Intune Deployment Strategies and Best Practices
This section provides comprehensive guidance on deploying Microsoft Intune for device management within your organization. Whether you're onboarding new devices or migrating from existing solutions, these articles will help you plan and execute a successful deployment.
Understanding Deployment Options
Microsoft Intune offers flexible deployment models to suit various organizational needs. Explore the following:
- Cloud-Only Deployment: Ideal for organizations that are fully cloud-native or looking to eliminate on-premises infrastructure. Learn how to enroll devices directly into Intune without relying on Active Directory.
- Hybrid Deployment: For organizations that need to integrate Intune with their existing on-premises Active Directory and Configuration Manager infrastructure. This approach allows for a phased migration and leverages existing investments.
- Co-Management: A powerful scenario where Intune and Configuration Manager work together to manage Windows 10/11 devices. This enables you to gradually shift management capabilities to Intune while retaining critical Configuration Manager functionalities.
Planning Your Deployment
A well-planned deployment is crucial for success. Consider these key areas:
- Tenant Setup: Configure your Intune tenant, including custom branding, administrative roles, and licensing.
- Device Enrollment Methods: Choose the most appropriate enrollment methods for different device types (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android) and user scenarios (e.g., Autopilot, user-driven enrollment, bulk enrollment).
- Integration with Azure AD: Understand how Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) plays a role in device identity, conditional access, and user authentication.
- Policy Planning: Design your Intune policies (configuration profiles, compliance policies, app protection policies) based on your security and management requirements.
Deployment Scenarios and Guides
Dive into specific guides tailored for common deployment scenarios:
- Deploying Windows devices with Windows Autopilot
- Setting up Hybrid Azure AD Join and Co-management
- Enrolling macOS devices
- Onboarding iOS and Android devices
Best Practices for a Smooth Deployment
Follow these best practices to ensure a seamless transition and efficient ongoing management:
- Pilot Program: Start with a pilot group of users and devices to test your configuration and identify potential issues before a full rollout.
- Clear Communication: Inform your users about the changes, provide necessary instructions, and offer support channels.
- Phased Rollout: Deploy Intune in phases rather than all at once to manage the workload and address feedback effectively.
- Documentation: Maintain thorough documentation of your Intune configuration, policies, and enrollment processes.
- Monitoring and Reporting: Regularly monitor device compliance, app deployment status, and enrollment success rates using Intune's reporting features.
Key Deployment Tools and Features
- Windows Autopilot: Streamline the deployment of new Windows devices.
- Device Enrollment Manager (DEM): For bulk enrollment of devices without user interaction.
- Apple Business Manager / School Manager: For automated enrollment of iOS and macOS devices.
- Android Enterprise: For managing Android devices in a modern, secure way.
- Bulk enrollment tokens: For enrolling corporate-owned, personally enabled (COPE) Android devices.