Managing devices across a modern business is more complex than it used to be. Employees work from offices, homes, job sites, and the road. They use company-owned laptops, personal phones, and tablets. Microsoft Intune is the endpoint management platform that ties all of this together, giving businesses centralized control over devices, applications, and security policies regardless of where the device is located.
For companies already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, Intune integrates natively with Microsoft 365, Azure Active Directory (now Entra ID), and Defender for Endpoint. It is included in several Microsoft 365 licensing tiers and available as a standalone subscription, making it accessible to businesses of nearly any size.
What Is Microsoft Intune?
Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based endpoint management service. It allows IT administrators to manage and secure the devices that access company data, including Windows PCs, macOS devices, iOS and Android phones, and tablets. Intune handles device enrollment, configuration, compliance enforcement, application deployment, and data protection, all from a single web-based console.
Unlike traditional device management tools that required on-premises servers and complex infrastructure, Intune operates entirely in the cloud. There is no hardware to maintain, no VPN dependency for management traffic, and updates are delivered automatically by Microsoft. This makes Intune particularly well-suited for businesses with remote or hybrid workforces.
Intune is part of the broader Microsoft Intune Suite, which also includes advanced capabilities for endpoint analytics, remote help, privilege management, and more. For most businesses, the core Intune functionality provides everything needed to manage devices effectively.
Intune Plan 1 vs. Plan 2
Microsoft offers Intune in two primary tiers. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right level of functionality for your organization.
Intune Plan 1
Intune Plan 1 is the standard tier included with Microsoft 365 Business Premium, E3, and E5 licenses. It covers the core endpoint management capabilities most businesses need:
- Device enrollment and management for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices, including both corporate-owned and bring-your-own-device (BYOD) scenarios.
- Application management including deploying, updating, and removing apps from managed devices. Supports Microsoft Store apps, line-of-business apps, and web apps.
- Compliance policies that check devices against security requirements like encryption status, OS version, and password complexity. Non-compliant devices can be blocked from accessing corporate resources.
- Conditional Access integration with Azure AD/Entra ID to enforce rules like requiring a compliant device before granting access to email or SharePoint.
- Configuration profiles that push settings to devices, such as Wi-Fi configurations, VPN settings, email accounts, and security baselines.
- Remote actions including device wipe, remote lock, passcode reset, and retire.
For most small and mid-sized businesses, Plan 1 provides comprehensive device management without the need for additional licensing.
Intune Plan 2
Intune Plan 2 is an add-on that builds on Plan 1 with advanced capabilities targeted at organizations with more complex requirements:
- Microsoft Tunnel for Mobile Application Management provides VPN-like connectivity for mobile apps on unmanaged personal devices, without requiring full device enrollment.
- Endpoint Privilege Management allows standard users to perform tasks that normally require admin rights, with IT maintaining control over which elevations are permitted.
- Advanced endpoint analytics with device query capabilities, anomaly detection, and enhanced reporting.
- Firmware-over-the-air (FOTA) updates for managing firmware on certain Android device manufacturers.
Plan 2 is typically relevant for larger enterprises or organizations in regulated industries that need granular control over privilege escalation and advanced mobile security.
Key Features for Business Deployment
Beyond the plan comparison, several Intune features deserve attention when planning a deployment.
Autopilot for Zero-Touch Deployment
Windows Autopilot allows new devices to be shipped directly to employees and configured automatically when they sign in for the first time. The device connects to Intune, downloads its configuration profile, installs required applications, and applies compliance policies without IT ever touching the hardware. This eliminates the traditional imaging process and dramatically reduces the time from unboxing to productive use.
App Protection Policies
App protection policies (APP) protect company data at the application level, even on devices that are not fully enrolled in Intune. This is particularly valuable for BYOD scenarios. You can prevent users from copying company data out of managed apps, require a PIN to open Outlook, or selectively wipe company data from an app without affecting the user's personal information.
Security Baselines
Intune includes preconfigured security baselines that align with Microsoft's recommended security settings for Windows, Microsoft Edge, Microsoft 365 Apps, and Defender for Endpoint. These baselines provide a strong starting point for device configuration and can be customized to match your organization's specific requirements.
Update Management
Intune manages Windows Update for Business, allowing IT to control update rings, deferral periods, and deployment schedules. This prevents devices from falling behind on patches while giving the organization time to test updates before broad deployment. Combined with compliance policies, you can ensure that devices with outdated software are blocked from accessing corporate resources until they are current.
Deployment Steps
Rolling out Intune follows a logical progression. These steps apply whether you are deploying to 20 devices or 2,000.
- Set up your tenant. Configure your Intune tenant in the Microsoft Intune admin center. Connect it to your Azure AD/Entra ID tenant and set up your company branding for the enrollment experience.
- Define compliance policies. Establish what a compliant device looks like for your organization. At minimum, require device encryption, a current operating system, and a screen lock.
- Create configuration profiles. Build profiles for Wi-Fi, VPN, email, and security settings. Start with Microsoft's security baselines and adjust as needed.
- Configure Conditional Access. Set up Conditional Access policies in Azure AD/Entra ID that require device compliance before granting access to Microsoft 365 services. This is the enforcement mechanism that makes Intune policies meaningful.
- Enroll devices. For corporate-owned Windows devices, use Autopilot. For existing devices, use bulk enrollment or user-initiated enrollment. For mobile devices, direct users to install the Company Portal app and sign in.
- Deploy applications. Push required applications to devices based on group membership. Microsoft 365 Apps, line-of-business tools, and security software should be deployed automatically.
- Monitor and iterate. Use Intune's built-in reporting to track compliance rates, enrollment status, and policy conflicts. Refine your policies based on real-world data.
How MSPs Manage Intune for Clients
For businesses without dedicated IT staff, a managed IT services provider can handle the full Intune lifecycle. This includes initial tenant configuration, policy design, device enrollment, application deployment, ongoing monitoring, and troubleshooting.
MSPs operate multi-tenant management consoles that allow them to administer Intune across multiple client organizations efficiently. They bring experience from deploying Intune across varied environments, which means faster implementation and fewer missteps. They also handle the ongoing work of maintaining policies, responding to compliance alerts, and adapting configurations as your business evolves.
Whether you are starting from scratch or migrating from an on-premises management tool like SCCM, partnering with an MSP can significantly reduce the complexity and risk of your Intune deployment.
If you are considering Microsoft Intune for your business, Unio Digital's Microsoft services team can help you plan, deploy, and manage your endpoint management environment.
