Table of Contents
Introduction
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, efficient device and application management are critical for maintaining productivity and security. These issues are addressed by Microsoft Intune, a powerful remedy that it provides. But navigating the Intune universe may be challenging, particularly when it comes to licensing. We provide a thorough overview of Microsoft Intune licensing in this blog article, including its significance, potential alternatives, features, and best practices.
Understanding Microsoft Intune
A flexible cloud-based SaaS technology called Microsoft Intune enables businesses to easily manage devices, applications, and data across several platforms. From PCs to smartphones, Intune offers a uniform management interface that gives IT managers the power to keep everything under control while maximizing user productivity. Businesses can use Intune licensing to optimize device management, strengthen security, and increase productivity in today’s dynamic work environment.
The Importance of Licensing
The cornerstone of using software properly is proper licensing. With its variety of features, Microsoft Intune needs the appropriate license to reach its full potential. Businesses who purchase licenses are guaranteed access to all Intune capabilities as well as frequent updates that include security upgrades and new features. In addition to limiting an organization’s possibilities, using Intune without the necessary license exposes it to possible legal and financial repercussions.
Microsoft Intune Licensing Options
Microsoft provides a number of licensing options to meet the demands of various organizational types. Microsoft 365 and Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS) are two popular choices. Each tier of these plans offers a different set of features and capabilities. Due to this flexibility, businesses are able to select a plan that suits their needs, growth objectives, and size. There is an Intune licensing option appropriate for every situation, whether it be a small business or a large enterprise.
User-based Licensing vs Device-based Licensing
It’s critical to pick the appropriate licensing strategy. Each user is given a license through user-based licensing, allowing them to control numerous devices. The use of many devices by employees makes this model great for businesses. On the other hand, device-based licensing is connected to individual devices and is appropriate for scenarios when only one user is using a single device. Businesses can make wise decisions based on their operational structure and user-device dynamics by understanding these models.
Microsoft Intune Licensing Features
Microsoft Intune offers an impressive range of features that simplify device and application management. Organizations may enroll, secure, and manage devices remotely using licensed Intune. Application deployment becomes more efficient, ensuring that the appropriate programs efficiently reach the appropriate people. Conditional access restrictions add another level of security and compliance checks, improving security management. Organizations are enabled to make data-driven decisions for increased efficiency through the integrated reporting and analytics.
Comparing Intune Licenses
Here are an overview of EMS (Enterprise Mobility and Security) E3 and E5 license features available in Microsoft Intune. However, these licenses features are also included in Microsoft 365 licenses. For more details on this, check out Microsoft’s official website by clicking here.
| Included Apps/ License types | Features | Enterprise Mobility + Security E3 | Enterprise Mobility + Security E5 |
| Pricing | ₹835.00 licenses/month | ₹1,290.00 licenses/month | |
| Azure Active Directory | Plan | Premium P1 | Premium P2 |
| Directory objects | No object limit | No object limit | |
| User/Group Management | Yes | Yes | |
| Single Sign-On (SSO) | Yes | Yes | |
| B2B Collaboration | Yes | Yes | |
| Self-Service Password Change for Cloud users | Yes | Yes | |
| Azure AD Connect | Yes | Yes | |
| Group-based access management/provisioning | Yes | Yes | |
| Self-Service Password Reset | Yes | Yes | |
| Company Branding | Yes | Yes | |
| Application Proxy | Yes | Yes | |
| Advanced group features | Yes | Yes | |
| Self-Service Password Reset with On-prem writeback | Yes | Yes | |
| Device objects two-way synchronization between On-prem and Azure AD (device writeback) | Yes | Yes | |
| MFA | Yes | Yes | |
| Microsoft Identity Manager user CAL | Yes | Yes | |
| Conditional Access based on group and location | Yes | Yes | |
| Conditional Access based on device state | Yes | Yes | |
| 3rd party identity governance integration | Yes | Yes | |
| SharePoint Limited Access | Yes | Yes | |
| OneDrive for Business Limited | Yes | Yes | |
| Identity Protection | No | Yes | |
| Privileged Identity Management | No | Yes | |
| Access Reviews | No | Yes | |
| Microsoft Cloud App Security integration | No | Yes | |
| Join a device to Azure AD | Yes (Supported devices only) | Yes (Supported devices only) | |
| Windows Hello for Business | Yes (Supported devices only) | Yes (Supported devices only) | |
| MDM auto-enrollment | Yes (Supported devices only) | Yes (Supported devices only) | |
| BitLocker | Yes | Yes | |
| Microsoft Intune | Mobile Device Management | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile application manageme | Yes | Yes | |
| Integrated PC management | Yes | Yes | |
| Integrated on-premises management | Yes | Yes | |
| Cloud App Security | Log anonymization for user privcy | No | Yes |
| Access to full Cloud App Catalog | No | Yes | |
| Cloud app risk assessment | No | Yes | |
| Cloud usage analytics per app, user, IP Address | No | Yes | |
| Anomaly detection for discovered apps | No | Yes | |
| App permissions and ability to revoke access | Yes | Yes | |
| Integration with Azure Information Protection | No | Yes | |
| Manual and automatic alert remediation | Yes | Yes | |
| Azure Information Protection | Plan | Plan 1 | Plan 2 |
| Document classification | Yes | Yes | |
| Automated and recommended data classification | No | Yes | |
| Protection for content in Microsoft Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, and OneDrive for Business | Yes | Yes | |
| Document tracking and revocation | Yes | Yes | |
| Protected content creation | Yes | Yes | |
| Office 365 Message Encryption | Yes | Yes | |
| Administrative control | Yes | Yes | |
| Azure Rights Management | Yes | Yes | |
| Azure Advanced Threat Protection | No | Yes |
Conclusion
Microsoft Intune is an accurate choice for efficient device and application control at a time of rapid technological advancement. However, maximizing its potential requires an in-depth understanding of its licensing complexities. The importance of Intune licensing, the alternatives available, key features, and best practices have all been covered in detail in this extensive guide. Businesses can unlock the full potential of Microsoft Intune and prosper in a constantly changing business environment by making wise licensing decisions. If you wish to explore more topics on this website, stay connected with us by clicking here.