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Windows Intune 3 cloud-based PC management service is now available in beta. This version of Intune adds mobile device management, Active Directory integration, a new user portal, and other features.
Mobile device management: Windows Intune 3 will now manage mobile devices as well as Windows-based PCs. These include Android, iOS and Windows Phone devices. The management model is based on Exchange ActiveSync (EAS), so presumably other device types would work as well, including Windows RT (ARM) based tablets. For Android and iOS devices, which support side-loading of apps, you can even push custom apps to the devices. (Because of Windows Phone's current security model, this is not possible for current generation devices.)
Active Directory integration: Windows Intune v3 will integrate with Windows Azure Active Directory, the same directory service that is used by Office 365. This means you will be able to integrate Intune with your existing AD infrastructure and sync pre-existing users and security groups to the service and then manage them through Intune. In previous versions, you had to manually recreate users and groups inside of Intune, which existed solely outside of any AD infrastructure you may have. (AD integration is not available during the beta because the beta Intune environment will disappear when the new version of the service goes live later this year; Microsoft doesnt want customers tying their infrastructure to a beta and temporary service.)
User portal: Windows Intune 3 sports an excellent new portal for end users, which provides a new method for deploying software. While you can still push software to end user machines, you can also opt to simply make it available. Then, users can browse the portal and discover the new software, trigger the install themselves. The portal has a simple, Metro-y look to it. The portal provides other capabilities, too. Users can remotely install software to other connected PCs, enroll their mobile devices with the service, and access Help desk and Remote Assistance capabilities.
Signup for Windows Intune 3 beta (hurry, limited time offer)
Clik here to view.
Windows Intune 3 cloud-based PC management service is now available in beta. This version of Intune adds mobile device management, Active Directory integration, a new user portal, and other features.
Mobile device management: Windows Intune 3 will now manage mobile devices as well as Windows-based PCs. These include Android, iOS and Windows Phone devices. The management model is based on Exchange ActiveSync (EAS), so presumably other device types would work as well, including Windows RT (ARM) based tablets. For Android and iOS devices, which support side-loading of apps, you can even push custom apps to the devices. (Because of Windows Phone's current security model, this is not possible for current generation devices.)
Active Directory integration: Windows Intune v3 will integrate with Windows Azure Active Directory, the same directory service that is used by Office 365. This means you will be able to integrate Intune with your existing AD infrastructure and sync pre-existing users and security groups to the service and then manage them through Intune. In previous versions, you had to manually recreate users and groups inside of Intune, which existed solely outside of any AD infrastructure you may have. (AD integration is not available during the beta because the beta Intune environment will disappear when the new version of the service goes live later this year; Microsoft doesnt want customers tying their infrastructure to a beta and temporary service.)
User portal: Windows Intune 3 sports an excellent new portal for end users, which provides a new method for deploying software. While you can still push software to end user machines, you can also opt to simply make it available. Then, users can browse the portal and discover the new software, trigger the install themselves. The portal has a simple, Metro-y look to it. The portal provides other capabilities, too. Users can remotely install software to other connected PCs, enroll their mobile devices with the service, and access Help desk and Remote Assistance capabilities.
Signup for Windows Intune 3 beta (hurry, limited time offer)
