Introduction

In October 2024, Hitachi Energy successfully completed a massive Windows 11 migration, upgrading over 40,000 devices across 12 countries. This strategic and automated upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 represents not only a technological shift but also a carefully coordinated digital transformation initiative aimed at enhancing cybersecurity, operational efficiency, and global device management.

Background and Context

As Microsoft sets October 2025 as the end of mainstream support for Windows 10, enterprises worldwide face the daunting task of migrating millions of devices to Windows 11 to maintain security compliance and benefit from the latest platform innovations. Hitachi Energy, a global leader in sustainable energy solutions operating in over 90 countries, viewed this deadline as a critical juncture for IT modernization.

Unlike typical OS migrations that are complex, resource-intensive, and prone to operational risks, Hitachi Energy leveraged advanced automation and strategic planning to execute an efficient, low-impact deployment. The migration was driven by ManagementStudio—an enterprise transformation platform—integrated with Microsoft Intune, Active Directory, Flexera Service, and ServiceNow, enabling a seamless rollout while minimizing manual intervention.

Migration Strategy and Technical Details

Pilot and "By Exception" Model

Hitachi Energy began with a 500-device pilot in November 2023. This phased, data-driven approach allowed the team to test real-world application compatibility and user experience without the need for exhaustive testing of every application individually. If pilot users experienced no issues, their entire application portfolios were approved for wider deployment.

This "by exception" methodology contrasts sharply with traditional exhaustive validation and significantly reduces project timelines and manual workload.

Comprehensive Application and Device Readiness Evaluation

  • Over 45,000 desktops were assessed for Windows 11 readiness.
  • A total of 3,034 unique applications were inventoried, with 2,330 confirmed as natively compatible.
  • The platform identified devices eligible for upgrade and flagged exceptions transparently.

Automation and Integration

ManagementStudio automated the upgrade workflows, device compliance checks, and exception handling. This integration extended to operational platforms like ServiceNow, ensuring that any issues generated actionable tasks rather than being lost in reports.

Furthermore, PowerBI dashboards provided real-time visibility into migration velocity, geographic device distribution, and exception rates, empowering executives and stakeholders with transparent, data-driven oversight.

Scalability and Execution

The migration achieved a peak throughput of nearly 10,000 device upgrades in a single month—a notable engineering and logistical achievement for a global corporation with diverse operational environments.

Risk Mitigation

The approach balanced automation efficiency with safeguards:

  • Continuous monitoring enabled rapid rollback and remediation if necessary.
  • Exception cases were triaged through detailed reporting and workflows.
  • Strategic pilot sampling minimized the risk of operational disruption.

Implications and Impact

Beyond Operating System Upgrade

Hitachi Energy’s migration set the stage for fully leveraging Windows 11’s enhanced security features, tighter cloud integration, and support for digital workplace initiatives critical for the company’s broader sustainable energy mission.

A Model for Enterprise IT Transformation

The success story delivers essential lessons for IT leaders planning large-scale OS upgrades:

  • Automation combined with refined process management accelerates delivery and reduces costs.
  • Strategic pilot programs validate compatibility while preserving agility.
  • Real-time analytics and integrated platforms turn migration from a "black box" to a transparent, manageable process.
  • Continuous compliance management is a post-migration imperative.

Human and Organizational Factors

The project emphasized the importance of communication, training, and change management, turning technology pilots into evangelists across geographies.

Conclusion

Hitachi Energy’s Windows 11 migration exemplifies modern enterprise IT modernization where technology, strategy, and human factors converge. Its automation-centric, exception-driven upgrade approach can serve as a blueprint for other global organizations navigating the complexities of digital transformation amidst evolving security and compliance landscapes.