Understanding Microsoft Intune Add-on Licenses and the Intune Suite
Understanding Microsoft Intune Add-on Licenses
Section titled “Understanding Microsoft Intune Add-on Licenses”A Guide to Expanding Endpoint Management Capabilities with Intune Plan 2 and the Intune Suite
Section titled “A Guide to Expanding Endpoint Management Capabilities with Intune Plan 2 and the Intune Suite”Microsoft Intune has evolved from a baseline Mobile Device Management (MDM) tool into a comprehensive endpoint security and management platform. While Intune Plan 1 provides the core foundation for managing Windows, iOS, and Android devices, Microsoft offers specialized add-on licenses to address advanced security, remote support, and certificate management needs. This article explores these add-on options, their business value, and the significant licensing shifts occurring in 2026.
Overview
Section titled “Overview”As organizations face more sophisticated cyber threats and the complexities of hybrid work, basic device management is often no longer sufficient. Microsoft addresses these challenges through Intune Plan 2 and the Microsoft Intune Suite. These add-ons introduce high-value capabilities such as Endpoint Privilege Management (EPM), Cloud PKI, and Advanced Analytics.
Technically, these licenses are “step-up” or “add-on” subscriptions. This means they require a base license of Intune Plan 1 (which is included in Microsoft 365 E3/E5 and Business Premium) to be active before they can be assigned to users.
Key Benefits
Section titled “Key Benefits”| Benefit | Capability | Business Value |
|---|---|---|
| Zero Trust Security | Endpoint Privilege Management | Reduces the attack surface by eliminating permanent local admin rights while allowing users to perform authorized tasks. |
| Reduced Infrastructure | Microsoft Cloud PKI | Removes the need for complex on-premises Certificate Authority (CA) infrastructure by moving certificate management to the cloud. |
| Improved Support | Remote Help | Provides a secure, cloud-native helpdesk solution for Windows, macOS, and Android, reducing mean-time-to-resolution (MTTR). |
| Proactive Management | Advanced Analytics | Leverages AI-driven insights to detect device performance issues before they impact user productivity. |
The Microsoft Intune Suite vs. Individual Add-ons
Section titled “The Microsoft Intune Suite vs. Individual Add-ons”Organizations have the flexibility to purchase specific capabilities a la carte or bundle them into the comprehensive Microsoft Intune Suite.
1. Microsoft Intune Plan 2
Section titled “1. Microsoft Intune Plan 2”This is the first level of add-on, focusing on specialized device management.
- Specialty Device Management: Support for VR/AR headsets (HoloLens), large-screen devices (Surface Hub), and meeting room devices.
- Microsoft Tunnel for MAM: Secure access to on-premises resources for unmanaged (BYOD) mobile devices via a VPN gateway.
- Firmware-over-the-Air (FOTA): Advanced control over firmware updates for supported mobile devices.
2. Microsoft Intune Suite (The Bundle)
Section titled “2. Microsoft Intune Suite (The Bundle)”The Suite includes everything in Plan 2, plus the following premium components:
- Endpoint Privilege Management (EPM): Define rules for standard users to elevate specific applications or tasks.
- Enterprise Application Management: A hosted catalog that simplifies the discovery, deployment, and updating of third-party apps.
- Advanced Endpoint Analytics: Deep-dive reporting on device health, battery life, and app performance.
- Cloud PKI: Automated certificate lifecycle management for authentication and Wi-Fi profiles.
- Remote Help: Integrated secure remote assistance.
2026 Licensing Changes
Section titled “2026 Licensing Changes”Starting July 1, 2026, Microsoft is significantly restructuring how these features are delivered to Enterprise customers.
| Current State (Pre-July 2026) | New State (Post-July 2026) |
|---|---|
| Add-on Model: Most features require separate $10/user Suite license. | Integrated Model: Many Suite features will be included directly in M365 E3 and E5. |
| A la Carte: Individual features sold as separate line items. | Unified Pricing: Base suite prices (E3/E5) will increase to reflect these built-in values. |
| Legacy E5: Optional add-ons. | Standard E5: Remote Help, Advanced Analytics, EPM, and Cloud PKI become standard E5 features. |
Best Practices
Section titled “Best Practices”| Best Practice | Description | Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| Consolidate Tools | Audit third-party remote help or PKI tools to see if Intune Suite can replace them. | Compare current vendor costs against the $10/user Suite price. |
| Test EPM First | Use Endpoint Privilege Management to remove local admin rights without breaking developer workflows. | Create elevation rules for specific signed installers. |
| Leverage Analytics | Use Advanced Analytics to identify “noisy” apps that crash frequently. | Monitor the Endpoint Analytics dashboard weekly for anomalies. |
| Check Renewal Dates | Review license renewals before the July 2026 price increases. | Engage with your CSP to lock in current pricing before July 1. |
Conclusion
Section titled “Conclusion”The expansion of Microsoft Intune through add-on licenses signals a shift toward a more unified, security-centric management model. By moving advanced features like PKI and privilege management into the cloud, IT administrators can significantly reduce their on-premises footprint and administrative overhead.
Key Takeaway: The Microsoft Intune Suite offers the best value for organizations seeking to adopt a Zero Trust architecture, especially those looking to eliminate local admin rights and simplify third-party app patching.
With the upcoming 2026 integration of these features into core Microsoft 365 suites, now is the ideal time for administrators to begin testing these capabilities to prepare for the transition.
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