Microsoft announced that they would be renaming “Windows Intune” to “Microsoft Intune” in the next update to the cloud service. This name change was not a major surprise for a number of reasons. First, Microsoft has been continually updating Intune over the past few years with features for non-Windows platforms such as iOS and Android. Intune is no longer a Windows management solution. It has now grown up and become a true cross-platform managment tool. The System Center management suite went through a similar transformation about two years ago. Dropping the brand “Windows” from Intune is a clear signal to the market.
Second, Intune is no longer part of the Windows Product Group in Redmond. Microsoft moved Intune development into the System Center Product Group nearly two years ago. They also removed the requirement that Windows Intune had to be sold with Windows Client Software Assurance (SA). This option is still available. But it is far more common for customers to purchase Intune without Windows SA.
Third, Microsoft has been going through a significant rebranding of products in the past year. A relevant example of this is the recent name change from “Windows Azure” to “Microsoft Azure”. As is the case with Intune, Microsoft wanted to make it clear to the market that Azure was a truly cross platform cloud service which supports Windows and Linux operating systems. Keeping the brand “Windows” attached to Intune and Azure no longer made any sense.
I would like to compliment Microsoft on their realization that not all products need to be about Windows. Windows is an important product in the Microsoft portfolio and in nearly all business environments. But many businesses are embracing BYOD and Consumerization of IT (CoIT). There is an increasing diversity of devices in the workplace, some of which do not run Windows. Microsoft is getting it right by providing support for non-Windows devices in their cloud offerings.
If you are interested in learning more about how Microsoft Intune can manage non-Windows devices in your organization, please contact H Tech Solutions using the URL below.
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