Microsoft recently announced plans to include Intune Suite capabilities in Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 licenses. This is really big news that customers have been asking for and about since the Intune Suite was announced a few years ago. It is a statement that the company sees the realities of their IT customers, how they get through each day, and the challenges they must overcome. At the same time, it is clear Microsoft will continue to find ways to increase revenue to meet their greater business objectives.
For years, advanced endpoint management features were locked behind add‑on SKUs, creating friction between aspiration and adoption. By embedding these tools into agreements many organizations already hold, Microsoft is lowering barriers and inviting customers to rethink how endpoint management can drive both productivity and security.
Simplifying licensing is not only important but also a sound move. “I love my Microsoft Licensing model and experience,” said no one ever!
Jason Roszak, VP of Product for Microsoft Security, captured the moment: “Intune Suite is included in Microsoft 365 E3 and E5! Since launch, adoption has been phenomenal, and your feedback has been clear—simplifying licensing matters.”
Here is one of many posts related to these changes: Microsoft 365 adds advanced Microsoft Intune solutions at scale – Microsoft Intune Blog
The capabilities of Intune Suite are highly useful and cover a broad range of scenarios. For some organizations, those scenarios are handled and managed by multiple teams across organizational silos. This makes purchasing decisions difficult at times. But the needs are truly there. Addressing license complexity is a welcome move by Microsoft, helping organizations adopt these capabilities to enhance IT security and productivity.
Leaders need to balance the need for these capabilities against the overall costs of IT and the proposed cost increases.
What’s Inside the Intune Suite
The expanded licensing brings tangible features into reach:
- With E3 licensing,
- Remote Help
- Advanced Analytics
- Tunnel for Mobile Application Management,
- Specialty device management.
These directly address frontline challenges like supporting remote workers, proactively identifying device health issues, and managing diverse hardware fleets.
- With E5 licensing, customers unlock
- Endpoint Privilege Management
- Enterprise Application Management
- Cloud PKI
These align with Zero Trust principles, reducing risk while enabling automation and secure identity practices.
The Other Side of the Coin: Pricing Increases
At the same time, Microsoft announced price increases for E3 and E5 licenses effective July 2026 (fiscal year 2027).
- Office 365 E3: $23 → $26 per user/month (13% increase)
- Microsoft 365 E3: $36 → $39 (8% increase)
- Microsoft 365 E5: $57 → $60 (5% increase)
For customers, this creates some challenges and opportunities: maximize the value of new features while preparing budgets for higher subscription costs. The organizations that thrive will be those that pilot Intune Suite capabilities now, quantify ROI, and build a business case before the new pricing takes effect.
Third-party solutions that address similar scenarios as the Intune Suite can continue to provide deeper value, additional focus, and very competitive pricing, and organizations will continue to evaluate and balance cost/capabilities as they have for as long as IT and the software ecosystem have existed. To me, this provides some additional, welcome choices to consider.
Broader Security Context
Microsoft Intune has been on a journey that I am grateful to have been a part of for so long. Ultimately, it is a single component of the larger Microsoft Security Portfolio. Organizations must work across teams and silos to consider needs that span Intune, Sentinel, Purview, Defender, and, of course, EntraID to leverage the platform most effectively. Teams across Microsoft are currently focused on how AI will benefit customers. While Security CoPilot has delivered impressive new capabilities over the past few quarters, there is still a long way to go. This will also be raised as a cost vs. capabilities balance.
Reflection
For IT leaders, the takeaway is clear:
- Adoption is now easier: Features that once required justification are included in the licenses you already own.
- Costs are rising: Budget discipline and ROI measurement will be essential.
- Strategic alignment matters: Endpoint management is no longer tactical; it’s a pillar of productivity and security strategy.
This is a turning point. The organizations that pause, reflect, and plan will be best positioned to turn licensing changes into operational transformation.
So, what now?
Microsoft’s announcements are milestones, but milestones matter only if they drive progress. By combining expanded Intune Suite capabilities with thoughtful planning, organizations can move beyond licensing wins to achieve true operational resilience.
Third-party software companies, such as SDM Software, continue to align closely with organizations to meet them where they are. This includes not only providing capabilities that are missing from the Intune service (aka Gap Filling) but also supporting organizations on their journey toward greater cloud adoption. Being a trusted partner who can see where things are heading is key. Providing solutions that simplify and focus on areas that lack focus, and provide thoughtful leadership, leveraging deep experience and knowledge in the evolving IT landscape, will greatly benefit IT organizations of all sizes and complexities.
Now is a great time to take the time for a detailed analysis of what is going to be available, what the cost implications are, and prioritize. Most of this is going to fall on our leadership teams. For IT Pros with fingers on keyboards, evaluate the capabilities and how they align with scenarios critical to manage endpoints across the organization. Bring in groups representing end-user communities to ensure increased productivity as new solutions are introduced.
Lastly, continue to look across the third-party ecosystem for software partners who address real-world needs to help your organization thrive.
About the author
Kevin Sullivan, Principal Consultant at SDM Software, is a veteran Product Manager with almost 30 years of experience driving innovation in enterprise IT management. He spent half of his career at Microsoft, where he led transformative initiatives in Windows-based infrastructure, endpoint management, compliance, and automation. Kevin believes that the best product strategies should bridge technical depth with business impact. Combining deep technical knowledge with real-world product experience, he always finds a way to connect product architecture, business strategy, and user outcomes.