Microsoft Intune Suite adds advanced endpoint management capabilities on top of the standard Intune included in Microsoft 365. Here is what it includes, what it costs, and who actually needs it.
Microsoft Intune has become the standard mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) platform for businesses using Microsoft 365. It is included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium and most E3/E5 enterprise plans, which means millions of Australian businesses already have access to it.
In 2023, Microsoft introduced the Microsoft Intune Suite - a premium add-on that sits on top of the standard Intune offering and adds a set of advanced capabilities aimed primarily at enterprise environments. The add-on costs around AUD $12-15 per user per month (pricing varies).
The question we get from clients is: do we need the Intune Suite, or is standard Intune sufficient?
The honest answer is: for most SMBs with 10-200 staff, standard Intune is sufficient. But there are specific scenarios where the Suite capabilities are genuinely valuable. This article breaks down what is in the Suite, what you already get with standard Intune, and how to assess whether the upgrade is worthwhile for your business.
What You Already Get with Standard Intune
Before evaluating the Suite, it is worth being clear on what standard Intune includes. Many businesses pay for Intune as part of their Microsoft 365 subscription but are only using 20% of its capabilities.
Device Management (MDM)
- Enrol and manage Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux devices
- Deploy configuration profiles (Wi-Fi, VPN, email settings, security policies)
- Enforce compliance policies (require PIN, encryption, OS version minimums)
- Remotely wipe, lock, or retire devices
- Deploy and manage applications
Application Management (MAM)
- Manage apps on personal devices without enrolling the device itself
- Apply data protection policies to corporate apps on personal devices (prevent copy/paste from Outlook to personal apps, require PIN for corporate apps)
- Selectively wipe corporate data from personal devices
Endpoint Security
- Integration with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Security baselines that apply CIS/Microsoft-recommended security configurations
- Attack surface reduction rules
- Vulnerability management reporting (with Defender for Endpoint)
Autopilot and Deployment
- Windows Autopilot for zero-touch device deployment
- Automated enrolment of new devices into your management environment
- Application deployment to new devices at first login
For most SMBs, this list covers the vast majority of endpoint management requirements. If you are not using these capabilities today, the priority should be implementing them before considering the Suite upgrade.
What Microsoft Intune Suite Adds
The Suite bundles several capabilities that were previously separate add-ons or are new features:
1. Microsoft Tunnel for MAM (Mobile Application Management)
Allows individual apps on personal mobile devices to connect to your corporate network through a VPN tunnel - without enrolling the device in MDM or routing all device traffic through the corporate network.
When this matters: Healthcare, legal, or financial services firms where staff use personal iPhones for work and you need those specific apps to have secure access to internal resources, without requiring full device enrolment.
For most SMBs: Probably not needed. Full device enrolment with Autopilot is the simpler approach for company-owned devices, and MAM without enrolment handles basic personal device scenarios without needing the Tunnel.
2. Endpoint Privilege Management (EPM)
Allows standard users to perform specific administrative tasks (installing specific approved software, running specific elevated processes) without being granted full local administrator rights.
When this matters: Industries or roles where staff regularly need to install approved software (engineers with CAD tools, developers with development tools) but you cannot give them full admin rights for security reasons.
For most SMBs: This is the Suite feature with the broadest applicability. Giving all staff local admin rights is a common security misconfiguration, and EPM provides a middle ground that is more practical than removing all elevation capability.
3. Advanced Endpoint Analytics
Enhanced analytics showing device performance, app reliability, startup performance, and battery health across your fleet. Allows proactive identification of devices that are slowing down before users start complaining.
When this matters: Organisations managing hundreds of devices where proactive hardware refresh planning has real cost implications.
For most SMBs: Standard Intune already provides basic device reporting. The advanced analytics are useful but probably not worth the Suite cost on their own.
4. Remote Help
A built-in remote assistance tool that allows your IT support team to take control of a user’s device securely and with audit logging.
When this matters: If you are using a managed IT provider, they likely already have a remote support tool (ConnectWise, TeamViewer, or similar). If you manage IT internally and want a native Microsoft-integrated remote support tool, Remote Help is clean and well-integrated.
For most SMBs using a managed IT provider: Your provider already has this capability. Not a differentiating factor.
5. Intune Plan 2 (Enhanced Management)
Adds management capabilities for specialised devices including:
- Firmware management for Windows devices (Microsoft Surface and some other OEM devices)
- Specialised device management for frontline worker scenarios
- Enhanced mobile device management options
When this matters: Organisations with a significant Surface fleet or specialised frontline worker device scenarios (retail, manufacturing, healthcare).
For most SMBs: Unless you have a Surface-heavy fleet, this adds limited value over standard Intune.
The Honest Assessment for SMBs
| Business Profile | Intune Suite Recommendation |
|---|---|
| 10-50 staff, standard office environment | Standard Intune sufficient if properly configured |
| 50-200 staff, need fine-grained privilege management | EPM alone may justify the Suite cost |
| Professional services with personal device requirement | Tunnel for MAM worth evaluating |
| Healthcare or legal with strict compliance requirements | Suite worth serious evaluation |
| Already fully utilising standard Intune features | Good candidate for Suite evaluation |
| Not using Intune features today | Implement standard Intune first |
The More Important Question
Before asking whether you need the Intune Suite, ask whether you are actually using the standard Intune capabilities you already pay for.
We regularly find Microsoft 365 Business Premium clients who are:
- Not enforcing compliance policies on devices
- Not using Autopilot for device deployment
- Not using application protection policies on mobile devices
- Not reviewing security baseline compliance
If this describes your environment, the ROI on implementing standard Intune properly is far higher than any incremental benefit from the Suite. The Suite is a meaningful upgrade for organisations that have already maximised standard Intune. It is not a shortcut for organisations that have not started.
Making the Decision
The evaluation process for Intune Suite should involve:
- Audit your current Intune configuration - what are you actually using vs. what is available?
- Identify your specific gaps - which Suite features address actual pain points?
- Calculate the cost - at ~$15/user/month for 50 users, that is $750/month or $9,000/year
- Compare alternatives - some Suite features have third-party equivalents that may integrate with your existing toolset
CX IT Services advises clients on Microsoft 365 licensing and Intune configuration as part of our managed IT service. If you want an honest assessment of whether the Intune Suite makes sense for your business, or whether you should focus on better utilising what you already have, book a Right Fit Call.
