Windows Intune

Microsoft has recently opened a beta of their new Windows Intune product. While the functionality in the Intune offering is not new, what is unique about it is the packaging. Intune is a collection of some of Microsoft’s most helpful desktop management tools.
Intune encompasses the following functionality:

• Antivirus: Using the same underlying technology from Forefront Endpoint Protection and Microsoft Security Essentials, Intune can perform real-time and scheduled virus scans on systems.
• License Management: If you purchase your licenses through a volume license agreement, Intune can have those licenses loaded into it and perform a system inventory to help you ensure that you stick to the terms of your licensing.
• Monitoring and Alerting: Using a system similar to Systems Center Operations Manager, Intune can alert you when there is a problem with a desktop, such as a virus infection or a failed hard drive.
• Update Deployments: Intune can manage your system updates and patches and give you control over which patches get deployed to which systems and verify that the patches have been applied.
• Remote Assistance: You can use Intune to access your PCs to perform remote problem solving.
• Policy Management: Intune has functionality for controlling certain aspects of Windows via policies. If you currently use Group Policy, your Group Policy settings will override Intune’s if there is a conflict. The full list of Intune’s policy capabilities can be found here.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsintune/default.aspx