An employee needs an application. IT assigns it, but the device hasn't picked up the change yet. Meanwhile, the business may be paying for support or security tools that now overlap with what's already included in its Microsoft 365 subscription. Two recent Microsoft changes address both problems: a broader on-demand Intune sync and expanded endpoint-management features in Microsoft 365 E3 and E5. Together, they're an opportunity to reduce deployment delays and get more value from the licenses you already pay for.
One Sync Can Move More Work Forward
In its July 2026 Intune release, Microsoft improved on-demand sync for Windows devices. Instead of a narrow policy refresh, a single Sync action now triggers configuration policy processing, app detection and deployment-state updates, and script and remediation processing, and the Device sync status view lets IT follow that progress. For a business, the result is less waiting during a support call. After fixing an app assignment or adjusting a configuration, a technician can request a full refresh and see exactly what the device is processing.
A single sync doesn't mean instant completion, though. The device still needs connectivity, applications may need time to download, install, or meet their requirements, and sync won't override deployment rules or fix a broken installer. We recommend building sync into the support process: confirm the assignment, request the refresh, and verify the policy or app status before closing the ticket.
Check What Your E3 or E5 Subscription Now Includes
Beginning July 1, 2026, Microsoft expanded the advanced Intune capabilities included in Microsoft 365 E3 and E5, which makes it worth reviewing your existing tools before buying more add-ons. Both E3 and E5 now include Remote Help for resolving employee device issues remotely, Advanced Analytics for investigating device performance and user experience, and Intune Plan 2 for secure mobile app access and supported specialty device and firmware management.
E5 goes further with Endpoint Privilege Management, which approves specific elevated tasks without giving users standing local administrator rights; Enterprise Application Management, which deploys supported apps from a Microsoft-hosted catalog; and Microsoft Cloud PKI for managing the device certificates used for Wi-Fi and VPN access.
In practice, E3 customers can evaluate Remote Help against their current support tools, and E5 customers can assess whether privilege management or catalog-based app deployment fills an existing gap. Included licensing is a starting point, and each feature still needs to fit your environment and be configured properly.
Keep the AI Entitlement Separate
Eligible Microsoft 365 E5 customers also receive Security Copilot through Microsoft's inclusion program, with a defined monthly capacity tied to paid license count rather than unlimited usage. That entitlement doesn't extend to E3, and it doesn't mean every Copilot product is included. Organizations should confirm tenant access and configure only the agents and permissions they actually intend to use.
Start With a Focused Review
Before adding another tool, look at what you already have. Confirm your exact Microsoft subscription and what's available in your tenant, compare the included capabilities against tools you're already paying for, then pick one improvement to pilot and measure the result, whether that's faster support resolution, more reliable app deployment, or a simpler management process.
At Cloud Five Consulting, we help organizations connect Microsoft licensing to practical configuration and support decisions. If you're looking to get more out of Intune and Microsoft 365, we can review your environment and identify the capabilities your business can actually put to use.