AA-in-CA
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Centralized management features: Office 365 vs Office 2019 perpetual
A number of our customers are interested in upgrading their copies of Office, but we're concerned about steering them towards Office 365 if it's missing IT-centric features where the desktop apps are concerned. In particular, we need to be able to control the desktop apps with Group Policy, perform mass deployments, and control the update 'cadence'.
1) Does Office 365 support the use of Group Policy for its desktop Office apps, and to the same degree that 2019 does? Do you have to subscribe to a particular O365 plan to get this, like ProPlus, or do all plans allow Group Policy control?
2) Can we use deployment tools other than SCCM to deploy O365, or does it have to be installed manually?
3) Can we control when O365 updates get installed, and how? Can it be managed with WSUS?
4) Are there any other drawbacks or shortcomings of the O365 desktop apps that we should be aware of, from an IT management and 'centralization' point of view?
Thanks for your help!
1) Does Office 365 support the use of Group Policy for its desktop Office apps, and to the same degree that 2019 does? Do you have to subscribe to a particular O365 plan to get this, like ProPlus, or do all plans allow Group Policy control?
2) Can we use deployment tools other than SCCM to deploy O365, or does it have to be installed manually?
3) Can we control when O365 updates get installed, and how? Can it be managed with WSUS?
4) Are there any other drawbacks or shortcomings of the O365 desktop apps that we should be aware of, from an IT management and 'centralization' point of view?
Thanks for your help!
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1) Yes, supports GPOs, no need for any special plans. It also supports newer methods, such as the "client policy service ": https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/deployoffice/overview-office-client-policy-service
2) Yes, such as the ODT, which is generally speaking very easy to use: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/deployoffice/overview-of-the-office-2016-deployment-tool
The XML format can be a drag, but there's the OCT portal: https://config.office.com/
3) Yes, via the XML upon install, via policy/reg keys post-install: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/deployoffice/configure-update-settings-for-office-365-proplus
4) It's the way forward really, Microsoft is not giving us much of a choice on the matter. Yes we do get the occasional "traditional" release, but there are tons of features nowadays only available as part of the Pro Plus version. It might take some getting used to, but overall the experience is a positive one. Definitely stay off the "monthly" channel though, have a few volunteers to test them for issues and see what's coming, but I'd recommend configuring the semi-annual for the bulk of your users.