Migrating from Airwatch to Hexnode: Future-Proofing Your UEM

In the lifecycle of every enterprise technology stack, there comes a moment when maintenance quietly becomes liability. Migrating from AirWatch to Hexnode has become a strategic priority for enterprises reassessing legacy on-prem UEM environments in light of changing vendor roadmaps, support timelines, and architectural limitations.

For more than a decade, many enterprises relied on VMware Workspace ONE (AirWatch) on-prem as their Unified Endpoint Management platform. That decision made sense in the mid-2010s. By 2026, the context has changed.

This guide provides an architecture-first roadmap for migrating from AirWatch to Hexnode UEM, helping enterprises move from legacy on-prem UEM to a cloud-native UEM model that reduces technical debt and operational exposure.

Why Enterprises Should Migrate from AirWatch to Hexnode

Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware and the separation of the End-User Computing business into Omnissa have changed the long-term outlook for AirWatch on-prem environments.

Omnissa has confirmed that Workspace ONE UEM on-prem v2410 is the final on-prem release, with end of support scheduled for April 30, 2027. For organizations still running AirWatch on-prem, this creates a fixed migration window.

At the same time, licensing structures across the VMware ecosystem have continued to evolve toward subscription-based models, increasing cost and complexity for narrowly scoped UEM deployments. Together, these factors are pushing enterprises to actively plan migration from AirWatch to Hexnode rather than extend legacy environments.

The Legacy Tax of AirWatch On-Prem UEM

Many organizations delay migration due to sunk costs. Infrastructure is already deployed. Databases are already licensed. But operational cost does not disappear—it accumulates.

Infrastructure and Database Dependencies in AirWatch

AirWatch on-prem deployments depend on dedicated server infrastructure and enterprise database backends. These components require ongoing effort for availability planning, backups, patching, monitoring, and performance tuning.

Over time, maintaining this stack becomes a primary operational burden.

Patch Management and Operational Risk

In on-prem environments, internal teams own vulnerability response end-to-end. When critical advisories emerge, administrators must coordinate downtime and apply patches manually.

Conversely, cloud-native platforms like Hexnode, shift platform maintenance and patching responsibilities to the provider. This is a key driver for those migrating from AirWatch to Hexnode.

Licensing and Vendor Consolidation Risk

Post-acquisition licensing changes have increased uncertainty for long-term AirWatch deployments. While contract terms vary, many enterprises report reduced flexibility and higher administrative overhead, particularly when UEM is the only VMware component in use.

This has accelerated interest in Workspace ONE alternatives purpose-built for modern endpoint management.

The Hexnode Shift

Hexnode removes the infrastructure layer entirely. No databases to manage, load balancers to tune, or appliance patch cycles.

You stop managing the tool and start managing the fleet.

Migrating from AirWatch to Hexnode: On-Prem vs Cloud-Native UEM Architecture

The challenge in migrating from AirWatch to Hexnode is not simply moving data. It is adapting to a fundamentally different architectural model.

The Monolithic Architecture of AirWatch

Legacy AirWatch deployments are largely database-centric. In this model, device state and command execution are tightly coupled to centralized backend services. Consequently, this creates:

• Scalability constraints during mass operations.
• A larger blast radius during system outages.
• The need for manual infrastructure planning for any fleet growth.

These characteristics are inherent to monolithic on-prem designs.

The Cloud-Native UEM Model

Hexnode follows a cloud-native UEM architecture built on distributed microservices. These services are designed for elasticity.

• Horizontal Scaling: Device communication scales automatically.
• Independence: Services operate without causing bottlenecks.
• Resilience: Capacity is managed at the platform level, allowing reliable app deployments and command execution across large enterprise device fleets.

This architectural shift is a core reason enterprises prioritize migrating from AirWatch to Hexnode as part of broader IT modernization efforts.

Featured resource

UEM migration kit

This Hexnode UEM migration kit is a comprehensive resource bundle that includes a handbook, checklists, and best practice guides designed to help organizations plan and execute a successful transition from their existing MDM solution to Hexnode.

Download the Migration Kit

Migrating from AirWatch to Hexnode: A 4-Phase Strategy

Moving thousands of devices can feel daunting. Therefore, the biggest mistake is trying to move everything at once. Successful teams use the Strangler Fig pattern, which involves gradually replacing legacy systems without disrupting operations.

Phase 1: Discovery and AirWatch Environment Audit

Long-running AirWatch environments often contain outdated or unused profiles.

Actions:

• Export configuration and policy inventories
• Identify obsolete or unused profiles

Outcome:

• Most organizations find that a large portion of policies no longer need to exist. Don’t migrate what you don’t need.

Phase 2: Co-Existence During AirWatch Migration

Migration does not require immediate device resets.

• Integrate Hexnode with the same Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) or Okta tenant
• Align baseline applications and policies
• Migrate a pilot group first

This phase de-risks migrating from AirWatch to Hexnode by validating real-world behavior early.

Phase 3: Zero-Touch Cutover to Hexnode

Modern operating systems support only a single active MDM. Therefore, the standard workflow in an AirWatch to Hexnode migration guide is:

• Deprovision: Dis-enroll or wipe devices from the legacy console.
• Redirect: Update Apple Business Manager or Windows Autopilot to point to Hexnode
• Enroll: Devices automatically enroll during the out-of-box setup.

Users sign in and are productive again—often within minutes.

Phase 4: Data Archival and On-Prem Decommissioning

Don’t delete your AirWatch database immediately.

• Export audit logs and device history
• Store securely for the required retention period
• Decommission AirWatch infrastructure once obligations are met

Security Considerations When Migrating from AirWatch to Hexnode

A common concern during AirWatch migration is whether cloud platforms meet enterprise security standards.

Cloud-Native UEM Security Model:

• Modern cloud-native UEM platforms operate under shared responsibility models that emphasize continuous patching, platform hardening, and resilience.

Data Sovereignty and Regulatory Alignment:

• Hexnode supports regional data residency options, enabling compliance with GDPR and local regulatory requirements.

Zero Trust Access Without VPN Dependency:

• Devices communicate securely over the internet without relying on inbound VPN exposure, improving security posture for distributed workforces.

For many teams, migrating from AirWatch to Hexnode actually strengthens security posture rather than weakening it.

Strategic Value of Migrating from AirWatch to Hexnode

Migration is not only about retiring legacy infrastructure—it unlocks new capabilities.

• Operational agility: Scale devices without infrastructure planning
• API-first automation: Integrate UEM with security and IT workflows
• Improved digital experience: Lightweight agents aligned with modern operating systems

These benefits are why enterprises increasingly evaluate Workspace ONE alternatives alongside Hexnode.

Conclusion: Planning Your AirWatch to Hexnode Migration

With defined end-of-support timelines and growing operational risk, migrating from AirWatch to Hexnode is no longer optional. Each additional quarter spent maintaining legacy UEM infrastructure increases cost, risk, and architectural rigidity.

Transitioning to a cloud-native UEM enables organizations to move away from server maintenance and toward scalable, resilient endpoint management built for the modern enterprise.

Migrating from AirWatch to Hexnode is not a reaction—it is a deliberate step toward reducing technical debt and future-proofing UEM architecture.

FAQs

Why migrate from on-premise AirWatch to Cloud UEM?

Migrating from AirWatch to Hexnode removes the infrastructure tax of maintaining SQL servers, patching appliances, and managing VPN concentrators. It also reduces risk from vendor consolidation and enables modern, API-driven workflows that legacy monolithic UEM architectures can’t support.

How do I move devices from one MDM to another?

The standard method involves the “Dis-enroll/Re-enroll” pattern.

1. 1. Deprovision: Issue a wipe or un-enroll command from the legacy MDM.
   2. Redirect: Update Apple Business Manager (DEP) or Windows Autopilot pointers to the new MDM.
   3. Reprovision: The user restarts the device, and the new MDM profile is automatically installed during the out-of-box setup.

Is Cloud UEM secure enough for regulated industries?

Yes. Modern Cloud-Native UEMs like Hexnode offer Data Sovereignty (pinning data to specific regions like Frankfurt or the US), SOC 2 Type II compliance, and Zero Trust architecture that eliminates the need for vulnerable VPN inbound ports, often making them more secure than unpatched on-premise servers.