Today, about seven months after Windows Intune was initially made available, Microsoft is releasing Windows Intune 2.0. With the new version of Intune, IT admins can manage the deployment of Microsoft updates and service packs to all PCs, keep track of hardware and software inventory, fix PC issues remotely, manage protection from malware threats and set security policies. And Windows Intune can be accessed from wherever there's an Internet connection.

Windows Intune costs $11 per PC per month (Software Assurance customers will pay less than $11), and that price includes an integrated anti-malware product and Windows 7 Enterprise upgrade rights.

Microsoft says Windows Intune is particularly well suited for SMBs that manage around 500 Windows PCs.

Eric Main, Microsoft director of Windows Intune product management, says the company is also seeing more enterprise interest in Windows Intune as larger organizations try to manage "blind spots", that is, PCs that are not in the office but belong to road warriors and remote workers. On-premise PC management tools do not provide the convenience and flexibility that Windows Intune can provide for a mobile workforce, he says.

(Click below for an overview of new features in Windows Intune 2.0)