Hey everyone, I'm looking to get some insights from fellow sysadmins as we make a big change over here. We're in the process of moving away from Omnissa (formerly known as VMware) Horizon, primarily because a large portion of our operations are tied up in it, and we're facing some challenges. We're an all-Windows, Active Directory, and O365 environment, managing around 400 users spread across 30 sites.
The plan is to shift these users to local machines and optimize our processes and tools in the process. Currently, most of our users are heavily reliant on Horizon, which makes management straightforward but complicated by its issues, including licensing trouble and performance with certain applications.
I'm looking for experienced voices to weigh in on a few specific topics:
1. Since we only have O365 licenses, can Intune handle the endpoint management needs, including deployments and remote control? How does it stack up against third-party solutions?
2. What's the best approach to profile management for users scattered in rural areas with varying internet quality? Especially considering the need for reliable access to their data without compromising it.
3. Is there a viable path for transitioning from Crowdstrike to Microsoft Defender for endpoint security, and how do they compare?
4. Given the unreliable internet at some sites, what are my options for users who want to stay with Horizon, or should we consider Azure VDI desktops for a few users?
5. Are the capabilities we need feasible under M365 E3 licenses, especially for those tasked with deploying computers? Any insights before a meeting with an MS expert would be appreciated!
5 Answers
For your first question about Intune, yes, it'll help with device management, deployments, and more. Just to clarify, use pure Intune and not to rely solely on Configuration Manager. Remote Help should work fine if you're fully Windows-based, but be ready as it’s still getting polished up.
E3 licenses should cover your needs, but be cautious about which features are available. Licensing can get a bit tricky, especially with add-ons for advanced features, so keep that in mind as you plan your strategy moving forward!
Good to know it's possible! I'll make sure to bring up any potential licensing hurdles in our meeting.
If you have users who are struggling with the internet, maybe keeping a minimal Horizon setup could help maintain service continuity. For Azure VDI, you may need a good express route. That said, running costs could spike depending on usage—something to weigh carefully!
That’s a great point about balancing costs and usage! I’ll make sure to clarify this in our discussions.
Switching from VDI to local PCs can be compelling for a lot of reasons. It helps sidestep VMWare’s licensing headaches and it addresses performance issues with key applications that don't play well in a virtualized setting. Plus, when your president is pushing for a local solution, that tends to make it a priority!
Totally get that, it's tough when company leadership has a preference for one tech over another.
You might want to consider OneDrive KFM for profile management. It's a modern approach, but be aware of potential sync issues, especially with users who have old structured data. If you can integrate it with some offline files, it might provide the best of both worlds for users with questionable internet access at various sites.
That makes sense! Rowing profiles seemed outdated, but I get the difficulty in transitioning without dedicated server support.
Thanks! I'm trying to get a handle on all the terms since Microsoft keeps changing their product names. Good to know we should have capabilities!