How to Manage and Deploy Microsoft 365 Apps
Keeping Office apps up to date and in sync across your organization can feel like a juggling act. Microsoft 365 Apps Admin Center and Intune can help you take control. Here’s how they work and what you need to know.
Managing Microsoft 365 Apps with the Admin Center
The Microsoft 365 Apps Admin Center is a cloud portal for all your Office apps. It gives you a single view of devices, update status, policies, and health data.
Key Features
Inventory
You see every device running Office. You get OS version, Office build, update channel, and last sign-in. You can filter, export, and spot devices that need attention.
Security Update Tracking
You track who has the latest patches. Set compliance goals, check coverage by channel and version, and find devices missing critical fixes.
Servicing Profiles
Automate monthly updates for current or enterprise channels. You can roll out in waves based on Azure AD groups. You can exclude certain devices, defer updates, or roll back if needed.
Health Insights
View crash rates, launch times, and version-specific issues. You get guidance on fixes, side-by-side health comparisons, and when it’s safe to roll back.
OneDrive Sync Health
Monitor sync app version, error rates, and Known Folder Move status. You’ll know when users hit sync errors and where fixes are needed.
Cloud Policy Service
Apply user-based settings even on unmanaged or BYOD devices. Control macros, diagnostic data levels, quiet hours, and other app behaviors.
Why It Matters for Your Team
- You get a clear picture of who is up to date and who isn’t.
- You can automate updates and limit disruptions.
- You spot performance or reliability issues before they become help-desk tickets.
- You enforce security and privacy policies on every device.
Deploying Store Apps with Intune
Intune helps you push apps from Microsoft Store, Apple App Store, and Google Play. You can set apps as required, available in the company portal, or uninstall apps you no longer want.
Microsoft Store (Windows)
- Supports UWP and Win32 apps via the new Store integration.
- In Intune: go to Apps > All apps > Create > Store app (new).
- Search the store, assign apps to users or devices, and let Intune handle updates.
- Keep in mind no paid or ARM64 apps yet, and some install contexts aren’t supported.
Apple App Store (iOS, iPadOS, macOS)
- Use public apps or those bought through Apple Business Manager.
- In Intune: Apps > Create > iOS store app.
- Link your VPP token to manage licenses.
- Apps show up in the Company Portal for users to install.
- You need apps to be public and updates follow App Store rules.
Google Play Store (Android)
- Supports public Play Store apps and private, managed apps.
- In Intune: Apps > Android > Create > Android store app or Managed Google Play.
- Browse and approve apps in a Managed Google Play iframe.
- Assign to work profiles or fully managed devices.
- Requires Android Enterprise and approved apps before deployment.
Key Points for Deployment
- Know each store’s limits: paid apps, ARM64, or install contexts may differ.
- Choose assignment types: Required, Available, or Uninstall.
- Understand license tokens (VPP) and enrollment needs (Android Enterprise, ABM).
- Updates follow each store’s process—plan accordingly.
Getting Started
- Sign in to the Microsoft 365 Apps Admin Center to review your inventory and set up servicing profiles.
- Link your Intune tenant to each platform store (Microsoft, Apple, Google).
- Create policies and assignments. Test with a small group before a full rollout.
- Monitor health and update status in the Admin Center dashboards.
- Tweak waves, exclusions, or rollback options as you learn what works best.
Using these tools cuts down manual work and keeps your users on secure, supported Office apps. And that makes everyone’s life a bit easier.
