By Insight Editor / 20 Jun 2022 / Topics: Cloud Customer experience Devices Hybrid workforce
One process IT administrators are striving to improve is device management and deployment. With workers stationed in a variety of locations, a modern workforce calls for a modern solution for distribution and provisioning.
Historically, IT administrators have received new devices and imaged them internally. The standard practice of imaging involves copying a single image across multiple devices. With this method, once a device is configured and deployed to the user, it’s difficult to update because there’s no central control in place, which is time-consuming and costly when workers are physically dispersed.
In comparison, provisioning is a method to configure devices using a cloud-centric solution. Instead of replacing the base image, provisioning adjusts policies and configurations to bring the native operating system into compliance with company standards. This process can happen physical intervention from an IT administrator, with the device shipped directly to the end user.
Windows Autopilot is a cloud-based provisioning program that allows for flexible deployment options that are less resource-intensive and ideal for providing more secure access to devices for the hybrid workforce.
Autopilot also delivers a higher level of device security. Devices can be sent directly to the end user and registered to the organization through Microsoft’s cloud network using Intune and Azure Active Directory (AD). This allows the end user to register their device through their secure identity in their organization's AD tenant.
Since the device is sent directly to the end user and IT does not need to intervene, there’s no need for the end user to share or reset their password to complete the process.
In addition to protecting password information, Autopilot can also provide secure firmware-level control to IT so they can make remote updates to software and device hardware. This includes activities such as deactivating cameras and disabling interface ports as needed for security reasons and finalizing policy configurations for device hardware and software compliance.
Autopilot features a streamlined device setup process, which saves IT teams time and resources. When a user receives their new device, they simply log in to start the provisioning process for applications from the cloud. This can include apps and policies such as security, compliance, configuration and encryption.
IT administrators have access to profiles and profile templates via the cloud, so they do not require physical access to the device to make updates. They can also remotely wipe and reassign profiles.
As you continue your hybrid work journey, we're expanding our ability to provide zero-touch, cloud-centric device management. Insight offers strategic solutions to the challenges you face in supporting your dispersed workforce, including the flexibility, security and time savings of Autopilot.
As part of these efforts, we're providing free Autopilot registration for clients that purchase devices through us.
While adopting new solutions can be daunting, you don’t have to navigate modern provisioning alone. With a team of Insight experts on your side, it’s easy to leverage cloud-centric solutions and improve the end-user experience.
A Windows Autopilot Test Flight Workshop with Microsoft Surface provides a hands-on experience with Autopilot featuring Microsoft Surface hardware. This one-day session will help you better understand how Windows Autopilot works and how it eases IT burdens while strengthening the end-user experience.
In this technical workshop, we'll demonstrate Autopilot on a Surface device connected to your environment. During the session, we'll boot up, image, perform policy deployments and application provisioning on, and then remotely wipe a new Surface device. After the Test Flight, the Surface device is yours to keep.
Learn more about taking a Windows Autopilot Test Flight.
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