Microsoft Windows Intune: For Managed Services Providers?

Microsoft Windows Intune

First, the high-level overview: Windows Intune is a SaaS-based service in beta now. Microsoft says there are at least 10 reasons why customers and managed services providers will ultimately adopt Windows Intune. Microsoft has also developed a 44-page [download id=”4″].

Xchanging Thoughts

So how is Windows Intune shaping up? And how are MSPs reacting? According to one MSP who allegedly saw the Windows Intune demo at Xchange:

Over time, the MSP says, he expects Windows InTune to gradually compete more and more with the established RMM players. The MSP asserted:

Reality Check

Still, it’s important to note that most of the major RMM vendors have decent to strong relationships with Microsoft. Plus, I wonder if Microsoft thinks the MSP market is large enough to aggressively target? Seems to me that most of Intune’s focus remains on end-users rather than channel partners as users.

Also, multiple executives who have participated in Microsoft’s Windows Intune demonstrations say it’s far too early to predict if Windows InTune will deliver on its technical promises.

During the CompTIA Breakaway conference in early August 2010, Ross Brown, VP of worldwide partner sales, Microsoft, described Windows Intune as Microsoft System Center for the Cloud.

But therein resides the challenge: Windows Intune is designed for Windows-centric servers, desktops and mobile systems. At a time when MSPs increasingly manage Linux, Mac OS and perhaps even Google Android systems, I wonder if Intune’s intense focus on Windows will hold the platform back.

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