Since its inception as Windows Azure back in 2010, the Microsoft Azure cloud has seen significant changes. It hosts both public and private cloud services. It supports compute, storage, and networking workloads from all over the world. Recent additions such as Azure Stack (i.e., a solution for running Microsoft hypervisors in your own data center) and Azure Transition Service (which simplifies the migration of IT infrastructures to Azure) have broadened the platform’s reach and helped build its market share in the highly competitive infrastructure-as-a-service and platform-as-a-service spaces.
According to a report by Synergy Research, Azure had a 11 percent market share in the combined IaaS/PaaS and hosted private clouds segments as of August 2016. This placed it second behind Amazon Web Services. Azure’s year-over-year growth was also 100 percent in 2015 and 2016, which was higher than the 53 percent for AWS. Looking ahead, Azure may be able to further expand its customer base through targeted offerings such as Azure Intune for mobile device management/enterprise mobility management (MDM/EMM).
What is Azure Intune?
Azure Intune, originally Windows Intune, is a cloud-based utility that manages all the user-facing assets of an organization, including its smartphones and tablets as well as business software. It is a popular MDM/EMM system because of its key components.
It integrates with Azure Active Directory and can be configured for auto-enrollment of mobile devices – corporateissued or personal – in MDM/EMM. Microsoft calls it an integrated console for enterprise mobility. Intune also allows for more precise policy management through new Device Type Restrictions, Device Limit Restrictions, and Device Type Restrictions. These rules replace the old blanket Windows and macOS device restrictions in the classic console. The Azure portal is HTML-based and offers an HTML-based console, support of the Microsoft Graph API, and easy MDM/EMM for companies already invested in the Microsoft product ecosystem. Intune, for example, simplifies the management and deployment of mobile Office apps. Microsoft began previews and trials of Intune in the Azure portal back in December 2016. It is currently moving all Intune functionality to Azure. Microsoft’s commitment to cloud computing makes the move to Azure logical. What does the Intune transition mean for IT staff? Let’s take a look at the technical and business benefits of Intune, which is hosted on Azure.
Consistent management across multiple platforms
Windows accounted for over 90 percent of personal computing devices at its peak in 2000. You almost certainly needed a computer to connect to the internet in 2004 and 2005.
But, if you flash forward to 2017, the picture looks very different. There are many Android and iOS devices and macOS is on the rise. StatCounter tracked internet usage on Android in March 2017. This was the first time that Android had surpassed Windows.
Intune is compatible with Windows, Windows Mobile and Android, as well as iOS, iOS, and macOS devices. It offers secure unified management regardless of which platform your company uses.
No licensing or infrastructure required
Intune is now hosted on the Azure cloud. This eliminates the need to have expensive and complex hardware and software. The cloud allows you to manage devices with the same functionality as the console, but with much more flexibility.
“Azure Intune” users also have access to simplified, cost-effective licensing.
Azure Intune users have access to simplified, cost-effective licensing without the need to count individual devices. Enterprise Mobility + Security subscribers include Intune along with Azure Active Directory Premium, Azure Rights Management, and Azure Rights Management.
System Center Configuration Manager can also be used to integrate Intune deployments. It can provide comprehensive monitoring of all devices on-premises as well as in the cloud.
Microsoft provides reliable support
All Intune subscriptions include 24/7 technical support by Microsoft via chat or phone. Intune works well with Office mobile apps, Outlook, Exchange, and OneDrive for Business. It helps to secure corporate data.
IT workers can start their career in managing Intune or other Azure services by enrolling for classes at New Horizons Computer Learning Centers.
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