Deploying a new device fleet tends to be a pain period for organisations… but it doesn’t have to be.
If you stick to the best available services and solutions, you can unlock value quickly rather than getting stuck, and without compromising your security posture or governance policies.
The key can come down to the specific devices you choose. The Microsoft Surface and Surface Copilot+ lines of tablets and PCs offer a streamlined setup experience through Microsoft Intune which can keep the whole setup process smooth and painless, no matter how unique your needs may be.
Advantages of Choosing the Right Device Ecosystem
When you pick a manufacturer, you’re doing more than choosing hardware. You’re selecting a whole environment of built-in applications and software utilities to help you get the most from your tablets and PCs throughout their lifespans.
Choosing Microsoft gives you access to Intune and its considerable feature set. This comes with efficiency benefits for both the IT team deploying the hardware and the end users who will work with the tablets and PCs every day.
When you deploy Surface devices with Intune, you receive:
- Zero-touch deployment: Rather than having to set up each device in your physical office or have an IT employee on hand, you can launch an automated setup process through the cloud. This lets remote workers start securely while logged into their home networks.
- Cloud-native management: Further updates and device access changes also come through the cloud. Automated firmware and app updates keep them safe from cyberthreats, while remote management enables your IT team to monitor and update settings in line with your policies.
- Pre-installed security: Surface security tools, integrated with Microsoft Defender, provide enterprise-grade protection. Microsoft controls its entire production supply chain, from chip to cloud, so every element of a device can be configured for a hardened security posture.
- Analytics for IT: Your IT team doesn’t need to directly interact with devices to monitor their performance and optimise end-users’ experience. Monitoring and analysing performance through cloud dashboards makes this an efficient, hands off process.
- An “it just works” user experience: The less time your users spend being confused or interrupted in their work, the more productive they can be. Microsoft device management is minimally invasive, allowing workers to enter a productive flow state.
Microsoft has spent time and effort creating an enterprise-friendly device management ecosystem, and your organisation can reap the benefits starting with deployment and setup.
How Intune Works
Microsoft Intune enables deployment, configuration, and support from anywhere. It’s a central part of your IT department’s workflow when you deploy Microsoft devices, and it supports any number of endpoints. Even if you’re planning an enterprise-scale deployment with thousands of pieces of Surface hardware, the efficiencies still apply.
With Intune, your IT personnel can remotely push:
- Policies that enforce responsible and approved use of devices.
- Applications encompassing both specialised tools and more general productivity software.
- Security settings to keep your devices compliant with regulations and governance best practices.
- Updates direct from Microsoft that provide the latest functionality and defend against vulnerabilities.
Managing all these elements remotely through the cloud adds consistency and effectiveness and prevents slow, inconvenient setup. In a legacy model, employees bring all new devices in for in-person setup and configuration. Removing the travel or shipping, along with the manual work, delivers high-level efficiency and supports any scale of deployment.
A Surface Deployment With Intune, Step by Step
Surface deployment through Microsoft Intune is remarkably simple, with employees moving from step to step with minimal effort and intervention. It’s easy to see how this process scales up, from dozens of employees to hundreds.
Here’s how it works:
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- An employee receives a new Surface tablet or PC at home: You can ship new devices to your workers in an unconfigured state, rather than having those users come into the office or sending IT personnel into the field.
- The recipient turns on the device and enters a Microsoft ID: The Intune setup process uses the standardised Microsoft ID system rather than requiring a new credential or separate app ecosystem.
- Microsoft Intune executes the setup process automatically: All configuration, update, and installation functions occur with no hands-on input. The device’s settings comply with company policies out of the box, matching your exact specifications.This remote setup workflow is flexible — no matter how many people you employ remotely, there’s no added complexity beyond the need to mail a device to each user. By using Intune to manage the devices going forward, you can maintain the same level of ease and control throughout their lifespans.
Get Started With Your Next Surface Deployment
When you’re searching for a partner to enable your new Surface fleet, it pays to work with an expert. This is Kingsfield’s role. We’re a Microsoft Gold Partner, as well as the only shop focused on Surface and Surface Copilot+ devices. There’s no more specialised ally available to consult on every step of your deployment.
We can support you by recommending the right type of Surface devices, and then work with your internal IT stakeholders to ensure their configuration meets your needs and specs. Every company or public-sector organisation is unique, with its own requirements. Collaboration with Kingsfield helps you meet those obligations.
Reach out to our experts to discuss which Surface devices are right for you and discover how a smooth, Intune-powered deployment experience could fit into your workflow.
