Have you heard about the Microsoft Managed Desktop (MMD)? The excitement is growing, and LinkedIn is buzzing with success stories. But what’s it all about? What could it mean for you? Well, you’ve come to the right place; welcome to your beginner's guide to Microsoft Managed Desktop.
“MMD is a multi-tenant cloud service for desktop management, around which IT Lab can wrapper hardware, software and user support. Think of it as analogous to the management of Exchange Online that Microsoft provides today: we can focus on how that exchange environment is used and how we support the users, and not worry about managing the whole technical stack like we used to do.”
- Dan Coleby, Modern Workplace Product Director, IT Lab
Microsoft Managed Desktop is Microsoft’s cool new kid on the block and is on course to change the game. MMD is delivered in collaboration with a global network of Microsoft approved partners, including IT Lab.
If your business is mired in outdated technology and legacy applications, Microsoft Managed Desktop is your quickest way to get modern. It also bolsters your security posture - a significant worry for most businesses today. Benefits of the service include:
Visit Launching the Next Generation of Desktop Management if you’d like to take a deeper dive.
From a list of trusted brands, you get your pick of modern devices: Microsoft Surface, Dell or HP. Every device is ready to go out-of-the-box and comes complete with Windows 10 and Office 365 ProPlus.
Office 365 ProPlus includes all the Office apps you’re familiar with: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
What about your custom or line of business applications like Sage, QuickBooks or Adobe InDesign? That’s easy; your users download what they need from a corporate app store, called your Company Portal. And they get premium, 24/7 first-line end-user support; this bit is delivered by Microsoft or an approved partner, like us.
Other services are optional and depend on your needs. For example, you might need help with a business case to determine your ROI, or with modernising other areas of your business in readiness for Microsoft Managed Desktop.
Once you’re up and running, your desktop estate stays up-to-date. With Microsoft Managed Desktop, updates and patches are automatic. And there’s more. Nothing is rolled out to your users without testing in the real-world first. Seamlessly, automatically, effortlessly; leaving you and the rest of your organisation to do what you do best without technology getting in the way.
Let’s address the elephant in the room first. Microsoft Managed Desktop is not about saying goodbye to your IT team; far from it. They possess an intimate knowledge of your infrastructure and understand how your users tick. Microsoft Managed Desktop means making more of your IT pros’ talents by freeing them from routine tasks such as device configuration, patching and Windows updates. Get more value from your team by enabling them to focus on value-add projects, such as application transformation and other legacy issues.
Nor is the new service about relinquishing control; your IT team will continue to manage your users but will be much less hands-on. In fact, the only laptop they’ll ever need to touch will be theirs. And with Microsoft Managed Desktop, shadow IT becomes a thing of the past, as users are only permitted to download applications via your Company Portal.
If you work in IT or lead a technical team, you might also like: The Journey of a New User Device.
Cybersecurity, as you’re probably painfully aware, can be a constant friction point. Your modern desktop estate includes Microsoft approved security configurations and is continuously monitored and managed by the tech giant’s managed desktop Sec Ops team.
And what about when something isn’t working as it should? If the issue relates to Windows 10 or a Microsoft application, Microsoft’s Managed Desktop operations team will – as part of their monitoring of the service, take care of it. To be clear, they won’t support your third-party applications unless, for example, they’re crashing because of a bug in Windows. But Microsoft’s ops team is proactive; if they see an issue with a third-party application, they’ll notify the appropriate contact on your side so that they can address it with the relevant provider. Think of the service as a collaborative, slick machine. For more information, check out Microsoft Managed Desktop - What Do You Actually Get?
And if you’d like to assess your readiness for the service ask for our Complimentary Microsoft Managed Desktop Consultation.
Let's hear directly from a user: My Experience of Using Microsoft Managed Desktop. And here’s a top-level view with some device insights to whet your appetite:
An MMD device just works, letting your users do their best work, without delays and distractions. They also don’t have to spend precious time updating their devices; everything happens behind the scenes, safely and securely. And their Office apps? Microsoft ensures they always have the latest cool functions and features at their fingertips by delivering the newest versions.
And for global or remote teams, Microsoft Managed Desktop is in a league of its own. The days of new users visiting HQ for their laptops are over; what they need is shipped, quite literally, in a box and they can be running and productive within minutes. Oh, and it won't be necessary for your IT team to sit and handhold them for hours either.
From helping financial institutions to trade, to supporting charities with fundraising, to assisting manufacturers’ production lines, the Microsoft Managed Desktop lets you focus on what you do, not your IT. And modern workplaces attract and retain talent, as many people –especially millennials – want to work for forward-thinking, efficient organisations. Seven Business Signals That Mean it's Time for Change.
Your workforce will be more productive and connected. Your IT team will be free from everyday tasks, and your organisation will see the results in your bottom line.
Enquire about our Microsoft Managed Desktop service here, or if you’d prefer to dip your toes in the water first, ask for a free Microsoft Managed Desktop consultation.