous compliance, your business can avoid the risks and costs associated with non-compliance, such as legal penalties and reputational damage. Intune’s proactive approach to compliance management is a key asset for organisations striving to maintain high standards of data security and regulatory adherence.
16. Enhanced Employee Productivity and Satisfaction
Microsoft Intune can enhance employee productivity and satisfaction by accommodating the use of preferred personal devices at work while ensuring secure and seamless access to necessary applications. This flexibility, often part of a BYOD policy, is highly valued by employees who are comfortable with their personal devices and prefer using them over company-issued ones.
Intune streamlines the user experience, making it easier for employees to access the tools and information they need without compromising security. This accessibility is crucial for productivity, as employees can work efficiently without being hindered by technical issues or restrictive policies.
Moreover, employees who are satisfied with their work environment and tools are more engaged, motivated, and productive. Intune’s ability to balance security with usability plays a significant role in fostering a positive work environment, ultimately benefiting the overall productivity of your organisation.
17. Cost-Effectiveness
Microsoft Intune is a cost-effective solution for businesses, as it reduces the need for physical infrastructure and streamlines operations. By managing devices through a cloud-based platform, Intune eliminates the need for significant investment in hardware and maintenance related to on-premise IT management systems.
The reduction in physical infrastructure generally leads to lower IT costs, not just in terms of equipment but also in terms of the labour required for maintenance and management. This shift allows businesses to allocate their resources more effectively, focusing on strategic investments that can drive growth rather than on maintaining IT infrastructure.
Additionally, Intune’s streamlined management capabilities save time and resources by automating routine tasks and simplifying complex IT processes. This efficiency reduces the overall operational costs and contributes to a leaner, more agile business model.
Conclusion
Intune is the cloud-based solution for your mobile-device-management needs. Overall, it provides a much more in-depth function than the built-in MDM service within Microsoft 365. It can also come as a part of the entire Enterprise Mobility + Security package. The result? Seamless integration and comprehensive functionality.
With businesses relying on mobile devices more and more, as well as a more popular BYO device approach, you really need a tool that provides a fuller service without draining your time and resources. Remote configuration, device updating, and security control are all a breeze with Intune. Not only can employees enjoy a simplified user experience, Intune makes the most sensible choice for managing your mobile business needs.
Businesses need to be cyber security resilient. Even if you think you’re on top of your cybersecurity strategy, their may be gaps. It’s time to refresh your security with Intune! Contact Stanfield IT today and we’ll walk you through everything we can do for your business when we get you on board with Microsoft Intune. If you already have Intune, please let us know if you have any questions regarding how you’re using it.