Microsoft is starting to chat quite a bit about Intune, a forthcoming cloud-based platform for remote Windows PC administration. But will Intune become a full-blown managed services platform? And will MSPs plug in? Here are some clues.
Currently in beta, it’s safe to expect Intune buzz during the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (July 11-15, Washington, D.C.). Microsoft says MSPs and end-customers can use the Windows Intune to:
- Manage updates
- Protect PCs from malware
- Proactively monitor PCs
- Provide remote assistance
- Track hardware & software inventory
- Set security policies
You’ll also find an online demo here.
In some ways, Intune sounds like a basic, cloud-based remote monitoring and management platform for PCs running Windows 7 (Enterprise, Ultimate and Professional), Windows Vista (Enterprise, Ultimate and Business) and/or Windows XP Professional (Service Pack 2 or 3). Plus, InTune is based on Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).
Still A Windows World?
But Intune sets up a familiar challenge for MSPs: It’s Windows-centric. Plus the Windows Intune Web console requires a Web browser that supports Silverlight 3.0 — such as Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher.
In recent months, MSPmentor has heard from a flood of readers pushing MSP software providers to support all of the major browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome and even Apple Safari, among others). Plus, MSP platform providers like Kaseya have openly stated that Macs have gained critical mass in SMB settings, so Mac support is now a growing requirement for many MSPs and their software providers.
Frankly, I’m not sure MSPs want “yet another tool” that focuses on a targeted market segment (i.e., Windows desktops). Most of the MSPs I hear from want a single dashboard for supporting all infrastructure — mobile devices, desktops, servers, network systems, Windows, Mac, Linux, applications, etc.
Of course, there are plenty of Microsoft-centric partners and customers in the market. I wonder if Intune will gain critical mass with those folks.
Microsoft has yet to announce Intune pricing. We’ll dig for more information at the Worldwide Partner Conference starting July 11.
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Posted In: Platforms | Software as a Service and Hardware as a Service
Tags: Internet Explorer | Kaseya Managed Services | Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Silverlight 3.0 | Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference
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I think Microsoft has a pretty significant advantage in entering this space as they control the OS being monitored and can take advantage of features way in advance of them being made public. The SaaS nature of this service is also something that will be hard for traditional software companies like Kaseya/NAble/etc to compete with. Whoever does not have a SaaS strategy ready to launch today will be left behind.
I would not want to be in a market where Microsoft has entered and where their entry leverages the Windows OS. Ask Netscape how that went…
Larry: I agree… Microsoft is a fierce competitor. And I appreciate you taking the time to comment. But I think Microsoft vs. MSP platform providers is completely different than Microsoft vs. Netscape.
Reasoning: Bill Gates rallied ALL of Microsoft toward the Internet around 1995. And that effort included a complete effort to compete with (and destroy) Netscape. It was an “ALL IN” strategy vs Netscape and Internet rivals. Plus, Microsoft simply gave Internet Explorer away with Windows 95 and its successors. Windows’ dominance made IE dominant.
In stark contrast, the MSP market is passing interest to Microsoft at best. Microsoft pays some attention to MSPs. But Steve Ballmer is not trying to rally ALL of Microsoft against MSP platform providers. Also, Windows is no longer so dominant. MSPs that focus on pure Windows environments are leaving money — lots of money — on the table. It’s a multi-platform world — Windows, Linux, Apple, mobile devices, etc. The Microsoft Intune platform only addresses the Windows piece of that puzzle…
We’ve all seen this strategy before. It was called Systems Management Server in the 1990s. Now it’s simply Microsoft customers and partners managing Windows via the cloud…
-jp
Hi Joe,
Great post, few points I’d like to comment on.
1)Intune vs RMM – I agree that Intune is not a direct competitor to other RMM tools out there, but I do believe they have a shot at those MSPs who haven’t dedicated themselves to one tool but in fact use the right one for a particular project which they are working on – i.e. a corporate which has all windows devices and are all locked down.
2)MAC demand and other OS demand – Due to Apple’s mega marketing campaigns we see MACs everywhere now with iPad that will continue to grow and support for those devices will become a must have. Out of the MSPs I talk with I would say around one third of devices which are being supported out there are now either MAC or Linux (majority MAC). Mobile device support I think is a thing of the past, or maybe a rather niche market for couriers etc. who run custom apps. Most of us are tech savvy enough to switch it off and on and it’ll work
3)Yet another tool – again I agree here there seems to be a mountain of RMM tools appearing out of the wood work, we now have 22 listings on http://www.MSPcomparison.com and more waiting to be published. It’s a good thing that developers and entrepreneurs out there are investing in MSP products, but will it become too crowded?
James@3: I appreciate your insights and we welcome reader comments. But I think you need to disclose that (A) you work for an RMM vendor (CentraStage) while you’re (B) promoting your “vendor neutral” RMM comparison site. A way to funnel reader leads into the CentraStage database? Conflict of interest?
-jp
Joe,
Appreciate your comments around my day job and my interests in the market. I certainly don’t hide the fact I work for a RMM vendor, it’s clearly stated on the site http://mspcomparison.com/index.php/about-us and my Twitter @UKJTF01 and Linkedin page: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/jamesfletcher88
My interests in building a vendor neutral site is to give something back to the community – a place for people to express their views and opinions. Maybe you see the site as a threat?
It is certainly not a way to funnel leads into the CentraStage database, don’t you feel the site would lean more towards CentraStage in terms of ratings/reviews if it were set up for that reason?
If users have any concerns over the use of their data I am very open to discussing this publicly. We allow users to post anonymously or as registered users, to allow anyone to publish their comments.
If MSP mentor rather I butt out, then so be it – but my interest in providing a valuable vendor neutral site will continue.
Should probably also point out I don’t want to replicate or reproduce any content published by MSPmentor (Nine Lives Media) but in fact promote it as a trustworthy source of information for anyone interested in the MSP space.
James: Thanks for the updates. My only point is this: If you were a car company running a car review/car comparison site for all third-party cars, you’d need to always disclose your dual interests to readers. The same holds true in the managed services market…
-jp
@Joe, you are right, and i really agree your vision. You have to keep the reader’s interest in your mind
Wood: Thanks for the note. And your readership.
-jp
I really think this article misses some huge features of intune. The monthly licenses cost includes volume windows licensing for each machine and an additional windows vm for every machine. That being said the small foot print and relability I’ve seen in my short test is very impressive. Its a 9mb installation file that includes the client, av and antimalware progams. They combined endpoint with security essentials to deliver the protection side. The interface shames others with its ease of use. It is lacking a scripting engine, but the integration with windows is better then anything I’ve seen. I would also like to point out that every mac mangement tool falls flat compared to remote desktop made by apple.
Jacob: Thanks for filling in some blanks. But do you really think there’s a market for a 100% pure Windows management tool? I think some Microsoft partners will be interested, but I think most established MSPs are starting to realize they need a cross platform tool for Windows, Mac, Linux, network infrastructure, etc.
I spoke with a handful of attendees here at WPC10; most think Intune 1.0 will be too limited for their requirements.
-jp
Joe,
I think it has potential to be a very good solution just like remote desktop for the mac. There are a lot of automation and management platforms out there for both mac and pc, but they have inherent design flaws in both the gui and use of the api. I won’t name any names but I use one of those top platforms and I feel I’m the babysitter to the system.
Jacob: Thanks for your continued insights. I did some more poking around at MSFT Worldwide Partner Conference. I spoke with about 5 MSPs that are familiar with the current and ongoing Windows Intune strategy. Those MSPs think it’s going to take MSFT at least 3 releases to get Intune right… The classic “3.0″ release rule with Microsoft…
-jp
Classic Microsoft, stuck between the enterprise and the cheap place.
Microsoft has for years had a solid RMM platform in SMS then renamed MOM then renamed System Operations (and 15 other similar services) which are absolutely fantastic for management of an enterprise-like type of an environment. We see them all over enterprise. The price tag would make many MSPs cry.
So in typical Microsoft fashion, they try to isolate a specific user segment on their client chart and produce some middle of the road software that makes sense but leaves it’s followers unsatisfied while making enterprise customers question why they are spending so much on their management software.
We all know how this ends too
-Vlad