ConnectWise, a provider of business management solutions designed
for IT service providers, VARs and managed service providers (MSPs)
announced that technology giant Microsoft has completed integration of
Microsoft Windows Intune, a remote management and monitoring service
based on Windows cloud services and Windows 7, with ConnectWise
software. ConnectWise and Windows Intune combine to deliver an
integrated workflow that includes problem alerting, tracking,
remediation, and billing for work performed by MSPs.
Windows Intune’s Web-based console enables MSPs to monitor,
manage, update, secure, and troubleshoot customers’ computers. The
company said MSPs and end users benefit from its ability to identify
and repair system issues proactively, before they become system
interruptions. ConnectWise integrates CRM, sales, help desk ticket and
tracking, project tracking, IT service management, SLAs, dispatch
scheduling, mobile IT services, time and expenses into a singular IT
management software to help streamline IT companies.
A recent IDC study commissioned by Microsoft calculated that solution
providers would increase their PC management business an average of 19
percent increase in a full year using Windows Intune. A separate study
of Windows Intune beta testers showed a total savings of $702 per PC
per year.
Once configured, ConnectWise Email Connector monitors alerts generated
by Intune, and converts them into service tickets. Remote
infrastructure monitoring, spam abatement, helpdesk, client and server
management, and remote backup can all be addressed using Intune and
ConnectWise. "We expect partners using Windows Intune to manage and
maintain complicated PC infrastructures will realize greater
efficiency, productivity, and profitability thanks to this
integration," said Arnie Bellini, ConnectWise CEO. "MSPs have been
early adopters of cloud computing, and Microsoft is to be commended for
developing another RMM tool for the ConnectWise community."
ConnectWise partner District Computers, a small business IT management
specialist, served as a beta tester for Windows Intune. "Windows Intune
is an effective PC management and security package at a reasonable
price point for MSPs," said Stephen Hall, senior network engineer and
CEO of District Computers. "When the technology management capabilities
of Windows Intune are merged with the business management capabilities
of ConnectWise, the result is an all-inclusive systems backbone that
should be considered by established and emerging IT service providers
alike."