The Advantages of Using Microsoft Intune

Today’s remote/hybrid working patterns have seen devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets become essential tools for many employees to stay productive and connected. However, they also introduce new security and manageability challenges for businesses.

It is essential for employees to be able to work from any location and have secure access to necessary resources. This creates a headache for administrators who must prioritise protecting organisational data, managing end-user access, and supporting users no matter where they are working from.

Endpoint management solutions such as Microsoft Intune help organisations secure and manage their devices, while allowing employees to work more efficiently.

38%

of people are already using a hybrid working model – Source

52%

of people are considering transition to hybrid work – Source

50%

of people use a personal device for work purposes – Source

What is Microsoft Intune?

Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based endpoint management solution that enables businesses to monitor, manage and secure users, applications and company data across devices running Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS and Windows.

Administrators can use Intune to manage device settings, distribute and manage apps, and enforce device and data security policies all from a single cloud-based console, giving them far greater control over company data on both company-owned and personally owned devices, regardless of user location.

Advantages of Microsoft Intune:

Centralised cloud-based management

The ability to view and manage all end user devices from a single console is one of the most significant benefits of using Microsoft Intune. This enables administrators to deploy apps, update settings, and enforce policies across all devices quickly and easily. This centralised approach aids in ensuring that all devices are up to date and in accordance with organisational policies, regardless of working location.

Device Provisioning, Configuration and Security

Device provisioning can be challenging, particularly for remote workers, Intune integrates with vendor zero-touch provisioning capabilities to allow for the provisioning of company-owned Android, iOS and Windows devices, regardless of location, allowing for devices to be provisioned out-of-the-box both within and remote from corporate offices.

Once provisioned, Microsoft Intune allows for the application and reporting of device configuration and security settings to protect devices and the data they contain. Certificates, passcode requirements, device encryption, and the ability to remotely wipe corporate data, or the entire device if devices are lost or stolen are among the features available.

App management and Protection

Managing apps can be difficult for businesses, especially as the number of apps used by employees grows. Microsoft Intune simplifies app management by enabling administrators to distribute and update apps across all managed devices.

Intune can also protect company data access from applications regardless of device management, securing applications to ensure company data cannot be leaked from those applications. This ensures that all users have access to the apps they require to be productive, whilst ensuring those apps are secure and access to company data complies with organisational policies.

Application and Device based Access Controls

Administrators can use Microsoft Intune to provide app protection policies and device compliance state that can be evaluated by Azure AD Conditional Access policies to ensure apps and devices are in an acceptable state before users can access corporate resources.

To access company email, for example, a user may be required to be using a company managed device or use a company managed application. This helps to ensure that sensitive data is only accessed by authorised users.

Integration with other Microsoft services

Microsoft Intune is included in Microsoft 365 and works with other Microsoft services, including Azure Active Directory Conditional Access, Microsoft Configuration Manager and Microsoft Defender. This provides administrators and users with a consistent experience and makes it simple to manage all aspects of device management and security from a single console.

Recent Project

We recently completed a project with our client B+M, a leading Scottish law firm who needed a solution that guaranteed their devices complied with stringent security & compliance requirements.

They had recently replaced company handsets and chose Microsoft Intune to automatically deploy company configuration policies and applications to each device straight out of the box.

The benefits of adopting Intune for this project were:

It integrates well with other Microsoft products B+M already use and third-party systems such as Apple Business.

Supports all major operating systems. Although this focussed on iOS, Intune allows B+M to support all personal handsets.

It was included in B+M’s existing Microsoft 365 licenses and required no on-premises infrastructure, minimising cost.

To learn more about the project, click here.

Conclusion

Mobile devices have become essential tools for many employees, but they also present new security challenges to businesses.

Microsoft Intune is a robust and secure platform that can help businesses manage and secure devices and applications while also allowing employees to work more efficiently. With an increasing number of employees working remotely, businesses require solutions that provide greater convenience while maintaining security.

Intune streamlines app deployment across all devices while safeguarding corporate data, and its robust security features, app management, and configuration management ensure consistent device configuration and security.

Furthermore, Intune’s integration with other Microsoft services makes it an indispensable tool for businesses seeking to improve cloud efficiency and employee productivity.

Why Quorum?

We are Microsoft Intune deployment experts who understand that implementing a new technology can be difficult, but with our experience and knowledge, we can make the process simple and stress-free.

Our team of experts will collaborate with you to fully understand your business requirements and tailor the Microsoft Intune implementation to meet those requirements. We will walk you through the entire process, from planning to deployment, to ensure you are fully prepared to take advantage of Microsoft Intune’s capabilities.

With our help, you can be confident that you are making the most of your investment in Microsoft Intune.