You’ve likely heard buzzwords like “cloud services” and “mobile device management” floating around, and perhaps “Microsoft Intune” has come up in conversations with your IT provider or tech-savvy colleagues. But what exactly is Intune, and why should you care about it? Let’s break it down in plain English, so you can understand how this tool might benefit your business – without needing a degree in computer science.
The Basics: What is Microsoft Intune?
Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based service that helps businesses manage their devices and applications. Think of it as a central control panel for all the phones, tablets, and computers your team uses for work. It’s part of Microsoft’s broader suite of business tools, integrating seamlessly with other Microsoft 365 products, and is rapidly becoming a core part of how many businesses manage their IT systems.
What Does Intune Do?
Intune’s capabilities can be broken down into three main categories: Device Management, App Management, and Security.
Device Management
Intune gives you control over how company devices such as laptops are used. With Intune, you can set password requirements to ensure all devices have strong, secure passwords. You can control which apps can be installed, preventing potentially harmful or unproductive apps from being used on work devices. Intune also allows you to configure device settings, setting up email, Wi-Fi, VPN, and other settings automatically. Perhaps most crucially, if a device is lost or stolen, you can remotely wipe data from it, protecting your company’s sensitive information.
App Management
When it comes to apps, Intune is your central command centre. You can push necessary apps to all devices, ensuring everyone has the tools they need to do their job effectively. Intune also allows you to control which apps can access company data, keeping your sensitive information safe. It can update apps automatically, keeping everyone on the latest, most secure versions. And when an employee leaves the company, Intune makes it easy to remove business apps and data from their device, protecting your intellectual property.
Security
Security is paramount, and Intune has you covered. Microsoft Intune is a robust solution for managing and securing your organisation’s devices and data. It ensures that all devices are up to date with the latest security patches and updates, reducing vulnerabilities. Intune also integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Defender and other security products, creating a comprehensive security ecosystem. By enforcing policies such as data encryption and remote wipe, Intune protects sensitive information even if a device is lost or stolen. Additionally, it links with Entra ID to manage multi-factor authentication and conditional access policies, preventing unauthorised access to company resources. With Intune, you can confidently safeguard your business data against a wide range of security threats.
Why Should You Care?
Now that we understand what Intune does, let’s talk about why it matters for your business.
Intune offers flexibility, working with both company-owned devices and personal devices in a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) environment. This means you can secure your data whether your team is using company laptops or their own smartphones.
Simplicity is another key benefit. Instead of your IT team dealing with each device individually, they can manage everything from one place. This can save significant time and reduce headaches.
Security is a major advantage of Intune. It allows you to protect your business data without making life difficult for your team. Intune’s security features work in the background, allowing your team to focus on their work rather than wrestling with cumbersome security protocols.
Productivity gets a boost with Intune. By ensuring your team has the right tools and access, wherever they’re working from, Intune provides seamless access to business resources while maintaining control.
Finally, Intune can be cost-effective. By managing devices and apps centrally, you can often reduce your overall IT costs and simplify budgeting.
Is Intune Right for Your Business?
Intune can be particularly useful in several scenarios. If you have a mobile workforce that works from various locations or uses multiple devices, Intune can help keep everyone connected and secure. If you’re concerned about data security (and in this day and age, who isn’t?), Intune provides robust security features to protect your business data.
If you’re tired of hearing about individual device issues and want to simplify your IT management, Intune can streamline your processes. If you’re already using other Microsoft 365 products, Intune integrates seamlessly, creating a cohesive ecosystem. And if you’re supporting a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) environment, Intune allows you to secure company data on personal devices without infringing on employee privacy.
Related: Securing Your Remote Workforce with Entra ID and Intune | Grassroots IT
Real-World Example
Let’s consider a scenario to see how Intune works in practice:
Imagine you run a small marketing agency with 20 employees. Half of your team works in the office, while the others work remotely or at client sites. Some use company laptops, others use their personal devices.
With Intune, you can ensure all devices (company-owned and personal) that access business data have the necessary security measures in place. Your team can easily access the apps and data they need, whether they’re in the office or at a client site. If someone’s device is lost or stolen, your IT team can quickly remove business data from that device. When you onboard a new employee, they can automatically set up the device with all necessary apps and settings. And if an employee leaves, they can remove business apps and data from their device without touching their personal information.
Wrapping Up
Microsoft Intune is a powerful tool that can help streamline your IT management, enhance your security, and boost your team’s productivity. While it may seem complex at first, the benefits it brings to your business can be significant.
Remember, good IT shouldn’t give you headaches – it should solve them. Intune is just one of the many tools that can help make your business technology work for you, not against you.
At Grassroots IT, we’ve been helping businesses like yours leverage tools like Intune for nearly two decades. We understand that every business is unique, and we’re here to help you navigate the world of modern IT solutions. Whether you’re ready to implement Intune or just want to learn more, we’d be happy to chat about how it could work for your specific needs.
Technology should be an enabler for your business, not a barrier. Let’s work together to make sure your IT is helping your business thrive.
