Rimo3 is In Tune with Intune

Applications are an integral facet of every user device, and Rimo3 has further simplified all aspects of application modernization: testing, conversion, and migration, with their newly announced Intune integration. Rimo3 has already proven its relevance as a resource-saving and efficient tool for testing applications to confirm feasibility for Windows operating systems, and the innovative Intune migration functionality further enhances the value that Rimo3 brings to enterprises.

Before delving into the new Intune integration capabilities, let's step back and define the endpoint management space, past and present, to fully grasp why this new functionality is significant.

Endpoint Management

Endpoint management tools enable enterprises to control and administer both applications and devices, often referred to as mobile application management (MAM) and mobile device management (MDM).  Endpoint management includes functionality such as patch management, software distribution, device inventory, software cataloging, security configuration, installation of wifi and VPN certificates, and blocking jailbroken or non-compliant devices.

Key players in the endpoint management space include Microsoft Endpoint Manager, IBM MaaS360, and VMware Workspace One (formerly AirWatch).  Microsoft Intune is the Azure-based version of Microsoft Endpoint Manager, whereas the on-premises functionality is called Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, previously known as System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) and Systems Management Server (SMS).  For well over two decades, Microsoft has been managing endpoints, and this market continues to grow amongst all vendors.

Endpoint management can control enterprise or user-owned (BYOD) devices, which may range from the user mobile device, to the corporate computer, to the virtual desktop. Because user devices are often laden with opportunistic malware and lax configurations that may breach corporate resources, endpoint management standardizes security, access capabilities, and apps. Likewise, corporate devices, whether based on physical computers or virtual desktops, can be effectively managed from the perspective of the operating system, hardware, and software.

Virtual Desktops

Virtual desktops have become or are becoming the norm for many enterprises. Key players in the virtual desktop space include Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop, NetApp Spot, VMware Horizon, and Citrix Virtual Desktops. 

A virtual desktop is comprised of three main components:

• Operating system
• Personalization
• Applications
  

The operating system aspect is fairly straightforward, with Windows 11 being deployed most commonly.  Personalization, i.e., user profile and customizations, are largely addressed with FSLogix or other third party tools like Liquidware, by effectively "bolting on" this individualized data. Applications, however, continue to present thorny challenges.

Alternatively, individual virtualized applications can be presented to users sans the full desktop experience, but virtualized apps have the same common denominator and pain point as virtual desktops, i.e., apps.

Applications = Significant Pain

Application deployment is just a matter of clicking next a few times or automating an MSIX deployment, right?  Ah, no!  If you've ever been in the trenches, you fully grasp the significant pain points associated with application complexities.

Enterprise IT typically supports hundreds or sometimes even thousands of applications. Deploying and maintaining applications are a taxing and complex aspect of every IT organization. Which applications will work with which operating system? Will applications support full functionality on a multi-user operating system? What has changed in the newest version of an application? Does the application function correctly on the target operating system with our GPOs, and security posture applied?

Applications should be easy, but in reality, they're quite complex. Initial testing, deployment, and maintenance always exceeds expectations because each app is different. As a result of IT staffing shortages, application upgrades--including those patches that include security updates--may be delayed, opening the door to a breach. In addition, projects such as Windows 11 migrations are delayed excessively because application integration and testing prove to be more time consuming than originally planned. There must be a better way ... !   

Rimo3 Addresses Applications

Rather than building VMs, installing apps, running tests, and documenting results, Rimo3 automates application testing, providing significant time savings to enterprise IT. The many hours or days necessary for properly testing an application are effectively compressed into a few minutes of admin time, which is largely comprised of designating the application to be tested and choosing which workspace the intelligent smoke test is executed against.

Because each application can be tested against the enterprise GPOs, and security posture, the results are customized for the environment. For example, an application may fail when tested against the soon-to-be-deployed multi-user enterprise infrastructure with new GPOs. Is the issue multi-user functionality, GPOs, or basic application failure? Running these types of tests would take an administrator significant time, but with Rimo3, additional tests can be subsequently performed with just a few clicks to narrow down the issue(s).

In addition to testing applications, Rimo3 can also create production ready MSIX packages as a part of the automated testing process. But wait, there's more ... !

Export to Intune

Rimo3 now allows administrators to export tested application packages directly into Intune, further saving administrative work effort. Right from the Rimo3 admin interface, the Intune server connection can be created, and application packages can be exported singularly or in bulk. Thus, the last mile of application integration with Intune can be completed with just a few clicks.

 

Image: Rimo3 Intune Modernization Dashboard

After configuring the Intune server connection, the export process is initiated simply by selecting the applications to be exported. The actual bulk export process can be monitored on the Rimo3 console screen, but you'd best not blink too many times, or you'll miss viewing the transfer. In actuality, each package will typically take less than a minute.

Functionality extends beyond exporting only MSIX packages. With just a few clicks, Rimo3 conditional logic is applied, and MSIs can packaged with an .intunewin wrapper and likewise be exported directly into Intune.    

Why is the New Intune Functionality Important?

Automating application testing and exporting to Intune saves administrators even more time and effort and streamlines application management. That's a huge wow because behind-the-scenes automation that saves logging into another console or system and then performing additional tasks saves time and eliminates manual processes. This is especially critical as organizations accelerate to environments like Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), and Windows 365 / Cloud PC, leveraging solutions like Nerdio, also supported as part of the latest Rimo3 release.

In addition, within many organizations, separation of administrative functions may dictate that the admin that performs testing with Rimo3 may not be the same admin that oversees Intune. This new Intune capability enables the applications to "automagically" become available within Intune, further streamlining application deployment and endpoint management. 

As part of the Rimo3 launch for Intune support I recently co-hosted a webinar with Josh Traver's, Customer Success Lead for Rimo3. You can watch the replay here, or just the 5 minute demo video for Intune or Nerdio support.

 

Image: Rimo3 Export to Nerdio

Rimo3's patented technologies simplify and automate the modernization of application testing, conversion, and migration, and the innovative Intune integration further validates that Rimo3 has the right automation platform to successfully take your organization on their application and workspace "modernization journey."

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Jo Harder has been hands-on with virtualization technologies since 1999, back in the early days of Citrix WinFrame and MetaFrame.  She loves to explore the 0s and 1s (literally!) of technology and has held both vendor and customer roles.  Jo is a Citrix Technology Professional awardee and a Women in Technology mentor.