Microsoft Introduces Intune for Education; New Devices to Challenge Chromebooks in Classrooms

Microsoft's latest update to their Intune cloud based management tool will now allow educational institutions easily manage shared computers.

Richard Hay, Senior Content Producer

January 26, 2017

2 Min Read
Microsoft Introduces Intune for Education; New Devices to Challenge Chromebooks in Classrooms

Last summer, Microsoft revealed that the Windows 10 Anniversary Update would arrive with a new functionality that would allow educators and IT support in schools to easily setup shared devices for students.

The Setup School PCs app would work with stand alone devices and those which were part of an Azure Active Directory, Office 365 and Azure Active Directory Premium.

Its biggest limitation was that each machine had to be setup individually and there was no over arching management tool to monitor and control these devices.

Well this week that will no longer be a limitation because Microsoft has announced Intune for Education.

"Microsoft Intune for education is a new cloud-based application and device management service that is built on the proven Microsoft Intune service, offering easy setup and management in shared learning environments."

According to Microsoft, shared devices are used in 90% of schools and half of the time those devices are supported directly by the teacher themselves. This can prove to be a significant time obligation to make sure everything is up and running properly. Using the Setup School PCs app that means the support happens one device at a time as well.

Well Intune for Education eliminates that one on one support challenge and brings everything into a cloud based dashboard that allows school IT or educators to manage multiple devices at one time remotely.

This new service provides three key features and capabilities:

  1. Simple Windows 10 Management

  2. Easy Application Deployment

  3. Integrated with Microsoft Education Software and Services

As Microsoft was making the Intune for Education announcement they also revealed several Windows 10 devices from their OEM partners that challenge the adoption of Chromebooks and provides educators and students options for full Windows ecosystem compatibility at home and in the classroom.

You can read the entire education related announcement and read more about the new Windows 10 based devices on the official Windows blog.

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About the Author

Richard Hay

Senior Content Producer, IT Pro Today (Informa Tech)

I served for 29 plus years in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer in November 2011. My work background in the Navy was telecommunications related so my hobby of computers fit well with what I did for the Navy. I consider myself a tech geek and enjoy most things in that arena.

My first website – AnotherWin95.com – came online in 1995. Back then I used GeoCities Web Hosting for it and WindowsObserver.com is the result of the work I have done on that site since 1995.

In January 2010 my community contributions were recognized by Microsoft when I received my first Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award for the Windows Operating System. Since then I have been renewed as a Microsoft MVP each subsequent year since that initial award. I am also a member of the inaugural group of Windows Insider MVPs which began in 2016.

I previously hosted the Observed Tech PODCAST for 10 years and 317 episodes and now host a new podcast called Faith, Tech, and Space. 

I began contributing to Penton Technology websites in January 2015 and in April 2017 I was hired as the Senior Content Producer for Penton Technology which is now Informa Tech. In that role, I contribute to ITPro Today and cover operating systems, enterprise technology, and productivity.

https://twitter.com/winobs

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