Who or what is Windows?

It may seem like a bit of a silly question but let's get to grips with the basics first, shall we? Windows is the computer operating system, or 'environment', spawned by Microsoft back in 1985. As of 2009, Windows enjoyed a staggering 90 per cent market share of operating systems for Internet use. Impressive.

So what is Intune?

In short, it is a cloud-based PC management tool. It allows all of an organisation's PCs to be monitored and managed from one remote location via the Internet.

Windows Intune, which was launched in July 2011, claims to be the all-in-one solution to your IT needs that combines cloud services with the Windows 7 operating system. Its tagline is to “simplify PC management, amplify productivity.” Sounds nice.

Simplicity is the key - the cloud-based system is straightforward to install and easy to use. As such it can be implemented without the need for any in-house IT expertise. The package also includes the rights to upgrade to Windows 7 Enterprise. As Windows itself states: “The Windows Intune cloud service delivers management and security capabilities through a single Web-based console so you can keep your computers and users operating at peak performance from anywhere.”

Windows Intune is available on a free 30-day trial for 25 PCs and then it is priced at £7.25 per PC per month if you take the plunge and choose to purchase the system.

What are its pros and cons?

Its main advantage is its simple interface and usability which makes it accessible for even the less IT savvy amongst us. This is a useful product for companies with 500 or less computers already running Microsoft's Windows operating system.

Companies, businesses and organisations depend on keeping their employees' PCs running at their best, whether they are in the office or on the road. By bringing together Windows cloud services for PC management and endpoint protection with a Windows 7 Enterprise upgrade subscription, Intune allows you to do this.

It allows for IT personnel to manage all of a company's computers from one remote location, rather than having to deal with each one individually. This means from their office, the person in charge of looking after the organisation's PCs can perform security checks, update software or change settings for any computer that is part of the Intune system. Thus it allows for greater mobility and efficiency of a company's PC management, all of which equals improved productivity.

The drawbacks of the system are that its range of services and functions are somewhat limited. This is not a cloud service in the same way as Google Apps or Microsoft Office 365 are. This is a PC management tool, dealing with upgrading software and security features on your PCs.

So, could Windows Intune be of benefit to me?

Windows Intune is not a one-size-fits-all solution. As mentioned, it is catered more for the smaller business rather than the larger one. Thus, how beneficial it is will vary depending on the size and nature of your company. It may offer a complete cloud and operating system in one nice little package but it is not directed at, nor designed for, large or enterprise-size businesses.

It is ideal for small offices or home networks as there is no need for client machines to be part of an Active Directory domain, and there's no need to install a server. It enables you to perform security and application updates, a usually tedious task, with comparative ease. It has a clean and tidy interface so you won't get lost in a magnitude of tabs and buttons.

For larger businesses, however, the consensus would appear to be that it lacks the necessary complexity, scalability and flexibility required to match all of their PC management needs. As such, it does not offer as comprehensive cloud-based services as some other providers.

Nevertheless, as a means of managing your PCs, Windows Intune is an attractive option for keeping your computers secure and performing at their optimum level, both on and off site. It simplifies all PC management tools and in doing so increases your company's productivity and efficiency. It comes of little surprise, therefore, that the reviews of the product have been largely positive.