Why More SMEs Are Moving to Entra Joined Devices

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Jack Vesey

Managing Director
Jack holds a vast amount of experience in proposition management and development. In his career, he’s led initiatives across acquisition, commercial & governance in the financial services sector.

At bzb IT, he manages the strategic direction of the company.

Why More SMEs Are Moving to Entra Joined Devices

Many SMEs are still not fully aware of the benefits of Entra Joined devices, or what that actually means in practice.

Traditionally, devices have been enrolled on an on-premises domain. This worked well for years, but it often meant users needed to be connected to the office network or use a VPN just to receive updates or security policies.

With Entra Joined devices, that model changes completely.

By enrolling devices in Entra instead, you can manage them entirely in the cloud. There is no dependency on being in the office or connected via VPN. Policies, updates, and security controls are applied wherever the device is, providing greater flexibility without sacrificing control.

What this means day to day

Moving to Entra Joined devices allows you to:

  • Control sign-in using Entra ID
  • Apply consistent security policies across every device
  • Enforce compliance measures such as encryption, updates and antivirus
  • Manage applications and access from a central location

In simple terms, it gives you visibility and control over your devices without needing traditional infrastructure behind it.

What’s included with Microsoft 365 Business Premium

For many SMEs, the tools needed to achieve this are already included within Microsoft 365 Business Premium. This includes:

  • Entra ID for identity and access management
  • Intune for device management
  • Conditional Access for added security controls

This combination allows businesses to implement a modern approach to device management without needing enterprise-level licensing or maintaining on-premises systems.

A foundation for modern working

For most SMEs, this approach forms the foundation of modern device management. It supports remote and hybrid working more naturally, improves security, and reduces reliance on legacy systems.

The shift does not need to happen all at once, but understanding what is possible is often the first step.

Have you started making the transition, or are you still relying on a traditional setup?

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