From Hybrid SCCM to Full Intune Management: The Ultimate Guide to Seamless Transition

The landscape of IT management is changing rapidly, and organizations are increasingly turning to cloud-based solutions to streamline their operations, enhance security, and embrace the future of work. If you’re currently managing devices with System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM), you may be eyeing Microsoft Intune as the next step in your evolution. But transitioning from SCCM’s on-premises infrastructure to a cloud-first solution like Intune can seem like a daunting task.

Fear not. This article will walk you through a step-by-step strategy to implement a hybrid SCCM and Intune environment, with the goal of eventually making a seamless and efficient full Intune transition. Whether you're in the early stages of adoption or deep in the transition process, this guide will give you the insights you need to navigate this change with confidence and clarity.

Why Is Everyone Talking About Intune? The Future of Device Management is Here!

Before we dive into the strategy, let’s explore why Intune is rapidly becoming the go-to choice for modern endpoint management.

• Cloud-first, Always-on: Intune’s cloud-native approach means you can manage devices and apps from anywhere in the world, without the hassle of maintaining on-premises servers.
• Cross-Platform Excellence: Unlike SCCM, which is mostly focused on Windows devices, Intune offers robust support for a range of platforms—Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. This is a game-changer for modern, mobile-first organizations.
• Seamless Azure Integration: Built for Azure Active Directory (AAD), Intune lets you manage devices and users in a way that’s both flexible and secure, with features like conditional access that make securing devices and apps easier than ever.
• Scalability: Intune scales effortlessly. No more worrying about infrastructure capacity as your organization grows. Cloud-based means it grows with you—fast and easy.

So, why are you still using SCCM? If you’re not already considering a shift to Intune, now might be the right time to start. But let’s face it—many organizations have years of SCCM investment, and migrating to Intune can’t happen overnight. That’s where the hybrid SCCM and Intune strategy comes in.

The Hybrid Approach: The Key to a Smooth Transition

Making a full leap from SCCM to Intune might seem intimidating, especially for larger organizations with complex configurations and legacy systems. The solution? A hybrid strategy that combines the power of both tools. This allows you to leverage SCCM’s robust management capabilities while you transition workloads to Intune, and ultimately phase out SCCM over time.

1. The Blueprint for Change: Assessment and Planning

The foundation of a successful transition starts with a deep dive into your current IT landscape. This phase isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about gaining a clear understanding of where you are and where you want to go.

• Device Inventory: Take stock of the devices managed by SCCM. Are they all compatible with Intune? Which devices can be immediately transitioned, and which ones will need more time?
• SCCM Setup Review: Look at your existing SCCM configurations. How much customization has been done? Which features are crucial to your operations, and which ones can be easily migrated to Intune?
• Create a Transition Roadmap: This is where you build your plan. Identify which workloads will be migrated first (hint: start simple!) and outline clear milestones for each phase of the transition. Think of it as building a bridge to the cloud, step by step.

By properly assessing your environment upfront, you’ll be able to map out a clear, effective strategy for migration, ensuring that you’re not just moving workloads to Intune, but optimizing your entire management ecosystem.

2. Introducing Co-Management: The Bridge Between SCCM and Intune

Now comes the magic of co-management—the key to making your hybrid environment work. Co-management allows you to manage devices with both SCCM and Intune simultaneously. It’s like having the best of both worlds, easing the transition by letting you move workloads to the cloud gradually.

Here’s how to set it up:

• Azure AD and Hybrid Azure AD Join: First, ensure your organization is using Azure Active Directory (AAD). This is the bedrock upon which Intune thrives. Hybrid Azure AD Join ensures your devices are registered with both your on-prem Active Directory (for SCCM) and Azure AD (for Intune).
• Licensing Check: You’ll need the right Microsoft 365 or Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS) licensing that includes both SCCM and Intune. Licensing is key to unlocking co-management capabilities, so make sure you’ve got that covered.
• Enable Co-Management: In SCCM, navigate to Administration > Cloud Services > Co-management and configure your Intune subscription. Here, you’ll specify which workloads will be managed by SCCM and which will transition to Intune. Start with less complex workloads—app management, compliance policies, and security configurations are great starting points.

Why Co-Management Works

Co-management is like a safety net. It allows you to migrate without risk because SCCM and Intune share the load. It’s also a chance for IT teams to familiarize themselves with Intune without abandoning their tried-and-tested SCCM configurations. Think of it as learning to ride a bike with training wheels before going full speed on the open road.

3. A Smarter Approach: Transitioning Workloads Gradually

When it comes to hybrid management, the key is balance. Don’t rush the migration. Instead, start small and scale over time.

First, Shift Simple Workloads to Intune:

• Compliance Policies: Start by migrating compliance policies to Intune. These include things like device encryption, password requirements, and data protection rules. Intune is built for this, offering a seamless cloud experience.
• Application Management: Intune’s deep integration with Microsoft 365 apps like Office 365 makes app deployment easy. Transition apps that are cloud-based or easier to manage in a SaaS model first.
• Windows Update for Business: Move Windows update management to Intune. This ensures that your devices stay up-to-date without relying on the infrastructure-heavy patch management model of SCCM.

Leave the Complex Stuff in SCCM, for Now:

• OS Deployment: While Windows Autopilot in Intune is a great option for new devices, SCCM’s more complex OS deployment features might still be necessary for custom image scenarios.
• Software Distribution: If you have apps with intricate dependencies or complex installation requirements, keep managing them through SCCM as you prepare to move simpler apps to Intune.
• Patch Management: If your environment requires custom patching strategies, keep that workload in SCCM for the time being. Transitioning to Windows Update for Business will take time and should be approached with care.

By shifting workloads gradually, you’re minimizing disruptions and ensuring a smooth migration. And remember, each transition is an opportunity to fine-tune your approach.

4. Pilot, Test, and Perfect

You wouldn’t launch a new product without testing it, and you shouldn’t migrate to Intune without piloting first. Here’s how to get it right:

• Select a Pilot Group: Start with a small, controlled group of users or devices. This allows you to test co-management and the functionality of Intune without impacting your entire organization.
• Test Enrollment: Ensure devices are enrolling into Intune smoothly and that the right policies, apps, and configurations are being applied.
• Verify Compliance and Management: Check that both SCCM and Intune are handling the workloads as expected. Resolve any issues before scaling the deployment.

This step is crucial for identifying and addressing any issues before you scale to a full rollout.

5. Embrace the Future: Full Intune Transition

Once you’ve piloted successfully and tested the hybrid model, it’s time to go all-in with Intune. The key here is gradual migration—take your time, but make sure to:

• Migrate OS Deployment to Autopilot: Make the move to Windows Autopilot for OS deployment, reducing the need for traditional imaging and provisioning.
• App Deployment: Continue migrating your app distribution entirely to Intune, starting with simpler apps and moving toward more complex software as your confidence with Intune grows.
• Windows Update for Business: Fully transition patch management to Intune and Windows Update for Business.
• Retire SCCM: Once Intune is handling all workloads, it’s time to retire SCCM. Remove clients from devices and decommission your SCCM servers. This is the moment when you fully embrace the cloud.

6. Continuous Monitoring and Optimization

Even after you’ve transitioned to Intune, the journey doesn’t end. Monitor device compliance and software deployment through Intune’s robust reporting features. Adjust policies as necessary to meet the evolving needs of your organization and ensure that your security posture remains strong.

Conclusion: The Cloud-First Future Is Here

Transitioning from SCCM to Intune isn’t just a technical change—it’s an opportunity to rethink your endpoint management strategy, streamline operations, and embrace the flexibility of the cloud. With a solid hybrid strategy in place, you’ll be able to migrate smoothly, optimize workloads, and ultimately realize the full potential of Intune.

The path may seem challenging at first, but by taking a strategic, phased approach, you’ll be ready to fully unlock the power of cloud-based device management. The future of endpoint management is cloud-first—and with Intune, the future is already here.

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