New version of Windows Intune to have better management and security features

During the Microsoft Management Summit, Microsoft showcased an early look at the upcoming release of Windows Intune. THe next release of Windows Intune is expected to have enhanced management and security benefits for mobile devices and will have people-centric management capabilities.

For those that don’t know, Windows Intune was introduced by Microsoft in July of 2011 and is a Microsoft hosted service that monitors and updated Windows 7-based computers. Designed for small businesses, Windows Intune (currently at version 2.0) is intended to solve the problem of not having a PC management infrastructure. With the upcoming update to Intune, Microsoft hopes to make it easier than ever to manage those who bring their own devices into the workplace and will help businesses keep costs low by having one cloud based solution for both PC and mobile device management. This new version of Intune will integrate with Windows Server Active Directory and Microsoft Exchange Server and will offer the ability to manage user accounts with accounts created in the Windows Azure Active Directory. “Windows Intune will offer a self-service, customizable Company Portal that is simple to create and will allow IT to provide employees with the apps and tools they need to stay productive,” Microsoft adds. No word yet on a release date.