Intune: Deploy Apps from CSV Fast

Key insights

• Radar from CSV: Robopack feature that matches an uploaded app list (Name, Publisher) against a 41,000+ app library so you can plan migrations without scanning devices.
  Upload a CSV to find matches quickly for pre-Intune migrations, greenfield tenants, or RMM exports.
• CSV format: Two columns only — Name (fuzzy-matched) and Publisher (must be exact).
  Accurate publisher names are essential for reliable matching.
• Ready for patching vs Unmatched: The scan tags apps as “Ready for patching” when matched and lists unmatched entries for cleanup.
  This gives an immediate inventory of apps you can deploy or need to fix.
• Patch Group: Bulk-add matched apps to a Patch Group to deploy at scale through Robopack or Intune.
  Bulk actions speed up migration and reduce manual work.
• Fixing Unmatched entries: Clean up publisher names and re-upload to improve match rates; check fuzzy Name matches manually when needed.
  If an app isn’t in the library, submit it or plan a manual deployment path.
• Intune migration fit: Use CSV scans to pre-validate app inventories before moving to Intune to cut risk and save time.
  This pairs well with PowerShell and Microsoft Graph automation for tenant-to-tenant or large-scale migrations.

Overview

In a clear, concise YouTube demonstration, Dean Ellerby [MVP] walks viewers through Radar from CSV, a feature in Robopack that speeds up application migrations by matching a simple list of apps to a large library. The video frames the tool as a practical solution for pre-Intune migrations, greenfield tenants, and situations where admins only have an export from another RMM. Consequently, teams can assess application coverage without running device scans, which reduces time and complexity in early discovery stages. Overall, the presentation emphasizes immediate matching results and simple next steps for deployment.

How Radar from CSV Works

The core idea is straightforward: upload a CSV with two columns—Name and Publisher—and let the system compare entries against a library of more than 41,000 applications. Importantly, the Publisher field must match exactly, while the Name value is fuzzy-matched to tolerate common naming differences. After upload, items either show as Ready for patching when matched, or as Unmatched when the system needs help resolving ambiguities. This design lets administrators get a fast inventory snapshot without touching managed devices.

When entries are matched, the video demonstrates how to bulk-add them to a Patch Group for rapid deployment, which helps prepare large sets of applications for roll-out. If entries are unmatched, Dean shows how small fixes—often cleaning or correcting the publisher string—can resolve many mismatches. Furthermore, he explains steps for handling apps that simply aren’t in the library, including how to request additions or use alternative deployment paths. Thus, the tool balances automation with simple manual cleanup options where needed.

Step-by-Step Demonstration

Dean begins by showing where to find Radar from CSV in the Robopack interface and then explains the exact format required for the CSV upload. He highlights a key rule early: the publisher must be accurate, because mismatches there are the primary source of unmatched results. Next, he uploads a sample file and walks viewers through the instant matching feedback, emphasizing how quickly the tool classifies entries as matched or unmatched. This real-time validation helps teams decide which items need manual attention before migration.

The video follows with short demonstrations of related controls, such as toggling existing-apps visibility when counts differ and using the bulk-add action to place matched applications into a Patch Group. Dean also shows how to tidy publisher fields directly in the interface to improve match rates and reduce the number of unmatched rows. Later, he covers what administrators should do when an application is not present in the library, suggesting practical next steps rather than leaving the item unresolved. He closes with tips and teases potential future features that will smooth migrations even further.

Tradeoffs and Practical Challenges

The approach offers clear speed and scalability benefits, yet it also introduces tradeoffs that teams must manage. For example, insisting on exact publisher names reduces false positives but raises the burden of data hygiene; inaccurate exports from other RMMs often need clean-up before upload. Moreover, fuzzy name matching helps catch variants, but it can create false matches in edge cases and therefore requires verification before deployment. These realities mean that while the process is faster, it is not entirely hands-off.

In addition, organizations may encounter gaps in the application library, which forces a choice between requesting new entries, using alternative deployment methods, or creating custom packages. Each option carries costs: requesting library additions can take time, alternative methods may increase complexity, and custom packaging demands resources. Consequently, migration teams should plan for a balance of automated discovery and targeted manual work to achieve accuracy and reduce post-deployment issues.

Recommendations and Implications for Intune Migrations

For teams preparing to migrate to Intune, Dean’s walkthrough suggests a pragmatic workflow: start with a tidy CSV, focus on accurate publisher data, and validate matched items in small batches. Testing a subset first helps confirm that fuzzy matches and publisher corrections behave as expected before bulk deployment. In addition, using the bulk-add to a Patch Group lets administrators stage deployments in a controlled manner, reducing the risk of widespread issues in production.

Finally, while Robopack’s CSV scanning reduces the need for device scans during early planning, teams should still allocate time for verification after deploying to managed devices. Therefore, combine this fast discovery step with follow-up checks in Intune to ensure policies and app installations work correctly. Overall, Dean Ellerby’s video offers a clear, practical toolset for accelerating migrations, provided teams accept modest manual cleanup and validation as part of a reliable migration process.

Keywords

Intune CSV migration, deploy apps to Intune, bulk app deployment Intune, automated Intune migrations, CSV app import Intune, Microsoft Intune migration tool, Intune application deployment guide, migrate apps to Intune