Managing hardware inventory is an aspect of IT administration, ensuring that organizations have a clear understanding of their device landscape. Microsoft Intune, offers robust capabilities for collecting and managing hardware inventory data from Windows devices. This article explores how Intune enhances hardware inventory management and why it’s essential for IT environments.

What is Windows Device Hardware Inventory?

Windows Device Hardware Inventory in Microsoft Intune allows IT administrators to collect detailed information about the hardware components of managed devices. This includes data on processors, memory, storage, and other critical hardware attributes. By leveraging this feature, organizations can maintain an up-to-date inventory, streamline troubleshooting, and make informed decisions about hardware upgrades and replacements.

Key Benefits of Using Intune for Hardware Inventory

  1. Comprehensive Data Collection: Intune’s enhanced hardware inventory capabilities provide detailed insights into device hardware. This includes information on CPU, RAM, disk drives, network adapters, and more. Such comprehensive data collection helps IT teams understand the exact specifications of their device fleet.
  2. Improved Troubleshooting: With detailed hardware information readily available, IT administrators can quickly diagnose and resolve hardware-related issues. This reduces downtime and improves overall productivity.
  3. Informed Decision-Making: Access to accurate hardware inventory data enables organizations to make better decisions regarding hardware procurement and lifecycle management. This ensures that devices meet performance requirements and are replaced or upgraded as needed.
  4. Enhanced Security: Knowing the hardware details of all devices helps in assessing compliance with security standards. For instance, ensuring that all devices have TPM 2.0 for enhanced security measures.

How to Enable Hardware Inventory in Intune

  1. Sign in to the Intune Admin Center: Access the Microsoft Intune Admin Center and log in with your administrative credentials.
  2. Create a Device Configuration Profile:
    • Navigate to Devices > Manage Devices > Configuration profiles > Create > New Policy.
    • Select Platform as Windows 10 and later.
    • Choose Profile type as Properties catalog.
    • Click on Create.
      Intune Hardware Inventory
  3. Add a Name and Description
    • Provide a Name and Description for the profile.
    • Click on Next.
  4. Configure Hardware Inventory Properties:
    • Click on Add properties.
    • Select the desired Properties.
    • Click Select.
      Intune Hardware Inventory
  5. Assign the Profile:
    • Click 2 times Next to Assign the profile to the desired device groups.
    • Click on Next to review and Create to deploy the policy.
  6. Monitor Inventory Data:
    • Go to Reports > Device Attestation StatusDevices > Windows > select a device.
    • Under the Monitor section, select Resource Explorer to view the collected hardware data.

Future Enhancements

Microsoft continues to enhance Intune’s capabilities, with plans to extend hardware inventory features to other platforms such as macOS, iOS/iPadOS, and Android. This cross-platform support will provide a unified view of hardware inventory across all managed devices, further simplifying IT management.

 

Paul Cobben