ENGIE’s journey to a modern workplace with Windows 11 and Intune

ENGIE used Windows 10 with Microsoft Configuration Manager and VPN for device management.

Device and application management were complex.

Password-based authentication posed risks; support tickets strained IT resources.

ENGIE migrated 45,000 devices to a cloud-managed environment with Windows 11 and Intune.

It incorporated security features like Windows Hello for Business and Zero Trust architecture.

Windows Autopilot for provisioning devices improved efficiency and sustainability.

Intune cut support tickets and eased service desk load.

Security has been fortified with Windows Hello for Business.

Users praised Windows 11 for biometric authentication and patch management.

Windows Autopilot reduced provisioning time and improved compatibility.

Combining Intune and Windows 11 provides ENGIE with systems that deliver better performance, reliability, and user experience.

Laetitia Berard, Digital Workplace Director, ENGIE

ENGIE, a global leader in low-carbon energy, has modernized its IT by migrating 45,000 devices to a cloud-managed environment using Windows 11 and Microsoft Intune. The company plans to transform an additional 33,000 devices by the end of 2026, supporting around 78,000 devices in total. This transition improved efficiency, security, and sustainability, supporting ENGIE’s Net Zero Carbon goal by 2045. Enhanced remote management, advanced security features like Windows Hello for Business, and streamlined operations led to significant reductions in support tickets and positive user feedback

Innovating for a balanced and sustainable energy future

ENGIE, a French multinational electric utility company, stands as a global reference in low-carbon energy and services. With a workforce of 97,000 employees, ENGIE is deeply committed to accelerating the transition toward a carbon-neutral world by reducing energy consumption and implementing more environmentally friendly solutions. This dedication is embodied in its purpose, which seeks to harmonize economic performance with a positive impact on people and the planet.

ENGIE’s strategic vision is anchored in achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2045 and becoming a leader in zero-carbon energies through a unique alliance of molecules and electrons. As global energy demand is projected to increase nearly 50% over the next 30 years, ENGIE aims to balance this growth by integrating the latest innovations to ensure a safe, reliable, and sustainable energy supply for organizations and individuals, maintaining its leadership in the energy sector.

Streamlining IT processes with modern cloud solutions

To modernize its workplace environment and streamline IT operations, ENGIE migrated 45,000 devices globally from a Microsoft Configuration Manager–based system to a fully managed cloud environment with Windows 11 Enterprise and Microsoft Intune. This move aimed to address several critical challenges and enhance overall efficiency and security.

Managing an older Windows 10 environment, which relied heavily on Windows Server Active Directory on-premises and VPN for management and updates, posed initial challenges. However, transitioning to a fully cloud-managed environment using Windows 11 and Intune eliminated these dependencies, significantly simplifying IT operations. “Our previous Windows 10 environment was dependent on on-premises Active Directory and VPNs, which wasn’t optimal,” says Alexis Hurlot, Workplace Experts Team Leader at ENGIE. “In 2022, we made the decision to standardize and centralize management of all ENGIE devices around the globe."

The built-in security features of Windows 11, such as hardware-based isolation, encryption, and malware protection, have made our security posture stronger.

Alexis Hurlot, Workplace Experts Team Leader, ENGIE

Unifying advanced security features and biometric authentication through Windows Hello for Business aligns with ENGIE’s Zero Trust architecture. With this technology, users can sign in to their Windows devices using biometric data or a PIN instead of a traditional password, thereby improving the company’s security posture. “The built-in security features of Windows 11, such as hardware-based isolation, encryption, and malware protection, have made our security posture stronger,” Alexis adds.

Implementing Windows 11 across all devices, both physical and virtual, has created a cohesive, manageable, and modern environment. “Combining Intune and Windows 11 provides ENGIE with systems that deliver better performance, reliability, and user experience,” explains Laetitia Berard, Digital Workplace Director at ENGIE. “We have fundamentally changed the way our workplace is managed, using Intune to deliver Microsoft Entra Conditional Access device compliance, and automated updates.”

Elevating IT infrastructure for measurable benefits

The transformation to Windows 11 and Intune has resulted in significant improvements and measurable benefits for ENGIE. “Since moving to a cloud-based environment with Intune, we’ve seen a notable drop in support tickets, especially for password issues,” says Laetitia. “This has reduced our service desk workload significantly.” Alexis highlights that the deployment of Windows Hello for Business not only enhanced user authentication but also played a crucial role in reducing authentication incidents. “We have significantly reduced authentication-related support incidents by up to 20%,” she says.

Laetitia notes that feedback regarding user experience on Windows 11 has been extremely positive. “Users appreciate the new features, including biometric authentication and improved patch management,” she says. With Windows Autopilot, the device provisioning process has improved, shortening the qualification time for new models while boosting compatibility with hardware and drivers. “We use Windows Autopilot provisioning worldwide, delivering devices worldwide and improving the process by reducing qualification time for new models and enhancing hardware and driver compatibility,” explains Alexis. ENGIE aims to maximize the lifespan of its laptops through cloud monitoring, ensuring a positive user experience and compliance with our cybersecurity policies. Laetitia adds, “Extending the device lifespan reduces the need for frequent hardware replacements, contributing to sustainability efforts and minimizing electronic waste.” During the pandemic, users were able to work from home immediately thanks to Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams, which were already deployed globally on workstations. They were also able to continue updating ENGIE’s workstations remotely thanks to Configuration Manager cloud components.

Since moving to a cloud-based environment with Intune, we’ve seen a notable drop in support tickets, especially for password issues.

Laetitia Berard, Digital Workplace Director, ENGIE

Elevating IT infrastructure for measurable benefits

The transformation to Windows 11 and Intune has resulted in significant improvements and measurable benefits for ENGIE. “Since moving to a cloud-based environment with Intune, we’ve seen a notable drop in support tickets, especially for password issues,” says Laetitia. “This has reduced our service desk workload significantly.” Alexis highlights that the deployment of Windows Hello for Business not only enhanced user authentication but also played a crucial role in reducing authentication incidents. “We have significantly reduced authentication-related support incidents by up to 20%,” she says.

Laetitia notes that feedback regarding user experience on Windows 11 has been extremely positive. “Users appreciate the new features, including biometric authentication and improved patch management,” she says. With Windows Autopilot, the device provisioning process has improved, shortening the qualification time for new models while boosting compatibility with hardware and drivers. “We use Windows Autopilot provisioning worldwide, delivering devices worldwide and improving the process by reducing qualification time for new models and enhancing hardware and driver compatibility,” explains Alexis. ENGIE aims to maximize the lifespan of its laptops through cloud monitoring, ensuring a positive user experience and compliance with our cybersecurity policies. Laetitia adds, “Extending the device lifespan reduces the need for frequent hardware replacements, contributing to sustainability efforts and minimizing electronic waste.” During the pandemic, users were able to work from home immediately thanks to Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams, which were already deployed globally on workstations. They were also able to continue updating ENGIE’s workstations remotely thanks to Configuration Manager cloud components.

Looking forward, ENGIE plans to make use of features like Windows Autopatch and further explore compliance policies within its Zero Trust framework. The ongoing transformation aims to optimize operations, enhance the user experience, and reduce dependency on older systems. Laetitia emphasizes, “We see a new opportunity to go a step further in modern management with the ability to do much more with Windows 11 and Intune.”

The strategic deployment of Windows 11 and Intune has propelled ENGIE into a modern, efficient, and highly secure IT environment. This transformation supports the company’s mission to accelerate the transition toward a carbon-neutral world while improving operational efficiency and user satisfaction. By embracing these advanced technologies, ENGIE has positioned itself to meet the growing energy demands of the future while maintaining a strong focus on security and user satisfaction. This strategic move not only supports ENGIE’s sustainability goals but also ensures a more streamlined, secure, and user-friendly IT environment for its employees.

We use Windows Autopilot provisioning worldwide, delivering devices worldwide and improving the process by reducing qualification time for new models and enhancing hardware and driver compatibility.

Alexis Hurlot, Workplace Experts Team Leader, ENGIE

Looking forward, ENGIE plans to make use of features like Windows Autopatch and further explore compliance policies within its Zero Trust framework. The ongoing transformation aims to optimize operations, enhance the user experience, and reduce dependency on older systems. Laetitia emphasizes, “We see a new opportunity to go a step further in modern management with the ability to do much more with Windows 11 and Intune.”

The strategic deployment of Windows 11 and Intune has propelled ENGIE into a modern, efficient, and highly secure IT environment. This transformation supports the company’s mission to accelerate the transition toward a carbon-neutral world while improving operational efficiency and user satisfaction. By embracing these advanced technologies, ENGIE has positioned itself to meet the growing energy demands of the future while maintaining a strong focus on security and user satisfaction. This strategic move not only supports ENGIE’s sustainability goals but also ensures a more streamlined, secure, and user-friendly IT environment for its employees.

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