At Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC10), Microsoft unveiled Windows Intune Beta 2, the latest test release of the company's remote management platform. With Beta 2, MSPs can now more easily jump from one managed customer account to the next, Microsoft says, But will Microsoft make an aggressive managed services push with Windows Intune? Here are some perspectives.

Joe Panettieri, Former Editorial Director

July 12, 2010

1 Min Read
WPC10: Microsoft Demos Windows Intune for Managed Services

wpc10 Windows Intune

At Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC10), Microsoft unveiled Windows Intune Beta 2, the latest test release of the company’s remote management platform. With Beta 2, MSPs can now more easily jump from one managed customer account to the next, Microsoft says, But will Microsoft make an aggressive managed services push with Windows Intune? Here are some perspectives.

During a demo, Microsoft pointed out that Windows Intune gives MSPs and VARs “insight into customers’ PCs and computing environments.” Windows Intune takes inventory of customers’ desktop and mobile systems, identifying which Windows releases and applications the systems are running.  “You can really manage PCs anywhere,” a Microsoft representative asserted.

Still, will Microsoft really spend heavy time promoting Windows Intune to MSPs? And will Windows Intune compete with rival remote monitoring and management (RMM) platforms? Here’s a reality check: During today’s WPC10 keynotes, the Windows Intune demonstration occupied a scant 5 minutes of a three-hour Microsoft presentation. Most of the discussion focused on Steve Ballmer’s cloud vision.

There are plenty of Windows Intune banners here at the conference. And it sounds like Microsoft continues to build out the Windows Intune feature set. But I’m curious to know when it will arrive as a fully-baked SaaS service for channel partners.

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About the Author(s)

Joe Panettieri

Former Editorial Director, Nine Lives Media, a division of Penton Media

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