Getting the most value of your Microsoft licenses requires a strategic approach, especially when managing endpoints. Effective endpoint management ensures that your business not only leverages the full potential of Microsoft solutions but also maintains security, productivity, and compliance.

Here are seven ways to get the most out of your Microsoft licenses from an endpoint management perspective.

1. Leverage Intune for Comprehensive Device Management

Microsoft Intune offers robust device management capabilities for both corporate and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) environments. By embracing Intune, you can streamline the deployment, management, and security of all devices within your business.

Intune’s cloud-based infrastructure ensures seamless updates and real-time compliance monitoring, reducing the administrative burden on your IT team. What’s better is the tool continues to evolve and improve with time. Newly added features in the Intune Suite progressed the way endpoint management is simplified.

2. Apply Conditional Access Policies

Conditional Access is a powerful tool within Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) that helps secure access to your apps and data. By configuring conditional access policies, you can ensure that only compliant devices and authenticated users have access to corporate resources. This adds an extra layer of security, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.

Conditional access policies are a key component of intelligent information security infrastructure and integral to strategies like passwordless authentication and Zero Trust. In addition to added security, when properly applied, conditional access policies can enable employees to be more productive in their roles as they grant seamless access to necessary resources at the right time.

3. Use Windows Autopilot for Seamless Device Provisioning

Windows Autopilot simplifies the deployment of new devices by allowing them to be pre-configured and shipped directly to end-users. This zero-touch provisioning process enables users to get up and running quickly while ensuring that devices are compliant with corporate policies right out of the box.

Autopilot reduces the need for manual configuration, drastically saving time and resources.

4. Enable Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint provides advanced threat protection for your business’s devices. By enabling this feature, you can detect, investigate, and respond to threats in real-time.

Defender for Endpoint integrates with other Microsoft security solutions, providing a comprehensive security posture across your environment and ensuring your devices are protected against sophisticated cyber threats.

5. Use Office 365 Application Management

Office 365 offers a suite of productivity applications that are essential for modern work environments. Ensuring that these applications are properly managed and updated is crucial.

Intune can be used to deploy, manage, and secure Office 365 apps across all endpoints. This ensures that your users have access to the latest features and security updates, enhancing productivity and security.

6. Implement Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) allows you to define and enforce access permissions based on users’ roles within the organization. By implementing RBAC, you can ensure that users only have access to the resources they need to perform their job functions. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access and helps maintain compliance with internal and external regulations.

7. Regularly Review License Usage

Conduct regular audits of your Microsoft license usage to ensure that you are not over-licensed or under-licensed. Tools like Microsoft 365 Admin Center provide insights into license usage, allowing you to make informed decisions about license allocation and renewal. Optimizing license usage can result in significant cost savings and ensure that your business is making the most of its Microsoft investment.

Conclusion

By exercising these strategies, your business can get the most out of the value of its Microsoft licenses, ensuring a secure, productive, and compliant endpoint management environment.

Investing in comprehensive endpoint management not only protects your assets but also empowers your workforce to operate efficiently in today’s dynamic business landscape.

To discover how much value you are getting from your Microsoft licenses as opposed to your peers, apply for the Capability and Capacity Assessment here: https://www.mobile-mentor.com/capability-capacity-assessment/

Amplifying efficiency and security

The Intune Suite Guide

Learn about features and strategies such as:

  • Endpoint Privilege Management: elevate user access privileges as needed

  • Enterprise App Management: discovery, packaging, deployment and patching of Windows apps

  • Cloud PKI: publish and distribute certificates from Intune without complex PKI

  • Tunnel for MAM: secure access to LOB apps from unmanaged mobile devices

  • Advanced Analytics: predict which machines, applications and users will have issues

  • Remote Help: unlock the seamless interface between the service desk agent and end-user

Andrew Reade

ANDREW READE

Andrew is our Digital Marketing Manager and oversees web-based marketing strategies and content creation for the organization. As a marketing veteran, Andrew has worked with organizations of all sizes in a diverse group of industries, from Risk Management to Transportation. Joining the organization in 2021, Andrew is based in Mobile Mentor’s Nashville, TN office.