Hitachi Energy's Strategic Windows 11 Migration: A Blueprint for Global Digital Transformation

Introduction

In an era where digital transformation dictates the pace of business evolution, Hitachi Energy's recent migration to Windows 11 stands as a testament to strategic planning and technological agility. Successfully upgrading over 40,000 devices across 12 countries, the company not only embraced a new operating system but also set a benchmark for large-scale IT migrations.

Background

Hitachi Energy, a global leader in energy solutions, operates in over 90 countries, delivering innovative technologies to advance a sustainable energy future. With a workforce of approximately 45,000 employees, the company's IT infrastructure is both vast and complex.

With Microsoft's announcement that mainstream support for Windows 10 would conclude on October 14, 2025, organizations worldwide faced the imperative to transition to Windows 11. For Hitachi Energy, this migration was not merely about staying current; it was a strategic move to enhance security, improve performance, and streamline operations.

The Migration Journey

The migration commenced with a 500-device pilot in November 2023. This initial phase was crucial for:

• Assessing Compatibility: Ensuring hardware and applications were compatible with Windows 11.
• Identifying Potential Issues: Addressing challenges before a full-scale rollout.
• Building Organizational Confidence: Demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of the upgrade.

Following the successful pilot, the main migration began in March 2024 and concluded in October 2024. Key milestones included:

• Device Assessment: Out of 45,335 devices evaluated, 43,568 were deemed ready for upgrade.
• Application Compatibility: Of 3,034 applications, 2,330 were confirmed compatible with Windows 11.
• Migration Volume: At its peak, nearly 10,000 devices were upgraded in May 2024 alone.

Strategic Implementation

Central to the migration's success was the utilization of ManagementStudio's platform, which integrated seamlessly with existing systems such as:

• Microsoft Intune: Facilitated remote device management.
• Active Directory: Maintained user credentials and access rights.
• Flexera Service and ServiceNow: Provided oversight for inventory management and IT service processes.
• PowerBI: Offered real-time analytics and enhanced data mining capabilities.

This integration minimized manual intervention, reduced human error, and accelerated deployment.

Hitachi Energy adopted a 'by exception' methodology, wherein pilot users from various business areas tested the new OS. If no issues arose, the associated application portfolio was deemed compatible, streamlining the broader rollout.

Overcoming Challenges

For the 704 applications initially marked as non-compatible:

• Software Updates: Applications were updated to ensure compatibility.
• Risk-Based Testing: Deployments were tested on subsets of devices; if no issues emerged, upgrades proceeded.

This pragmatic approach ensured continuity without compromising user experience.

Prior to the Windows 11 migration, ManagementStudio was instrumental during Hitachi Energy's divestment from ABB, facilitating a timely exit from TSAs in June 2023 and avoiding significant overrun costs.

Implications and Impact

Migrating to Windows 11 provided:

• Advanced Security Features: Protection against modern cyber threats.
• Improved Performance: Faster boot times and efficient system resource allocation.

The migration demonstrated that with strategic planning and automation, large-scale IT transformations can be executed efficiently, setting a precedent for other organizations.

Conclusion

Hitachi Energy's Windows 11 migration exemplifies how automation, strategic planning, and integration can drive successful digital transformations. This case study serves as a blueprint for organizations navigating similar transitions, highlighting the importance of proactive planning and technological adaptability.