14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is advising early adopters that are currently testing Windows Intune to make sure they’re focusing on the second Beta release. This because the first Beta of Intune is scheduled to expire today, August 9th, leaving testers with Beta 2 as the only option if they are to continue testing the new PC security and management service from Microsoft.
Windows Intune was introduced earlier this year, bringing to the table the option of a complex but comprehensive set of Cloud-based security, management, and remote assistance services complemented by Windows 7 upgrade rights. Windows Intune Beta 2 was launched in early July 2010 and continues to be available to customers for testing.
“Please be advised that the first Windows Intune beta which launched in April 2010 will be decommissioned on August 9th, 2010. After this date, you will no longer be able to manage computers with the April release. To use the second public beta, please sign up for a new account and install the new client software on each of the PCs that you wish to manage with Windows Intune,” revealed Alex Heaton, Group Product Manager for Windows Intune.
While Microsoft limited access to Beta 1 to just some 1,000 participants, with the advent of Beta 2 the software giant opened up its new PC security and management Cloud offerings to over 10,000 early adopters. Each Windows Intune beta participant can leverage the service to manage from 5 to 25 seats.
“The Windows Intune Team would like to thank you for your participation in the April release of the Windows Intune beta! As many of you may know, we announced the second public Windows Intune Beta on July 12th and we hope you have had a chance to sign up for an account and are evaluating this most recent release. If you haven’t signed up yet, you can get the second beta here,” Heaton added.
Windows Intune is designed to help customers cut down on their infrastructure spending by taking PC security and management into the Cloud. Customers get Forefront-powered AntiMalware and antispyware combines with hardware and software inventory capabilities, the benefits of single-console management from which multiple customers can be administered, and to top it all off upgrade rights to Windows 7 Enterprise for standardization purposes.
“We are eager to hear your feedback. If you are interested in sharing your experience with us, please email winintfb at microsoft.com. We’d love to highlight some best practices and showcase partners and customers using the Windows Intune second public beta,” Heaton said.
Windows Intune will cost $11 per PC, per month and its launch is set for early 2011.
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