Why Businesses are Moving from SCCM to Intune

Strikeworks
May 14, 2025

Let’s be honest—System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) had a good run. It was the go-to for wrangling Windows devices when everything lived in the office and remote work meant checking your email from your phone (if you dared). But times have changed. Fast.

Now that hybrid work is expected and “cloud-first” isn’t just a buzzword slapped on a sales deck, managing devices the old-school way can feel like using a fax machine to send a text.

So, what’s actually going on?

More and more IT teams are trading SCCM for Microsoft Intune. Not because it’s trendy, but because it makes real, technical, day-to-day sense.

If you’re asking, “Should we be moving from SCCM to Intune?”, you’re not alone. And you’re asking the right question.

You don’t need a PhD in Microsoft acronyms to make smart decisions about device management solutions. You just need clarity, a good plan, and maybe a partner who’s done this more than a few times (spoiler: that’s us).

SCCM vs. Microsoft Intune: the TL;DR

Before we go deeper, let’s hit pause and look at the side-by-side. Because choosing between SCCM and Intune isn’t just about “old vs new”, it’s about which tool makes your job less of a slog.

Here’s how it shakes out:

Feature	SCCM (ConfigMgr)	Microsoft Intune
Deployment Model	On-prem, server-heavy	Cloud-native (or hybrid with co-management)
Supported Devices	Mostly Windows PCs	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Infrastructure Overhead	High—SQL servers, site servers, DP headaches	Low—no on-prem infrastructure required
Update Management	Powerful, but complex	Streamlined with Windows Update for Business
App Deployment	Deep MSI, EXE support	Works well with modern formats (MSIX, Win32, etc.)
Security Integration	AD + GPOs + on-prem firewalls	Conditional Access, Defender for Endpoint
Management Style	Granular, script-heavy	Policy-based, integrated with Microsoft 365
Remote Work Readiness	Not ideal without VPN	Built for “anywhere” environments

This isn’t about one being bad—SCCM still handles deep, legacy Windows management like a champ. But Intune? It’s built for the modern IT reality, not 2010’s.

And yes, we know—“unified endpoint management” sounds like something a vendor cooked up in a branding meeting. But in Intune’s case, it’s legit. One console to manage mobile and desktop devices, enforce compliance, roll out apps, and even wipe lost phones? That’s not just marketing fluff, it’s a time-saver.

Why Teams are Moving from SCCM to Intune

If you’re staring down a sea of Windows devices and wondering when the perfect time is to modernize, spoiler: it was probably last year. But no stress. Here’s why organizations are finally pulling the plug on their SCCM-only setups and embracing Microsoft Intune.

1. The Infrastructure Tax is Real

Running SCCM means:

Intune slashes all that. It’s a cloud-based solution, meaning you can finally stop nursing aging on-prem hardware just to deploy a printer driver.

2. Workforces Aren’t in the Office Anymore

With Intune, you can manage devices remotely, deploy software, enforce policies, and even wipe compromised phones, all from a browser tab. No split tunneling required.

3. Better Integration with Microsoft 365 and Security Tools

If you’re already using Microsoft 365, this one’s a no-brainer:

4. AutoPilot + Zero-Touch = Actual Magic

Device provisioning used to mean imaging machines, pushing Group Policies, and praying it all stuck. With Intune and Windows AutoPilot, a new laptop can ship straight to an end user, and:

No imaging. No shipping back and forth. Just fast, clean onboarding.

5. Your Security Team Will Thank You

Intune supports:

Add Microsoft Defender and compliance baselines, and you’ve got a full endpoint management solution that actually helps you sleep at night.

Intune vs. SCCM: Pros and Cons (the Good, the Bad, and the Overengineered)

Still stuck in the SCCM vs Intune debate? Let’s break down the pros and cons of each, minus the marketing jargon.

SCCM: Pros

Deep Windows control – SCCM gives you surgical precision with Windows configuration, patching, and app deployments.
Offline deployments – Great for air-gapped or locked-down environments.
Granular task sequencing – Custom scripts, reboots, driver injections—you name it, it’s possible.

SCCM: Cons

Heavy infrastructure – You’re managing servers, storage, bandwidth… and your sanity.
Limited cross-platform support – Don’t expect happy times managing iPhones or Androids.
Not built for remote work – VPN-dependency makes device management clunky.
Steep learning curve – And not the good kind—more like falling down a cliff of WMI queries.

Intune: Pros

Cloud-based solution – No on-prem server sprawl or patching nightmares.
Unified endpoint management – Manage Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS in one pane of glass.
Built-in conditional access – Tight integration with Azure AD and Microsoft 365 means you can lock down user devices based on real-time risk.
Easy device enrollment – Autopilot + Intune = zero-touch deployments that don’t require IT to unbox anything.
Remote management – Whether a device is in the office or on a beach Wi-Fi, you’re still in control.

Intune: Cons

Fewer legacy controls – Deep registry and task sequence tweaks? Not Intune’s forte.
Internet dependence – No connection = no policy sync (though caching helps).
Some migration pain – Moving from SCCM to Intune can take planning, especially if you’re using custom GPOs or app deployment scripts.

If you’re still comparing the SCCM vs. Intune pros and cons, the big takeaway is this: SCCM is powerful for on-prem complexity, but Intune is built for the modern workplace—hybrid, cloud-first, and mobile-friendly.

Moving from SCCM to Intune Without Breaking Everything

Switching endpoint management platforms isn’t exactly a Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V job. But it doesn’t have to be a migraine either, if you plan it right.

Here’s how to move from SCCM to Intune in a way that doesn’t make your helpdesk hate you.

Step 1: Change Your MDM Authority

Before anything, you’ll need to change MDM authority from SCCM to Intune, or set up co-management if you’re planning a phased move.

Co-management lets SCCM and Intune play nice—so you don’t have to do a forklift migration. It’s like teaching old tech new tricks, one feature at a time.

Use co-management to offload tasks like compliance policies, Windows updates, and endpoint security to Intune while SCCM still handles complex app deployments.

Step 2: Inventory Your Devices and Policies

No migration starts well with “I think we have about 400 devices… maybe.”

Get a clear view of:

Active user devices (laptops, desktops, mobile)
Device configuration baselines
App deployment types (Win32, MSI, Store apps)
Group Policies that could be replicated with Intune configuration profiles

Pro tip: Watch out for legacy GPOs. If it was created in 2006 and no one knows what it does, maybe don’t migrate it.

Step 3: Pilot with Real Users (Not Just the Intern)

Pick a mix of users:

Field employees
Remote workers
Finance (because they’re picky—and that’s good)

Deploy using Windows Autopilot, and manage them exclusively in Intune. Test conditional access, device enrollment, app deployment, and mobile application management (MAM) if they use phones for work.

Step 4: Monitor and Fine-Tune

Use Endpoint Analytics in Intune to track:

Device compliance
App deployment success
User experience scores (boot time, app reliability, etc.)

Yes, user experience is now a metric you can measure; finally, a way to win arguments with “it’s slow” users.

Step 5: Phase Out SCCM

Once critical workloads are managed in Intune and the team is confident:

Turn off SCCM workloads gradually
Remove any remaining SCCM agents
Reclaim those server resources and say goodbye to your patching window stress

Time to Break Up with SCCM?

Look, SCCM isn’t going anywhere tomorrow—but it’s no longer the only player in town. For businesses juggling remote teams, tighter security requirements, and a sprawling mix of devices, Microsoft Intune just makes sense. It’s faster to deploy, easier to scale, and plays better with the cloud-centric world we’re all living in.

That doesn’t mean switching is plug-and-play. Every environment is different. Maybe you’ve got legacy apps that love SCCM a little too much. Or maybe your team just hasn’t had the time (or the stomach) to plan a transition.

But here’s the good news: you don’t have to go it alone, and you don’t have to flip the switch overnight.

Whether you’re testing the waters or knee-deep in co-management chaos, we help business owners figure out what’s actually right for their environment: no sales scripts, just straight answers.

Let’s talk about what a smart move from SCCM to Intune looks like for you. Grab a consult, ask your questions, and walk away with a plan—no pressure, no jargon, just real help.