Whether your agency’s computer assets are located on-premises, in service remotely at alternative worksites, or used out in the field, Windows Intune simplifies management through cloud-based capabilities. The Intune web-based administrative console enables your IT team to easily inventory your agency’s hardware and software, manage licenses, and ensure compliance—even for computers that have traditionally been difficult to keep track of because they rarely, if ever, connect via a corporate network.

Intune reporting tools open a window into your computing environment that lets administrators analyze and understand user needs. Computers with the Intune client installed can be monitored individually or grouped by location, department, hardware type, or whatever works best for you. With these insights, it’s easier to provide user assistance, proactively guard against malware, and deploy updates and service packs. The same technologies used in Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection and Microsoft Security Essentials provide real-time protection and alerts to help defend PCs against the latest security threats.

By standardizing your agency’s PC environment, you optimize the computing experience for your workforce while making life a lot easier for your IT team. Windows Intune is compatible with Windows Vista and even Windows XP, but Windows 7 Enterprise takes fullest advantage of improvements in performance, reliability, and security. Windows 7 Enterprise reduces hassles and complexity both for end users and system administrators. Improvements in search can reduce frustration in finding just what you need. New safety features safeguard against data theft, loss, or accidental erasure. And Windows 7 Enterprise builds on an already strong security foundation by adding more defenses against online and offline threats.

Combining PC management, industry-leading endpoint protection, and Windows upgrade, Windows Intune is an integrated, end-to-end solution available in one easy subscription. Because the Windows Intune cloud service is hosted by Microsoft, there’s no costly server setup, additional infrastructure, or training required, so your agency can start managing and protecting its PCs quickly and inexpensively. Overhead and maintenance costs remain minimal, and a monthly billing cycle makes budgeting predictable.

As your agency takes increasing advantage of cloud-based services, you may also find that Windows Intune presents a logical opportunity to outsource your general PC maintenance to a solution provider. Intune remote-management capabilities make this a cost-effective option that can further lighten the demands on internal IT resources.

The Windows Intune subscription includes automatic updates to Windows Intune and to your Windows operating system(s), in addition to the rights to upgrade to future versions of Windows (with the same benefits of the Microsoft Software Assurance program). Finally, the Windows Intune subscription includes the option to purchase the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) add-on, a set of six advanced, on-site desktop-management tools that can help further enhance security and control.