When managing the growing volume of devices required for standard operations, businesses must address two issues: ensuring the hybrid workplace remains agile and equipping teams with AI solutions. In both instances, security is a focal point. Tool sprawl contributes to an already complex situation as IT teams use a variety of tools to manage systems. Additionally, they need to integrate AI into a variety of workloads.
Businesses’ IT landscapes must overcome these challenges. 85% of businesses reported in the 2024 Cisco Cybersecurity Readiness Index that team members log in to company systems from unmanaged devices, creating greater security vulnerabilities and operational weaknesses. Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) offers IT department less complexity, greater visibility, and improved security through a cloud-based system. UEM provides IT professionals with increased network visibility, enabling all connected business devices to be managed from a unified dashboard.
However, complex environments, including those with legacy elements, require a customized migration blueprint. Read on to learn four strategies your business can apply when transitioning to cloud-enabled Unified Endpoint Management.
When Intune is integrated with other Microsoft solutions, the overall performance is enhanced with benefits including:
UEM merges the management of all enterprise devices, their applications, and identities into a single monitoring platform. UEM consolidates what was previously managed on-premises across a dozen tools, shifting to cloud-native control, security, and monitoring. Microsoft Intune, an enterprise UEM platform, enables organizations to monitor interactions among identities, devices, and applications within their digital environment. By deploying cutting-edge technology, Intune ensures the security, compliance, and management of devices and data.
Microsoft Intune’s centralized dashboard can be accessed from any device connected to the Internet to streamline management of applications, identities, and security across endpoints.
The main advantages include:
Read more: Microsoft Intune: Holistic, unified endpoint management to tackle modern business challenges
These are three notable approaches for migrating to a cloud-based Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) system:
The fastest way to reduce complexity and drive cost efficiency is to shift workforce management from legacy systems to cloud-based solutions, such as Intune. The process moves existing functionality, such as app deployment and patches, into the cloud, adding new cloud-based features, such as analytics and automation through Intune. Moving all workloads to the cloud as quickly as possible is optimal, but doing so in stages will strengthen alignment with business objectives.
Begin by migrating new cloud workloads to Intune. These workloads will have the least amount of resistance because they are already cloud-based. The next step is to focus on security and compliance, followed by policy update, and ultimately, application. For workloads that cannot be migrated instantly, concentrate on managing the others in the Cloud and take an ad hoc approach as a provisional measure.
Register configuration manager devices with Microsoft Entra ID, the identity access (IAM) manager for Microsoft’s cloud. This intermediate step lets you leverage cloud workloads and shift away from managing multiple systems. Microsoft Entra hybrid join is intended for use with existing Azure Active Directory devices, offering cloud benefits without disrupting workflows. The third approach can be implemented once the device reaches the end of its natural life and is replaced, or through typical maintenance and repair cycles. This is when new devices can be registered directly with Intune.
During the process of integrating new devices into your systems or updating operating systems on existing devices, devices can also be migrated to Intune and cloud-enabled management. Windows 11 provides the opportunity to change perspectives on Windows management and mitigate the risk of repeating obsolete practices. Devices should be replaced or updated during their two- to three-year lifecycle and simultaneously, migrated to cloud management.
Read: Unified endpoint management with Microsoft Intune managed by OnX.
Another approach is working with a managed services provider such as OnX to assist with migration or to completely manage the organization’s technology environments. A managed services provider unburdens in-house IT teams of the migration process and daily oversight of applications, identities, and devices, so they can focus on innovating systems.
OnX can work with your team on any of these approaches and implement them to suit your business needs and goals.
OnX provides complete Intune support, from evaluations and remediation to deployments and policy developments. OnX professionals work with your IT team to support auto-enrollment policies, security, compliance, application management, and configuration. Additionally, OnX offers comprehensive environment reviews, troubleshooting, and IT administrative support.
OnX begins by evaluating Unified Endpoint Management readiness and guiding clients through benchmarking practices for application and endpoint management policies.
Because OnX is a Microsoft Solution Partner, we leverage solutions such as Azure Cloud certifications, Data and AI, and Microsoft Modern Workplace to facilitate organizational change at scale.
Schedule a free consultation with an OnX professional today.