Intune Update Adds Software Distribution

The second version of Windows Intune, Microsoft’s online subscription service for managing PCs, became available on Oct. 17, 2011. The new version can distribute custom or third-party software and patches in addition to Microsoft updates, and includes improvements to administration and reporting. The improvements will help organizations maintain Microsoft and other software using the same process, and allow organizations to monitor, update, protect, and manage Windows PCs using online services hosted in Microsoft data centers rather than using an on-premises management and security infrastructure.

Software Distribution Expanded

Intune, initially released in Mar. 2011, is a Microsoft Online subscription service for Windows PCs that is hosted at Microsoft but operated by customer administrators or managed service providers. Intune combines the monitoring and management functionality of System Center products such as Configuration Manager and Operations Manager, with Desktop Optimization Pack PC diagnostic and inventory tools, and Forefront malware protection. Intune uses the Internet to communicate with managed PCs; therefore, the PCs do not have to connect to an organization’s internal network to use the service, allowing management of mobile, home, or contractor PCs. The subscription service also offers other benefits, such as upgrade rights to Windows 7 Enterprise and access to other PC diagnostic and management tools.