My recent project implemented Microsoft Intune across a global school district, dramatically enhancing device management and security. This strategic upgrade standardized device updates and app deployments, ensuring a consistent, focused, and safe educational experience tailored to individual learning needs.
Furthermore, by utilizing Intune’s robust management features, the school district embraced a seamless hybrid learning model, vital in today’s educational landscape. The initiative streamlined IT operations, elevating the district’s capability to provide a secure, adaptable, and efficient learning environment.
Scope
- Microsoft Defender
- Microsoft Purview
- Microsoft Intune
- Device configuration profiles
- Device Compliance
- Scripts and remediation
- Windows Autopilot
- Windows Apps (Win32) / LOB
- Endpoint Security
- Conditional Access
- Windows update ring
- Driver update ring
Project Outcome
Easy Transition
Leading the integration of Microsoft Intune across our global educational network, I oversaw a seamless transition to a unified device management system. This initiative ensured that every student and teacher, regardless of location, had access to the same secure and high-quality digital learning environment. My role was pivotal in ensuring that the deployment was smooth and disruption-free, enhancing the educational experience without compromising security or accessibility.
Amazing Results
The results of this project were nothing short of remarkable. We witnessed a significant uplift in the efficiency of our IT operations, coupled with a marked improvement in educational delivery. Under my guidance, the global school network embraced a more collaborative and flexible learning model, setting a new standard for educational excellence and digital security worldwide.
Discovery and Planning
- Assess Current Infrastructure: Evaluate existing device management systems, policies, and procedures.
- Device Inventory: Catalog all school-owned devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, along with their operating systems and configurations.
- Define Requirements:
- Security Needs: Identify security requirements to protect sensitive student and staff data.
- Compliance Standards: Determine compliance obligations related to educational regulations and data protection laws.
- Application Needs: List educational applications and resources that need to be deployed and managed.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Meet with school administration, IT staff, and other stakeholders to align on objectives and expectations.
- Develop Project Plan:
- Timelines: Establish a realistic timeline for each phase of the project.
- Milestones: Define key milestones and deliverables.
- Resource Allocation: Assign responsibilities and resources required for the project.
- Risk Assessment: Identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies
Configure Microsoft Intune
- Tenant Setup:
- Configure the Microsoft Intune tenant within the school’s existing Microsoft 365 environment.
- Ensure proper licensing is in place for all devices and users.
- Integration with Azure Active Directory (Azure AD):
- Sync user accounts and groups.
- Set up single sign-on (SSO) capabilities.
- Role-Based Access Control (RBAC):
- Define administrative roles and permissions within Intune to control access and delegation.
- Policy Development:
- Compliance Policies: Create policies to enforce device compliance standards (e.g., OS version, device health).
- Configuration Profiles: Set up device configurations for settings like Wi-Fi, VPN, email, and restrictions.
- Security Policies: Implement policies for encryption, password requirements, and threat protection.
- Application Preparation:
- Package educational applications and resources for deployment.
- Configure app protection policies (MAM) to secure school data within applications.
Pilot testing
- Pilot Group Selection:
- Choose a representative sample of devices and users (e.g., one class or department).
- Device Enrollment:
- Enroll pilot devices using appropriate enrollment methods (e.g., Windows Autopilot, Apple DEP).
- Policy Application:
- Apply compliance and configuration policies to pilot devices.
- Application Deployment:
- Deploy educational applications to pilot users.
- Monitoring and Feedback:
- Monitor device compliance and functionality.
- Collect feedback from pilot users regarding usability and performance.
- Issue Resolution:
- Identify any issues or challenges during the pilot phase.
- Adjust configurations and policies as needed.
Production Onboarding
- Full-Scale Device Enrollment:
- Enroll all remaining school-owned devices into Intune.
- Policy Enforcement:
- Apply refined compliance, configuration, and security policies to all devices.
- Application Deployment:
- Deploy necessary educational applications to all relevant devices.
- Monitoring and Support:
- Continuously monitor device compliance and address any issues promptly.
- Provide support to users during the transition.
- Compliance Reporting:
- Generate and review reports to ensure all devices meet the defined compliance standards.
Knowledge Transfer and Continued Support
- IT Staff Training:
- Conduct comprehensive training sessions for the school’s IT personnel on managing and operating Intune.
- Documentation Development:
- Create detailed user guides, administrative manuals, and troubleshooting documentation.
- Support Framework:
- Establish support procedures and escalation paths for ongoing issues.
- Set up helpdesk resources or designate support contacts.
- Final Review and Handover:
- Review project outcomes with stakeholders.
- Handover all credentials, documentation, and management responsibilities to the school’s IT team.
- Continuous Support Plan:
- Outline a plan for ongoing support, updates, and potential future enhancements.
- Schedule periodic reviews to assess system performance and compliance.
Scope of Work
The objective of this project is to implement Microsoft Intune as the primary mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) solution for the school system. This will enable centralized management of all school-owned devices, enhance security protocols, streamline application deployment, and ensure compliance with educational policies and data protection regulations.