To remain competitive, employees in businesses need technology they can rely on, 24/7. It’s a business necessity - yet PC management is sadly lacking in many companies, according to Microsoft Windows Client Product Manager, Aileen Hannah. She explains to Paul Curran how the imminent release of Windows Intune will allow businesses to maximise their PC estate even without in-house IT support.

Q: What is Windows Intune?

Windows Intune is an online service that simplifies how businesses manage and secure their PCs using Windows cloud services. By subscribing to the service, they receive cloud management and malware protection, plus upgrades to Windows 7 Enterprise (and future versions) - all in one monthly subscription. It gives them a simple, low-cost way to manage and secure their PCs - allowing both systems and employees to perform at their very best. It solves administration problems like:

  • Patch and antivirus management
  • Troubleshooting and problem-solving
  • Centralised control over patches and security updates
  • Monitoring what’s on all PCs in terms of hardware spec and software installed.

There’s no additional hardware or software, because Windows Intune uses Windows Cloud services, plus it gives you a subscription licence to Windows 7, but you can also standardise on Windows Vista or Windows XP if you prefer. PC management and security is managed through a single Web-based console.

Q: Why will midsize companies want it?

With a million and one other things on their plate, keeping tabs on PCs is a low priority for many mid-size businesses. We find they either have no form of PC management - so to be blunt, they haven’t a clue what’s going on - or they have a solution that only covers their on-premise PCs - which means any ‘maverick’ salesperson out on the road can be a liability. Since Windows Intune is suitable for companies with as few as 25 PCs - and equally those with 500 or more - it offers a scalable solution for all scenarios.

Q: How will it help?

First off, Windows Intune is ideal for organisations with a mobile workforce. They may well have on-site PC management, but to be truly effective, that requires every machine to be regularly attached to the corporate network. PCs out in the field can sometimes go weeks without touching the network - this makes them a high risk to the business because they are unpatched, and there’s no way of knowing what dodgy software employees may be installing.

Then, Windows Intune will suit smaller businesses who have no PC management policy at all. They need a solution because they’ve invariably accumulated a mixed bag of PCs and software, resulting in a very high maintenance IT estate with little or no management skills to support it.

By simply installing an agent on each PC, the Windows Intune cloud-based service will give businesses at both ends of the spectrum peace of mind to know their machines are always fully protected from malware and using the very latest versions of Microsoft software.

Q: What can midsize businesses do with it?

The Windows Intune cloud service helps keep employees productive and secure, in the office or on the road. It means you can:

  • Centrally manage the deployment of Microsoft updates and service packs to all your PCs from the console - freeing up your IT staff

  • Safeguard your PCs from viruses and other threats with centralised protection built on the Microsoft Malware Protection Engine and using the same trusted technologies as can be found in large enterprises: Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection and Microsoft Security Essentials

  • Proactively monitor your PCs and receive alerts on updates and threats, so you can quickly identify and resolve problems with your PCs - before they impact users and your business

  • Call on remote assistance to resolve PC issues - regardless of where you or your staff are

  • Track your hardware and software to better manage your assets, licenses and compliance

  • Set security policies and centrally manage update, firewall and malware protection settings across all of your PCs - even on remote machines outside the corporate network.

Q: Where can I sign up?

Whilst pricing and licensing details are still to be finalised, Windows Intune will be sold like other cloud services from Microsoft - through Microsoft partners and the Microsoft Online Services Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/online/en-gb/windows-intune.mspx. By subscribing to Windows Intune, businesses receive cloud management and malware protection services, upgrades to Windows 7 (subscription rights to the Enterprise Edition and all the benefits of Windows Software Assurance); all in one monthly subscription.

Q: When will the service be available?

A beta program of Windows Intune is currently under way to iron out any bugs. The Public Beta 2 version of the service will be available from 12 July, after which it will be fully released to market ONCE all engineering milestones have been completed. In the meantime, if you are interested in seeing how the service works, you can watch the Windows Intune Overview video.

Standardising your PC estate provides a better experience for staff and an easier environment to manage. With Windows Intune, you can upgrade to Windows 7 Enterprise or run a prior release - it's up to you. As long as you have a qualifying base license on the PC and your subscription remains current, you can upgrade to the latest versions of Windows as they become available, at no extra cost for the software - so you won't need to worry about buying upgrade licenses when the time comes.

For smaller operations with no PC management in place, Windows Intune represents an entry-level, low-cost solution which gives them a wealth of information about their PC estate they don’t have right now. For larger organisations with an existing on-premise solution, it offers greater control over their remote PC estate. In either case, it fits the needs of a business for reliable technology with simplified setup, maintenance and billing.