Microsoft this morning is releasing the first details of an upcoming online service, targeted to medium-sized businesses, for managing Windows-based computers from a web browser. The service, dubbed Windows "Intune" is being made available to 1,000 of Microsoft's customers and information technology partners in North America as of today.

It will ultimately be made available as a subscription service, but the pricing hasn't yet been set, said Sandrine Skinner, a director for the Windows Client Commercial unit, in an interview. The idea is to make available to mid-sized companies the types of PC management tools that are commonly used by larger businesses -- including a web-based console for managing, updating, monitoring and tracking all the computers in a particular company.

"Mid-market organizations typically have the same IT needs and desktop infrastructure needs as enterprise customers, so they kind of aspire to have access to enterprise-class solutions, yet they do not have the budget or the means, the IT help, that enterprise customers have," Skinner said.

The service will work with Windows 7 Enterprise, Ultimate and Professional; Windows Vista Enterprise, Ultimate, and Business; Windows XP Professional Service Pack. More details here.