WS1 - Windows Desktop Management Pros/Cons

[ebe]

Hi guys,

We are investigating where to start deploying Windows devices, in WS1 or in Intune.
Today, mobile devices are managed in WS1 but Windows devices are managed in SCCM.

What could be pros to consider WS1 before Intune regarding Windows management? Which method is recommended? Autopilot?
Any cons/issues today in WS1 regarding Windows management?

[Ruhul Azad]

On 11/29/2024 at 9:20 PM, ebe said:

Hi guys,

We are investigating where to start deploying Windows devices, in WS1 or in Intune.
Today, mobile devices are managed in WS1 but Windows devices are managed in SCCM.

What could be pros to consider WS1 before Intune regarding Windows management? Which method is recommended? Autopilot?
Any cons/issues today in WS1 regarding Windows management?

I would recommend WS1 as we have been managing all our Windows devices through WS1 only.

You will get more details on below article 
https://brookspeppin.com/2022/10/17/intune-vs-workspace-one-15-pros-and-cons-2022-edition/

[ebe]

Thanks for the link, but it is two years old. Much have changed in Intune during this time.

[Phillip Helmling]

I'm biased, but from my point of view:

• Workspace ONE can do everything that Intune and SCCM together can do. Neither SCCM or Intune by themselves compare to Workspace ONE, that is why Microsoft still sells both.
• Workspace ONE can leverage WORKGROUP, ADDS Domain Joined, Hyrid Domain Joined or AzureAD/EntraID joined devices
• Workspace ONE also supports other Directories
• Workspace ONE provides the ability to deploy EXE, MSI, MSIX and applications within a ZIP without conversion, and leverages CDN and Peer Distribution (BranchCache) out of the box
• Workspace ONE also provides a Workflow capability called Freestyle Orchestrator that can check conditions, deploy apps, scripts and profiles
• Workspace ONE can leverage in many inbuilt profiles, including best in class (IMHO) Bitlocker management, Microsoft CSP and Custom Profiles that can write registry keys, run powershell commands or send Custom SyncML to the OMADM client on a device
• Workspace ONE also has Smart Groups that allow for dynamic grouping of devices or collections
• Workspace ONE has great DEX capabilities
• Workspace ONE has great visualization and reporting interface
• Workspace ONE is best in class for all platforms (iOS, Android, Chromebook, Windows Desktop and macOS) and more to come
• ....

[Allan]

On 11/30/2024 at 2:50 AM, ebe said:

Hi guys,

We are investigating where to start deploying Windows devices, in WS1 or in Intune.
Today, mobile devices are managed in WS1 but Windows devices are managed in SCCM.

What could be pros to consider WS1 before Intune regarding Windows management? Which method is recommended? Autopilot?
Any cons/issues today in WS1 regarding Windows management?

Depends on your environment complexity/use cases really. It's not a simple answer 😉 

Ws1 has the deeper feature set, some of it isn't as well thought out as it should be, but those limitations haven't stopped me...yet.  Oh and logging is awful. But that's being worked on.

From the things I've been shown and told, the future looks quite bright feature wise for WS1.

The other thing of note, and maybe we're just lucky, but the engagement and support we get from Omnissa locally is excellent, the way they are engaging customers through the UX team for new features is great, I still think most changes should have a sanity check performed by those guys.... Support has been a better experience than dealing with Microsoft on calls. Although I do wish they would stop asking for video for things that don't need videos 😄