14 DAY TRIAL // The software and update distribution capabilities of Windows Intune have evolved considerably in comparison to the first version of the service.
The next generation of Microsoft’s Cloud-based PC management and security suite enables IT professionals not only to keep track of the software already deployed in a specific environment but also to distribute new solutions.
Dubbed, software distribution, the new feature added to the service, can already be tested in Windows Intune July 2011 Beta.
“With the addition of software distribution in this beta release of Windows Intune, you can now publish and deploy applications and updates to client computers that Windows Intune manages,” Microsoft reveals.
Customers looking to take out for a spin software distribution in Windows Intune July 2011 Beta can download guidance from Microsoft.
The “Best Practices for Deploying Software with Windows Intune” whitepaper is available for download free of charge, and early adopters can leveraged in conjunction with the latest Beta of the service.
It’s critical to note that the new Windows Intune feature is not restricted to Microsoft technologies, but also covers applications and updates from third-parties.
“In this version of Windows Intune, the Software workspace has been updated to differentiate between Detected Software and Managed Software,” the company said.
“The Detected Software workspace contains the software inventory data that the Windows Intune clients discover and report. The Managed Software workspace is where the software that you want to deploy to your client computers is uploaded, deployed, and managed on an ongoing basis.”
When I talked to Alex Heaton, Group Product Manager for Windows Intune recently, he stressed to me that software distribution was one of the most requested features for the evolution of the Cloud-based PC management and security suite.
The “Best Practices for Deploying Software with Windows Intune” documentation is an excellent resource to streamline the process of creating managed software packages and deploying them.