Thijs Groen, Microsoft Solution Consultant Workspace at Bechtle:
“Each organisation is unique, And each one requires its own migration plan.”
Thijs Groen is a Microsoft Solution Consultant Workspace at Bechtle. His day is spent urging those businesses, which have not yet begun migrating Windows 10 to 11, to get started. “An average company with 300 IT seats needs about 430 days to migrate. It takes time to devise a strategy and accurately plan in order to leverage today’s deployment, management, and security capabilities, carry out tests and demonstrate to people how they can work more effectively.”
Greater security with Windows 11.
Thijs: “It simply isn’t safe to keep using outdated systems. If you aren’t receiving updates, how can you be sure that your business is compliant with legislation such as GDPR? Windows 11 is secure by default which means that the operating system is built from the ground up to be secure and does not require the administrator or user to take any additional steps. Integrated security includes strong encryption and malware protection while the new OS protects corporate and user data.”
Integrated management and automation tools
For IT departments, the way Windows 11 integrates management and automation tools is very interesting. Thijs: “We are used to having to use differing management platforms and tools, but by integrating them into Windows 11, Microsoft has make management easier and more secure. Many businesses are seizing the opportunity to leverage the migration to do more with Intune. For example, it’s possible to provide remote support on Windows 11 systems from within Intune without the need to pay for third-party tools. There are so many possibilities!”
New ways to work and collaborate
The migration to Windows 11 also provides businesses the opportunity to examine the way they work. Thijs: “The upgrade gives you a window to put the workplace itself under the microscope. Windows 11 will give you a whole range of features to help your teams work and collaborate more effectively including simple things such as wireless screen sharing, document search and automatic window layout. As windows 11 is so easy to use, you’ll be able to do more in less time even after only a very brief period of training. You’ll instantly notice how much better system performance is—tasks start faster, waking up from sleep mode takes less time, and switching between apps is a breeze. In a nutshell, Windows 11 provides a much better user experience.”
New devices running Windows 10 are becoming rare
Businesses that believe sticking with Windows 10 will be cheaper need to think again. Research carried out by Forrester shows that ROI is around 250% when you look at the total economic impact*. On average, companies will recoup this investment within 6 months of roll out.
Thijs: “I meet customers who bought a device running Windows 11 because it was cheaper to buy and they want to know if they can install Windows 10 on it. As downgrade rights are often no longer included, an additional separate and costly, Windows 11 licence is then required. Once that’s been bought, precious resources are used up to reinstall everything and then you end up with a new device with a modern chipset that probably wasn’t even tested with Windows 10. It will soon no longer be possible to purchase new devices running Windows 10, so you need to make sure you make the switch in good time.”
Tracing hardware and software
Migration to Windows 11 requires a company's hardware and software to first be tracked and documented. Thijs: “Once you know what you have, you can check compatibility with Windows 11. Bechtle Inventory Services provides a holistic overview of your organisation's IT infrastructure. We’ll show you what’s on your network, the chipsets, OS and firmware you have, what’s compatible with Windows 11, and what needs to be replaced.”
Planning a new environment
The next step in the migration process is to plan the new environment. Is it better for your IT managers to set Windows Autopilot to zero-touch or pre-provisioning? Are you going to optimise endpoint security using multi-factor authentication (MFA) and Conditional Access, or are you already using them and need them integrated into the new tool? Will you apply AI insights to your hardware and apps. Would you like to discuss these questions with an expert? Bechtle is one of Microsoft’s top ten global service providers and our experts are modernising the deployment, management and security of your IT with Intune.
Managing role-based devices
In the past, everyone had the same laptop, but those days are long behind us. Depending on the job you do, you have different tasks and therefore different requirements when it comes to your IT. Even colleagues working with the same hardware need different apps and settings. With Intune profiles, we can tailor the automatic configuration of a device’s apps, settings, rights and policies to an employee’s specific tasks. That means your staff get a device that best suits their jobs and you keep a firm grip on management.
Well-founded hardware advice
Bechtle leverages user surveys and workshops to advise on how best to tailor Intune profiles to the roles within your organisation. When it comes to hardware, we don't only think about the budget, but also consider the economic impact and features of a selection of devices. We explain the differences to help you make an informed choice and also provide demo models, so you and your employees can make sure their needs are met before you buy.
Windows 11 auto-deployment
Modern management and deployment tools make Windows 11 easy to provision, even when working with many different devices. Windows Autopilot plays a key role in this as it means devices can be set up with pre-defined configurations. All employees have to do is turn on the device and it is automatically provisioned with the tools needed to do their jobs.
“It will soon no longer be possible to purchase new devices running Windows 10, so you need to make sure you make the switch in good time.”
Saving time through testing
Thijs: “To ensure the roll out goes as smoothly as possible, thorough testing needs to be carried out in advance so that any tweaks can be made before they land on employees’ desks. If you don’t, you’ll spend a lot of time helping resolve their problems During the planning phase, additional time is set aside for testing to ensure that the new environment will help boost productivity from the get-go.”
An experienced IT partner is essential
When migrating to Windows 11, you need an experienced IT partner by your side. Thijs: “Every business has an IT infrastructure that is unique to it and each one requires its own migration plan. Microsoft has a broad range of useful tools which are being added to constantly. Our experienced consultants know which tool is best for which task, regularly attend training courses to keep right up-to-date, know migration best practices, and can provide tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your IT.”
Working together to ensure smooth migration
Migrating to Windows 11 is a complex but necessary process. With security built in from the ground up, you can be sure that your business is protected. Not only that, but new features help you optimise your work processes so you can do more in less time. But the clock is ticking! October 2025 isn’t that far away so it’s time to get the ball rolling. With the right partner by your side, you can be sure migration will be child’s play.
*The Total Economic Impact™ Of Windows 11 Pro Devices (2022)
