New Features in the Next Release of ODS

As with most upgrades, a number of features are being added along with general improvements to the overall service and experience. This is not an exhaustive list but we want to a highlight a few key items based on feedback from our customers:

1) Support for Windows 8.1 enrollment

This functionality will allow for 8.1 clients to enroll via the ODS client software (Enrollment Package), as well as the OMA-DM agent.

2) Ungrouped Devices Group added back to identify newly enrolled machines

With the January 2013 release of ODS, the ‘Ungrouped Devices’ group was changed and no longer functioned as it had previously. This created a lot of confusion and hardship for our customers as they were no longer able to easily identify newly enrolled machines to the service. We are bringing this group and its functionality back.

New Agent Policy Settings

Two new agent policy settings. Here’s a brief description of each:

3) ODS client agent mandatory updates installation schedule

Currently, client agent updates can’t be controlled as they flow down to all machines shortly after being released through the service. This creates a poor user experience as most agent updates can require reboots. This new policy gives the IT Pro the ability to control when mandatory updates are installed on devices across their environment.

4) Install Endpoint Protection

This policy gives finer control to IT Pro’s that wish to use, or not use, the ODS Endpoint Protection client on their devices. Currently, when selecting “No”, ODS Endpoint Protection will still be installed if a 3^rd party AV/AM solution is not detected.  After it’s installed, ODS Endpoint Protection will be disabled. This new setting prevents ODS Endpoint Protection from installing when the option is set to ”No”.