Microsoft is enhancing its Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP) to make hybrid work and collaboration more seamless.
The MDEP 2025.1 update, announced as part of Microsoft’s Enterprise Connect news releases in Orlando, Florida, is the solution’s first major update of the year. It will introduce over 20 key enhancements, including native support for devices functioning as touch consoles in meeting rooms and the ability to dynamically scale the DPI of connected displays based on their native resolution.
Yoav Barzilay, Senior Product Manager at Microsoft, wrote in an announcement blog:
Today, we’re excited to announce MDEP 2025.1, our first release of the year, packed with 20+ enhancements in device connectivity, pairing, hardware configurability, accessibility, and more —all driven by partner feedback.”
Additionally, Microsoft outlines how it has expanded its network of ODM and development partners by onboarding CVTE, Thundercomm, AmTRAN, IAdea, and Capgemini. Barzilay also says it is working closely with Qualcomm, MediaTek, Rockchip, and NXP to extend MDEP to a broader range of devices and categories.
Barzilay also outlines what MDEP customers and vendors can expect in the future, including a tantalising promise that Microsoft is “committed to bringing the best of Microsoft’s AI solutions and best practices into our MDEP AI Framework”.
Microsoft will also soon expand enterprise capabilities with Zero-Touch Enrollment (ZTE), delivering a Windows Autopilot-like experience for fast and seamless device enrollment and provisioning. This enhancement is designed to streamline setup and deployment for select Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android devices.
MDEP’s New Capabilities In More Detail
The latest MDEP update brings several key enhancements, including native support for devices that can function as either a touch console inside meeting rooms or a scheduling panel outside them. MDEP will also dynamically scale the DPI of connected displays based on their native resolution.
Security and connectivity improvements include full support for Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) over LAN and an enhanced secure pairing service, ensuring compatibility across different MDEP versions and stricter enterprise environments.
Additionally, MDEP now features screen magnification for improved accessibility and expands frictionless certificate provisioning to MediaTek SoCs, including the MT8370.
MDEP’s Story So Far
MDEP was first introduced at last year’s Enterprise Connect. It is built on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) and is pitched as an open platform designed for device manufacturers and software developers to create innovative, user-centric solutions. Microsoft adds it offers exclusive features specifically designed for MDEP-based devices.
Since its launch last year, Microsoft has updated the platform with a wave of new features and grown its community with more device manufacturers and software developers. For example, at last year’s Microsoft Ignite in November, leading vendors Lenovo, MAXHUB, Shure, and AudioCodes joined Barco, Yealink, and Jabra as MDEP partners.
They aren’t alone. MAXHUB and Owl Labs are also signed up, while at this year’s ISE, Crestron joined the MDEP programme.
“The success of MDEP is built on a thriving community of innovative OEMs and ODMs who are shaping the future of connected devices,” said Barzilay. “Through deep collaboration, cutting-edge engineering, and a shared commitment to excellence, our partners are bringing powerful, secure, and intelligent solutions to market.
