14 DAY TRIAL // Early adopters that helped test Windows Intune through the Beta program will need to move on no later than today, April 18th, 2011. They can either buy Windows Intune at just $11 per PC per month or continue using it free of charge by leveraging the trial offered by Microsoft.
The software giant recently launched its Cloud-based PC management and security service in no less than 35 countries worldwide.
Some customers are already praising the benefits that come with Windows Intune, such as the drastic reduction of the time needed to administer client PCs.
Ai3, a French IT services outfit is no longer wasting the vast majority of some 20 hours it had reserved each month for PC management. With Windows Intune the same administrative tasks are performed in a fraction of the time required before.
“Before, we devoted about five hours a week to monitoring and updating PCs. Now, we spend a maximum of one hour a week on PC management tasks, because Windows Intune makes everything so much easier,” revealed Aziz Belaid, an IT Infrastructure Consultant at Ai3.
Microsoft Technical Fellow Mark Russinovich hosted a Windows Intune Technology Tune-up virtual roundtable event which continues to be available to IT professionals interested in the Cloud-based PC management service.
My bet is that even IT pros currently using WSUS or System Center will find a purpose for Windows Intune, and since the trial is free, it’s only a matter of a small time investment to see whether I’m going to win my bet.
“When you sign up for a 30-day trial or paid subscription, you will need to download the new client software and simply install it over the previously installed beta software. If you choose not to continue using Windows Intune, we recommend that you remove the client software and restore your computers to their pre-beta state,” noted Microsoft’s Alex Heaton.