- Microsoft Intune enables the deployment, configuration, and protection of applications on corporate devices, both mobile and desktop.
- Microsoft Store for Business and Intune integrate to facilitate centralized deployment of large-scale apps with online or offline licensing.
- Internal or custom LOB applications can be implemented in addition to apps available in official Microsoft, Apple and stores Google.
- Flexible management allows you to configure policies, control permissions, and automate updates based on organizational needs.
In business environments, distribute and maintain applications centrally on dozens or hundreds of devices can be a complicated task if you don't have the right tools. Microsoft offers solutions such as Microsoft Store for Business y Microsoft Intune, which allow not only the massive deployment of applications, but also the automated management of updates, permissions, configuration, and licenses.
This guide compiles in detail everything you need to perform mass application deployment using Intune and the Microsoft Store for Business, including integration with systems such as Configuration Manager (SCCM), XenMobile, and Apple Business Manager.
What is Microsoft Store for Business?
Microsoft Store for Business is an online platform that enables organizations to acquire, manage and distribute applications Windows privately. From this store, administrators can access free or paid versions of apps and decide whether to deploy them online or offline.
Applications with online license require the device to be connected to the Microsoft cloud to validate installation and use. In contrast, applications with offline license allow completely local distribution without the need for Internet access.
What is Microsoft Intune and how does it fit into the process?
Intune is a management service for mobile devices (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM), designed to help organizations control their application usage and data security. With Intune, you can:
- Install and update applications automatically
- Restrict functionality such as copy and paste or save files outside the corporate environment
- Create configuration and protection policies specific by department or role
- Assign applications to users or devices according to Azure Active Directory groups
Types of applications that can be deployed with Intune
Intune supports many types of apps:
- Store apps (Google Play, Apple App Store, Microsoft Store)
- Line of business (LOB) applications: created internally, for exclusive organizational use
- Web apps: Configurable shortcuts to cloud-hosted applications
- Integrated: as Microsoft 365, Edge, Defender or Teams
These applications can be fully managed from a single dashboard, enabling automatic updates, license revocation, auditing, and more.
Initial Setup: Requirements and Considerations
Before beginning any mass deployment, several key aspects must be taken into account:
- Have a Microsoft Store for Business account
- Link Intune to Azure Active Directory and establish registration policies
- Identify supported platforms and formats (.apk, .ipa, .msi, .appx, .msix, etc.)
- Evaluate the type of devices to be managed: company-owned or personal (BYOD)
Additionally, you must decide whether you will manage devices directly (MDM) or just apps (MAM), which involves different levels of control and permissions.
How to add apps to Microsoft Intune
To upload or register applications to Intune, you can do this from the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center by following these steps:
- Access the panel Apps > All Apps
- Select Create and then the specific type of application
- Enter the necessary details: name, source file, platform, package identifier
- Assign user groups or devices to which it will be destined
Deployment from Microsoft Store for Business
It is possible to automatically link the Microsoft Store for Business with Intune to pull in apps purchased from this environment. This can be configured for both online and offline licenses, and the process is simple:
- Sign up for Microsoft Store for Business with the same Azure AD account
- Select the applications you wish to purchase and select the options. online/offline licenses
- Sync your store with Intune from the admin panel
Once synced, the apps will appear in Intune ready to be distributed to selected users or devices.
Line of business (LOB) applications
One of Intune's most powerful features is the ability to manage apps developed by the organization itself, which are typically not available in public stores. These apps can be .msi, .appx, .appxbundle, .msix, .ipa, or .apk files. The process is as follows:
- Package the application correctly
- Upload the file from the Intune dashboard by selecting “Line of Business App”
- Define versions and commands installation if necessary
This method ensures that Own applications maintain full control over their distribution, permissions and updates.
Setting up apps from Google Play and the App Store
For mobile apps, Intune allows you to link Google Play and Apple App Store:
- En Android, is managed through managed Google Play and Android Enterprise profiles
- On iOS/iPadOS, apps are linked through Apple Business Manager and require license tokens.
With this integration, official applications can be distributed directly to company-managed mobile devices without the need for manual user intervention.
Creating configuration and protection policies
Intune not only allows you to install applications, it also offers Advanced configuration options to customize according to the needs of each team or role. This includes:
- Assigning keys as ConnectionsJson to define routes and configurations
- Granular permissions: camera usage, storage, GPS, etc.
- Restrictions such as preventing copy/paste, screenshots, or external saving functions
Mass Distribution with Configuration Manager (SCCM)
Configuration Manager allows Integrate Microsoft Store for Business with SCCM to manage synchronization and automated application deployment. For more details, see Key differences between AI agents and AI assistants.
- Connect SCCM to Azure Active Directory
- Sync Microsoft Store for Business with SCCM
- Caching the content of downloaded apps
- Distribute apps to device groups or users like any other SCCM application
In addition, you can define default languages so that applications are deployed in the language of the user's operating system.
Deployment with Citrix XenMobile
XenMobile also allows Link with the Microsoft Store for Business to deploy apps on Windows 10 and 11. It is configured from the XenMobile console by following these steps:
- Sign in to Microsoft Store for Business
- Authorize XenMobile as a management tool
- Assign apps to Delivery Groups from XenMobile
- Revoke licenses if a user no longer needs the application
Apple Business Manager
For Apple devices, content is managed from Apple Business Manager And apps are purchased from the "Apps & Books" option. These apps can be assigned to users or devices, and are installed without an Apple ID if the device is supervised.
The distribution is done automatically during the initial device setup process, displaying the available apps upon completing the welcome wizard.
Automatic updates, reinstallations, and uninstallations
One of the key advantages of Intune is its ability to manage the complete lifecycle of applications:
- Necessary applications are re-evaluated every 24 hours, and are reinstalled if they have been removed.
- Updates are applied automatically when new versions are available.
- Administrators can revoke licenses or completely remove applications from devices.
License management and cloud storage
Intune also makes it easier to track licenses, especially with volume purchases (e.g., from the App Store or Apple VPP). You can:
- Import license tokens
- See how many licenses have been used
- Revoke or reassign licenses to other users
In terms of storage space, Intune offers up to 2 GB on trial plans, and has no practical limit on full subscriptions.
Managing applications in enterprises is no longer a complicated task. Microsoft Intune, in combination with Microsoft Store for Business, Apple Business Manager, or tools like SCCM and XenMobile, offers a comprehensive solution for deploying, updating, and protecting applications centrally on any device and operating system. The key is to understand all the available management mechanisms and adapt their use to the specific needs of each organization or team.
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