How to Reduce IT Costs Using UEM
Reduce IT spend with 7 key strategies for automating management and extending device ROI.
In enterprise procurement, there is a dangerous phrase that stifles operational agility: “It’s good enough, and we already own it.”
This is the standard defense for Microsoft Intune. Because it is bundled into the Microsoft 365 E3/E5 license, the perception is that it is “free.” To a CFO, “free” is a compelling argument. But for a CIO or CSO, “free” is a license cost, not not the actual TCO of Unified Endpoint Management.
When you audit a legacy UEM implementation, you often find a sprawling invoice of hidden add-ons, support premiums, and “zombie” on-premise infrastructure.
As we head into 2026, where IT budgets are scrutinized and complexity is rising, you cannot afford to bleed OpEx on hidden fees.
This blog provides a rigorous comparison of the TCO of Unified Endpoint Management between Microsoft Intune and Hexnode UEM, demonstrating why an all-inclusive architecture can reduce operational spend by up to 60%.
The “Feature Paywall” and the TCO of Unified Endpoint Management
The genius of modern software bundling is the upsell. The base license provides the foundation, but the tools required for modern, secure operations are locked behind the paywall.
For a 5,000-employee enterprise, the “Intune subscription costs” adds up quickly:
- Remote Help: Essential for secure helpdesk support. Cost: $3.50/user/month ($210k/year).
- Endpoint Privilege Management (EPM): Critical for Zero Trust (removing local admin rights). Cost: $3.00/user/month ($180k/year).
- Advanced Analytics: Necessary for proactive device health monitoring. Cost: $5.00/user/month ($300k/year).
- The Reality: That “free” MDM is now generating an unbudgeted $500,000+ annual invoice just to match the basic functionality of a dedicated UEM.
The Hexnode Difference: Remote view, Kiosk management, and advanced reporting are baked into the core license. Incremental Cost: $0.
The “Premier Support” Black Hole
When a global policy change breaks connectivity for 5,000 devices at 2:00 AM on a Saturday, “Standard Support” (email-only) is a liability.
The Legacy Model: Microsoft Unified Support often requiring an annual commitment starting at $50,000-$100,000, calculated as a percentage of your total software investment.
The Hexnode Model: We view support as a core security feature, not a profit center. Every commercial license includes 24/5 dedicated phone, chat, and email support. The Value: You don’t need to retain a $200/hour external consultant to troubleshoot a policy conflict. Our experts are an extension of your team.
Liquidating “Zombie Infrastructure” to Optimize the TCO of Unified Endpoint Management
The “Cloud-First” promise of Intune often hits the reality of “Co-Management.” Many enterprises remain tethered to Microsoft Configuration Manager (SCCM) because the cloud-native tool lacks feature parity for complex Windows patching and legacy app deployment.
This creates a Hidden Infrastructure Burden:
- Server Maintenance: 4-10 VMs for Distribution and Management Points.
- SQL Licensing: Requirement for SQL Server Enterprise Edition.
- VPN Bandwidth: Pumping management traffic through legacy VPN concentrators.
The Hexnode Shift: Hexnode is 100% cloud-native. By decommissioning SCCM and moving to direct-to-cloud management, a typical enterprise can retire $40,000 – $80,000 annually in server maintenance and licensing.
Complexity has a direct labor cost. Because legacy platforms are difficult to configure (often requiring Graph API knowledge and deep PowerShell expertise), you cannot staff your MDM team with generalists.
Intune Architect Salary: ~$145,000/year.
Hexnode Administrator: Manageable by a Systems Generalist or Level 1 Helpdesk staff thanks to a “No-Code” policy builder.
The Strategic Impact: Hexnode democratizes IT tasks. When your Level 1 staff can securely wipe a device or push an emergency patch without escalated permissions, your senior architects are free to focus on high-value digital transformation projects.
The Final TCO Scorecard (5,000 Devices)
| Cost Driver | Legacy/Intune Stack | Hexnode UEM |
|---|---|---|
| Base License | $0 (Included in E3/E5) | Competitive Per-Device/User |
| Remote/EPM Add-ons | $390,000+ | $0 (Included) |
| Premium Support | $75,000+ | $0 (Included) |
| Server/SQL Maintenance | $50,000+ | $0 (Cloud Native) |
| Labor Complexity | High (Specialist Required) | Low (Generalist Friendly) |
| Total Annual Cost | $515,000+ | ~60% Savings |
UEM Cost Audit: FAQs
What are the primary hidden costs of legacy MDM and co-managed environments?
Beyond the surface-level licensing, organizations often face a Cumulative Subscription Burden including:
- Infrastructure: The cost of maintaining on-premise SCCM servers, Distribution Points, and SQL Server Enterprise licenses.
- Premium Support: Tying your success to a vendor’s “Unified Support” contract, which often requires a six-figure annual commitment.
- Labor Specialization: The “Salary Premium” required to hire specialized architects to manage complex, code-heavy configurations.
How does Hexnode specifically reduce IT infrastructure overhead?
Hexnode is a 100% cloud-native solution. It eliminates the need for on-premises hardware, SQL databases, and VPN concentrators. By shifting to a direct-to-cloud management model, organizations can liquidate “zombie infrastructure,” significantly reducing both capital expenditure (CapEx) and ongoing operational maintenance.
How does the “All-Inclusive” model impact budget predictability?
Traditional bundled solutions often lead to “licensing creep,” where new security or management requirements result in new monthly fees. Hexnode’s model provides long-term price certainty. Because essential features like remote control, advanced reporting, and 24/5 support are included in the core license, your budget remains stable regardless of how your technical requirements evolve.
Featured Resource
The Ultimate UEM Migration Kit
Everything you need to transition from legacy MDM to modern UEM without the downtime.
Download Migration KitDoes switching to a dedicated UEM like Hexnode increase security risk?
On the contrary, it often reduces it. Many organizations using bundled tools skip critical security features (like EPM or advanced analytics) because of the added cost. Hexnode ensures these tools are available to your team from day one. Furthermore, by removing the complexity of co-management (SCCM + Intune), you reduce the “configuration drift” that often leads to security vulnerabilities.
What is the typical “Time-to-Value” (TTV) when migrating from a legacy stack to Hexnode?
Legacy systems often require months of architectural design and PowerShell scripting. Hexnode’s No-Code policy builder and automated onboarding workflows allow most enterprises to see full operational ROI within weeks. This rapid deployment minimizes the “migration time” and allows your IT team to focus on strategic initiatives sooner.
Conclusion
For the modern CIO and CSO, the financial model is clear. The “Free” option is a Freemium model designed to lock you into a high-margin ecosystem of add-ons and support contracts.
Hexnode offers a predictable, transparent pricing model where the price you see is the price you pay. No hidden server costs. No support taxes. No “module” surprises.
When you present the budget to the board next quarter, don’t just show the license cost. Show the TCO.