For the Enterprise Architect, executing a UEM migration usually sits on the to-do list right next to “auditing the server room cabling” or “explaining WiFi to the board of directors.” It is the massive, high-stakes project that everyone instinctively avoids.
This hesitation makes perfect sense. You had to wipe 5,000 devices, force 5,000 frustrated employees to manually re-enroll, and cross your fingers that the new profiles landed before the Helpdesk lines melted down from the heat.
But in 2026, the architecture of migration has evolved. You no longer must burn down the house just to renovate the kitchen.
We call this the Side-by-Side Migration Strategy (or Co-Existence). This approach allows you to run Hexnode concurrently with your legacy provider (such as Intune, AirWatch, or MobileIron) for weeks or months. It enables you to move devices in silent, controlled batches with zero operational downtime.
This playbook details the technical steps to execute a “Stealth Migration.” You will learn how to deploy the Hexnode Agent inside your current MDM, slipping it in like any standard app update, and perform a digital sleight of hand to swap the Identity keys without the user ever missing a beat.
Manage and secure every Android endpoint through a side-by-side migration.
The “Agent-First” Infiltration (Windows & macOS)
This phase acts as the critical technical unlock for Desktop fleets. Unlike mobile devices (which usually restrict you to one management profile), Windows and macOS can tolerate a “Management Agent” running alongside a legacy MDM profile.
We will use your Current MDM as the delivery vehicle for the Hexnode Agent.
The Workflow:
- Package the Payload: Download the Hexnode Installer (.msi for Windows or .pkg for Mac).
- Deploy via Legacy MDM: In Intune (or Workspace ONE), create a “Required App” policy targeted at “All Windows Devices.” Upload your script.
- The Result: The Hexnode Agent installs silently in the background on 10,000 laptops. It sits dormant, reporting inventory but not enforcing policies yet.
Why this wins: You have now staged the new agent on 100% of your fleet without the user noticing a thing. You are locked, loaded, and ready for the switch.
The Switchover (The Event)
Since the Hexnode Agent is already installed, the switch is painless.
- Command: Send the “Un-enroll” command from your Legacy MDM.
- Reaction: The Legacy profile disappears. The Hexnode Agent detects the vacuum and immediately promotes itself to “Device Owner,” applying your Hexnode policies in seconds.
- User Experience: Zero downtime. They might see a notification: “Workplace account updated.”
Breaking the Chains
The myth of “Vendor Lock-in” relies entirely on the belief that migration is impossible. It isn’t. It is simply an engineering sequence.
You can migrate 20,000 devices without generating a single helpdesk ticket. You do not need to remain tethered to a legacy provider simply because the exit door looks scary.
Plan the work. Script the agent. Swap the keys.
Ready to migrate to a better UEM?
Our Migration Engineers can help you script the "Agent-First" deployment for your specific legacy environment.
Request a Migration Consultation Today!FAQs
Q: Can I run two MDMs on the same device?
A: On Windows and macOS, yes (partially). You can have the Hexnode Agent installed alongside a legacy MDM profile, allowing for a seamless handover. However, on iOS and Android, the OS enforces a strict “One Management Profile” rule, meaning you must remove the old profile before installing the new one.
