Windows 7: Microsoft launches beta of cloud-based Windows.........

Microsoft launches beta of cloud-based Windows management service.

Microsoft is pulling back the covers today on another offering in its Microsoft-hosted cloud-computing family: Windows Intune.

Windows Intune has been years in the making. Last spring, Microsoft officials announced with much fanfare Redmond’s plans to deliver systems management in the cloud, via a service known as System Center Online Desktop Manager (SCODM). SCODM, codenamed “Jupiter,” went to a set of select testers, but then seemingly disappeared.

On April 19, Microsoft is relaunching SCODM — to which the company has added some new licensing and Windows deliverables — as Windows Intune. It will be available to the first 1,000 customers and partners in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico who sign up for it between now and May 16.

Based on SCODM tester feedback, Microsoft repositioned and rejiggered the Windows Intune service to appeal primarily to mid-size customers (those with between 25 and 500 PCs) who don’t want to sign up for the company’s Software Assurance annuity-licensing plan, said Sandrine Skinner, a Director in the Windows Commercial Product Management unit.