In today's fast-paced business world, time is of the essence. Deploying devices can be a tedious and time-consuming task, especially when it comes to setting up each device individually. However, with the advancement in technology, this process can now be streamlined through zero-touch deployment.

In this blog, we'll dive into what zero-touch deployment is and how it can benefit your business, specifically through Microsoft's Windows Autopilot feature. We'll also cover the prerequisites for using Autopilot and how Chess Device Solutions can help plan for and manage your deployment.

Office, Home, On The Go - Hybrid Working

​Hybrid working is a type of flexible working where employees split time between working in the office and remote working. Since the pandemic, this type of flexible working has skyrocketed. A survey by Statista showed that almost 75% of people now prefer working entirely remotely or working hybrid.​

Modern businesses are thriving with hybrid working and having the right technology available to facilitate a hybrid model is essential. Read more about hybrid working, the benefits and the technology solutions available to help facilitate this type of work in our Hybrid Working Hub.​

What is Zero Touch Deployment?

Zero Touch Device Deployment simply means that there is no need for the IT team to ever handle the physical device. You can order a device directly to a user, with everything ready to go. 

To understand the real benefit, it’s probably worth understanding the traditional painstaking task of setting up and updating devices, one at a time! 

Firstly, the newly purchased device would be shipped to the IT team. Once they receive it, the new starter or person receiving the new device will be invited into the office, where the IT team will load the operating system, user profile and any necessary applications onto the machine. This is a very time-consuming process for both IT and the user. 

However, Microsoft and Windows Autopilot resolves this issue by allowing a customised out-of-the-box-experience (OOBE) for the user, whereby the process is radically transformed, in that the device can be shipped directly to the user, at a location of their convenience. Once received, the user unboxes the device, connects it to the Wi-Fi and enters their credentials. Once their credentials are verified the device will automatically provide updates on the enrolment process and then, within minutes, the device is ready to use. 

Imagine what a difference this makes to the new starter! The onboarding process has effortlessly been enhanced and seamless.  

What other key benefits does Windows Autopilot bring? 

No need to re-image devices

Smart configuration is the amazing feature that helps with Re-imaging a device, which is normally a tedious process that most people would rather avoid. This also includes policy configuration, app, and driver installation, as well as infrastructure management. By using Windows Autopilot Reset, you can easily get a device back to a business-ready mode in preparation for a new user.  

Greater security and compliance 

Windows Autopilot gives an Enrolment Status Page (ESP) that provides information on a device's configuration process. This gives a quick view to verify that a device is fully configured, secured, and compliant before an employee can begin using it.

How does Windows Autopilot work?

Windows Autopilot is included in many Microsoft subscriptions, including Microsoft Enterprise E3 and E5 subscriptions. Best of all, Microsoft Autopilot is also included in a Microsoft 365 Business Premium subscription – putting this advanced technology in the hands of even the smallest business. 

Prerequisites for using Autopilot  

There are a few prerequisites for Windows Autopilot, we've outlined the most important ones:  

  • To use Microsoft Autopilot, the devices must also be running Windows 10 version 1703 or later and be an Azure AD tenant.  
  • All Devices that are to be enrolled in Microsoft Autopilot must have the necessary hardware components, such as a TPM (Trusted Platform Module) version 2.0 or later, and support for Secure Boot. ​ 
  • All devices must have an active internet connection to communicate with the Microsoft Autopilot service during the enrolment process.  
  • It’s also worth noting that although Autopilot enables simplified remote set-up of devices, to manage the entire lifecycle of that device, it will need to be paired with Microsoft Intune. 
Chess Device Solutions Portal 

Device Solutions is much more than just a portal to buy hardware. Our Online Device Solutions portal offers both Fair Market Value (FMV) Leasing and buy now purchase options, to suit your budget for today, tomorrow and beyond. 

Our portal enables easy quote creation and customisation, with the option to add accessories and services.  

Zero Touch deployment enables us to prepare every device in advance, delivered to end users ready to use. We can also handle everything from the removal of old devices to the installation of new ones, with next-day-delivery and deliver-to-desk options available.  

Chess holds five Microsoft Certified Solutions Designations with a number of specialisations that are specific to Azure, Security, and Intune. Chess can help plan for your deployment to ensure that all prerequisites are met before proceeding with the deployment.  

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