Introduction:
In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, organizations are continually seeking efficient and flexible solutions to manage their growing fleet of devices. Microsoft Configuration Manager (aka SCCM) has long been the go-to tool for device management, but the rise of cloud-based solutions and the increasing popularity of mobile devices have prompted the need for a more modern and agile approach. This has led many organizations to consider transitioning from Configuration Manager co-management to Intune-only management. In this blog, we will explore the benefits and considerations of making this transition and the steps involved in the process.
Understanding Configuration Manager Co-Management:
Configuration Manager co-management was introduced by Microsoft to provide a bridge between traditional on-premises device management (Configuration Manager) and modern cloud-based management (Intune). Co-management allows organizations to leverage the strengths of both solutions by sharing management responsibilities between Configuration Manager and Intune. This hybrid approach enables organizations to manage a diverse range of devices, including Windows 10 PCs, Macs, and mobile devices.
Organizations should not feel that they are required to go this route of completely transitioning to Intune only management instead of staying on Co-management if Co-management is what they need to meet their requirements.
Benefits of Transitioning to Intune-Only Management:
- Simplified Management: Moving to Intune-only management eliminates the complexities associated with maintaining both Configuration Manager and Intune environments. With Intune, all device management tasks are handled in the cloud, enabling centralized management and streamlined administration.
- Cloud-Based Approach: Intune offers a cloud-based management infrastructure that allows for greater scalability, improved security, and enhanced flexibility. It leverages the power of the Microsoft Azure cloud platform, ensuring organizations have access to the latest features and updates without the need for on-premises infrastructure.
- Mobile Device Management: With the proliferation of mobile devices in the workplace, Intune provides robust mobile device management (MDM) capabilities, allowing organizations to effectively manage and secure iOS, Android, and Windows devices. Intune’s MDM capabilities enable features such as device enrollment, app management, policy enforcement, and remote wipe.
- Modern Management Features: Intune delivers a range of modern management features, including zero-touch provisioning, conditional access policies, automated software deployment, and compliance reporting. These features enable organizations to enforce security policies, maintain compliance, and streamline software deployments across their device fleet.
Considerations for Transitioning:
While transitioning from Configuration Manager co-management to Intune-only management offers numerous benefits, there are several key considerations to keep in mind:
- Device Compatibility: Ensure that all devices in your environment are compatible with Intune’s management capabilities. While Intune supports a wide range of platforms, there may be certain legacy devices or specialized systems that require additional planning or alternative solutions.
- Application Packaging: Evaluate the applications deployed through Configuration Manager and determine how they will be managed in the Intune-only environment. Some applications may need to be repackaged or reconfigured for Intune deployment, especially if they rely on Configuration Manager -specific features.
- Infrastructure Readiness: Verify that your organization’s network infrastructure and internet connectivity can support the transition to cloud-based management. Assess bandwidth requirements, network security measures, and any potential impacts on end-user experience during the migration process.
Steps to Transition to Intune-Only Management:
- Ensure all Configuration Manager client deployments are removed from the devices that you are transitioning, whether it is a GPO or the automatic site-wide client push installation.
This will ensure that the client is not re-installed and transitioning the devices back to a co-management state. - Uninstall the Configuration Manager client.
This can be achieved my manually doing the uninstallation on each device by using the ccmsetup.exe /uninstall command or you can use a PowerShell script and deploy the script via Intune.
When you uninstall the client, the device will switch to Intune only management, whether you had some/all/none of the workloads move as part of your co-management configuration.
Before client un-installation you can see that the two devices are co-managed by Configuration Manager. 
After the client un-installation, Intune will take over management and will be visible in the console.
Conclusion:
Transitioning from Configuration Manager co-management to Intune-only management represents a progressive step forward in device management. By embracing Intune-only management, organizations can position themselves at the forefront of device management technology and adapt to the evolving needs of the digital landscape.
This transition might not fit the needs of all organizations and if co-management meets your organizational needs there is no reason why you cannot stay in a hybrid state.