10 Intune Application Deployment Best Practices
If you're looking for the best practices for deploying Intune applications, look no further. This article covers everything you need to know.
Intune is a cloud-based service from Microsoft that helps organizations manage their mobile devices, PCs, and applications. It provides a comprehensive set of features to help organizations manage their devices and applications, including application deployment.
Application deployment is an important part of Intune, and it is important to follow best practices when deploying applications. In this article, we will discuss 10 Intune application deployment best practices that will help you ensure successful application deployment.
1. Use a single app deployment type
Using a single app deployment type ensures that all of the applications you deploy are configured in the same way. This makes it easier to manage and troubleshoot any issues that may arise, as well as simplifying the process for users when they install or update an application. Additionally, using a single app deployment type helps ensure that your applications are deployed consistently across devices, which is important for security and compliance purposes.
2. Use the same content location for all deployment types
When you use the same content location for all deployment types, it ensures that your users always have access to the latest version of the application. This is especially important when deploying applications with frequent updates or patches. By using the same content location, you can ensure that all users are running the most up-to-date version of the application.
Additionally, using the same content location makes it easier to manage and troubleshoot deployments. If there’s an issue with a particular deployment type, you’ll be able to quickly identify which content location was used and take appropriate action.
3. Use the same detection method for all deployment types
Using the same detection method ensures that all applications are deployed in a consistent manner. This helps to reduce complexity and makes it easier for IT admins to troubleshoot any issues that may arise. Additionally, using the same detection method allows Intune to accurately detect whether an application is installed or not, which is important when deploying updates or new versions of existing applications. Finally, using the same detection method also helps ensure that applications are properly removed from devices when they are no longer needed.
4. Use the same requirements for all deployment types
When you use the same requirements for all deployment types, it ensures that your applications are deployed consistently across devices. This helps to reduce errors and makes troubleshooting easier. It also allows you to quickly identify any issues with a particular application or device type.
Using the same requirements also helps to ensure that users have access to the same features regardless of their device type. This is especially important if you’re deploying an enterprise-level application, as different versions may not be compatible with certain devices. By using the same requirements, you can guarantee that everyone has access to the same version of the application.
5. Use the same dependencies for all deployment types
When you deploy an application with Intune, it’s important to make sure that all of the necessary components are included in the package. This includes any dependencies such as .NET Framework or Visual C++ Redistributables. If these components aren’t included, then the application may not install correctly on the target device.
By using the same dependencies for all deployment types, you can ensure that your applications will always be installed properly and without issue. This also helps reduce the amount of time spent troubleshooting installation issues, since you know that all of the necessary components have already been included in the package.
6. Don’t use pre-deployment scripts
Pre-deployment scripts can be difficult to troubleshoot and maintain, as they are often written in a language that is not natively supported by Intune. Additionally, pre-deployment scripts can cause unexpected issues with the application deployment process, such as conflicts between different versions of the same script or incompatibilities between the script and the target device.
Instead of using pre-deployment scripts, use Intune’s built-in features for deploying applications. This includes setting up dependencies between applications, configuring installation parameters, and creating custom installers. These features provide an easier way to deploy applications without having to write complex scripts.
7. Don’t use post-deployment scripts
Post-deployment scripts can be difficult to troubleshoot and maintain, as they are often written in a language that is not natively supported by Intune. Additionally, post-deployment scripts can cause unexpected issues with the application or device if they are not properly tested before deployment.
Instead of using post-deployment scripts, use Intune’s built-in features for configuring applications after installation. For example, you can configure settings such as registry keys, environment variables, and file system permissions directly within Intune. This will help ensure that your applications are configured correctly without having to rely on potentially unreliable post-deployment scripts.
8. Don’t use uninstall scripts
Uninstall scripts can cause unexpected behavior, such as leaving behind files or registry entries that could interfere with the installation of a new version.
Additionally, uninstall scripts are not always reliable and may fail to remove all components of an application. This can lead to conflicts between different versions of the same application, which can be difficult to troubleshoot.
Instead, use Intune’s built-in features for managing applications. For example, you can deploy multiple versions of an application side by side, so users can switch between them if needed. You can also set up automatic updates to ensure users always have the latest version installed.
9. Don’t deploy apps to users or devices that don’t need them
Deploying unnecessary apps can lead to a number of issues, including:
– Increased storage and memory usage on devices.
– Unnecessary updates that take up bandwidth and time.
– Potential security risks from unused applications.
To avoid these problems, it’s important to only deploy the applications that are necessary for users or devices. This means taking the time to assess which applications are needed and then deploying them accordingly. Additionally, you should regularly review your application deployments to ensure they are still relevant and up-to-date.
10. Deploy apps as required instead of available
When you deploy an app as required, it ensures that the app is installed on all devices in your organization. This helps to ensure that users have access to the apps they need and that those apps are up-to-date with the latest security patches and features.
On the other hand, when you deploy an app as available, users must manually install the app themselves. This can lead to confusion and frustration for users who may not be aware of the app or how to install it. It also increases the risk of users running outdated versions of the app which could put their data at risk.