If you’re managing end user devices in 2025 and still relying on on-prem Group Policy, imaging, or VPNs to get the job done, Microsoft Intune should already be on your radar. Whether you’re mid-rollout, planning the move, or just curious about Intune, here’s a practical breakdown of what it is, how it works, and how to avoid shooting yourself in the foot.
What is Intune?
At its core, Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based device and app management platform. It lets you control Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices — without needing them to touch your network or be joined to an on-prem domain.
It’s part of Microsoft Endpoint Manager (yes, we still call it Intune), and it integrates with Entra ID (Azure AD), Defender for Endpoint, and Autopilot. It’s also one of the few tools that can genuinely replace Group Policy if you know how to use it properly.
What problem is it solving?
Old-school management relies on being on the network — imaging, SCCM packages, GPOs, file shares, the works. That model falls apart when users are remote, mobile, or using their own devices.
Intune solves that by:
- Pushing apps and policies over the internet
- Enforcing compliance rules on any device, anywhere
- Letting you wipe, block, or quarantine compromised endpoints
- Giving you visibility across your device estate — without the VPN
It’s about reducing manual effort, increasing control, and actually keeping pace with how people work now.
Intune consulting and managed service
Migrate to cloud-based unified endpoint management for Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, and Linux!
Tell me more!What can you actually do with it?
- Enroll devices — manually, automatically, or via Autopilot
- Push Win32, Store, and mobile apps
- Configure Wi-Fi, VPN, BitLocker, email, and more
- Enforce compliance: OS versions, encryption, Defender status
- Block or allow access to company data based on compliance
- Wipe or lock lost/stolen devices
- Track it all with live compliance reports
And you can do it whether the device is company-owned or personal.
How it works
- Enroll the Device Windows? Use Autopilot. iOS/macOS? Use Apple Business Manager. Android? Go via Android Enterprise. BYOD? There are user-driven options for that too.
- Apply Policies and Profiles You scope them using Entra ID groups. They include config profiles (settings), compliance policies (rules), and app assignments. Think of it like Group Policy 2.0 — just cloud-based and cross-platform.
- Monitor Compliance Devices check in. Intune evaluates them. If they’re not compliant, you’ll see it in the portal — and can act on it.
- Remote Actions When Needed If something’s off — you can wipe, lock, restart, or even deploy remediation scripts. No helpdesk visit required.
What’s the catch?
Like most Microsoft tools, it’s powerful — but easy to misconfigure if you don’t plan ahead.
Common pain points include:
- Devices not showing up properly due to dodgy Autopilot setups
- Apps silently failing to install because detection rules are wrong
- Users locked out due to overzealous compliance rules
- Profiles clashing because too many settings are pushed at once
- Reporting gaps that leave you guessing
Most of these are avoidable with decent naming standards, group targeting discipline, and starting with a small, controlled pilot group.
So, how should you start?
Here’s a proven approach:
- Set up your Intune tenant — and keep it clean
- Create a test Entra ID group and enroll a handful of devices
- Apply a basic config profile (password, encryption, Defender on)
- Push a single app — test it thoroughly
- Review compliance reporting and device sync behaviour
- Expand slowly — iterate and adapt as you go
Don’t go full production until you’ve lived through a couple of update cycles and device reboots.
Intune FAQs
It’s dead simple if it’s Azure AD-joined — it’s built into the login flow. For existing devices, push the Company Portal or use GPO for auto-enrolment. If you’re still doing this manually in 2025, ask yourself why. Windows 7/8.1? Time to let go.
Wrap your installer using the IntuneWinAppUtil, add it via the portal, and configure your install/uninstall commands properly. Detection rules? Get them right or it’ll haunt you later. Pro tip: Always test the package locally first before uploading. Saves a lot of swearing.
MDM controls the device. MAM controls the app. Use MDM for corporate devices, MAM for BYOD. If you’re pushing full MDM policies to personal iPhones, expect pushback — nobody wants their kid’s iPad wiped because of Outlook.
These are the rules you define (OS version, BitLocker, AV status, etc.) to say “this device is healthy.” Combine with Conditional Access to block dodgy devices. They don’t fix anything — they say “nope, come back when you’ve sorted yourself out.”
Start with a basic rule: only allow compliant devices. Then layer in risk, location, and sign-in behaviour. Combine with Defender for Endpoint for added security. But don’t overdo it — locking out the CEO during a board meeting is… career-limiting.
Autopilot is the onboarding experience — nice splash screens, automated provisioning, all that. Intune enrollment is just… enrolling. Think of Autopilot as the guided tour, Intune enrolment as walking in the side door.
Upload it under Devices > Scripts — but remember it runs in system context, not user (unless you specify). No real-time output, so logging is your friend. Keep scripts clean and tested — Intune isn’t the place to debug your latest GitHub special.
Go to the Monitor blade in the Intune portal — you’ll see app installs, compliance, config status, etc. Is it good? It’s… fine. Don’t expect SCCM-level granularity, but for most use cases, it tells you what you need to know. For more, integrate with Log Analytics.
Enable the connector, turn on compliance signals, and now Defender can block dodgy devices based on risk. It’s basically Conditional Access with a sidekick that watches your endpoints for weird behaviour. Works well — assuming Defender’s actually deployed.
Start simple:
– Check MDM enrollment status
– Review event logs (especially under DeviceManagement-Enterprise-Diagnostics-Provider)
– Confirm time sync and network access
– If the device thinks it’s managed but nothing works… reset the MDM channel or nuke and redeploy. Sometimes the fastest fix is the nuclear option.
Final thoughts
Intune isn’t just the “cloud version of SCCM.” It’s a fundamentally different approach — policy-based, cloud-first, and user-centric. Done right, it simplifies life for IT and improves the experience for end users. Done badly, it’ll cause chaos and tickets.
The trick is not to rush it. Know what you’re trying to achieve, test everything, and lean into what the tool is good at. It’s not perfect, but it’s come a long way — and for most organisations, it’s absolutely the right direction.
Thinking of rolling out Intune or stuck mid-project? We’ve helped orgs of all shapes and sizes — and we’re happy to share what we’ve seen work (and what hasn’t). Drop us a line if you want a second opinion, or just someone to bounce ideas off.
