What the New Intune Licensing Model Means for Your Organisation

Microsoft has announced a notable evolution of Microsoft 365 that will reshape how organisations use and value Microsoft Intune. From July 2026, advanced Intune capabilities that were previously licensed separately will be included within Microsoft 365 E3 and E5. This marks a significant shift in Microsoft’s endpoint management strategy and has important implications for IT teams, security leaders, and budget holders. 

Intune Features Move from Add Ons to Core Platform 

For many organisations, Intune has already become the foundation of device and application management. However, unlocking its more advanced capabilities often required additional licensing through the Intune Suite. That model is now changing. 

By including key Intune features directly in Microsoft 365 E3 and E5, Microsoft is positioning Intune not as an optional enhancement but as a core enterprise service. Capabilities such as Remote Help, Advanced Analytics, Endpoint Privilege Management, Enterprise Application Management, and Cloud PKI are becoming standard for enterprise customers rather than premium extras. 

This lowers the barrier to adoption and encourages organisations to fully embrace modern endpoint management without complex licensing decisions. 

Stronger Security as Standard 

One of the most important impacts of this change is security. Endpoint Privilege Management allows organisations to remove standing local admin rights while still enabling users to complete their work. Enterprise Application Management improves control over app deployment and trust. Cloud PKI simplifies certificate management at scale. 

When these tools are widely available, organisations can implement stronger security baselines across all managed devices rather than limiting advanced controls to a subset of users. This supports zero trust principles and reduces exposure to common attack paths. 

Improved IT Efficiency and User Experience 

Including Remote Help and Advanced Analytics within core licences also has a direct operational benefit. IT teams can resolve issues faster, gain deeper insight into device health, and proactively address performance problems before they impact users. 

This shift allows IT departments to move away from reactive support models and towards a more predictive and data led approach. For end users, the result is fewer disruptions, faster resolution times, and a more consistent experience across devices. 

Simplified Licensing and Clearer Value 

From a commercial perspective, this change simplifies Microsoft 365 licensing. Instead of layering multiple addons on top of E3 or E5, organisations gain access to a broader set of capabilities through a single licence. 

While Microsoft has announced pricing updates from July 2026, the inclusion of advanced Intune functionality helps justify that increase by delivering tangible operational and security value. For many customers, this may also replace third party tools, reducing overall complexity and cost. 

A Strategic Signal from Microsoft 

This announcement sends a message about Microsoft’s long term direction. Endpoint management, identity, and security are no longer separate conversations. Intune sits at the centre of the modern workplace, tightly integrated with Entra, Defender, and the wider Microsoft 365 ecosystem. 

Organisations that have treated Intune as a basic mobile device management tool may now need to revisit their strategy. The platform is evolving into a comprehensive endpoint management and security solution, and Microsoft is making sure that most enterprises can access its full potential. 

Need support navigating these changes?

The upcoming 2026 updates introduce new capabilities, new licensing structures, and important decisions for IT, security, and procurement teams. Understanding what these changes mean for your organisation involves more than reading announcements. It requires aligning Microsoft’s roadmap with your existing tools, operational model, and long term strategy. 

If you would like help assessing the impact of the updates, planning your approach, or ensuring that the new capabilities are implemented effectively, our team of Microsoft 365 and Intune specialists is available to support you. We can provide: 

• Clear guidance on how the July 2026 changes affect your current licensing and costs 

• A tailored endpoint management roadmap that reflects your environment and device mix 

• Practical implementation of new Intune capabilities, security controls, and operational processes 

• Independent advice to ensure that your decisions are based on what works best for your organisation 

Whether you are modernising your endpoint management strategy or simply aiming to stay ahead of Microsoft’s evolving plans, expert consultancy can help you make well informed and confident decision. Just contact us at info@applicable.com to discover how we can help. 

Final Thoughts 

The inclusion of advanced Intune capabilities in Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 is more than a licensing change. It is a sizeable shift in how endpoint management is delivered and consumed. 

For IT leaders, this is an opportunity to standardise, strengthen security, and simplify operations. For organisations still relying on legacy device management or fragmented tools, it may be the catalyst to modernise. 

Intune is no longer just part of Microsoft 365. It is becoming one of its most critical pillars.