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Case studies

Windows 11 and Intune Upgrade: How NSW Ports Modernised Device Management with Minimal Disruption

NSW Ports is a critical infrastructure provider based in New South Wales, Australia. The organisation is responsible for managing and operating vital trade gateways that support the state’s economy. Its portfolio includes Port Botany and Port Kembla—two of Australia’s busiest ports—as well as the Enfield Intermodal Logistics Centre and the Cooks River Intermodal Terminal.

NSW Ports plays a central role in facilitating the efficient movement of goods, supporting over 90% of container imports into New South Wales. It serves key industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, construction, and energy.

Challenges

NSW Ports faced several challenges during its project to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11, alongside a review of its existing Intune environment.

One major challenge was ensuring hardware and software compatibility for the upgrade. The team needed to decommission unsupported Windows 10 devices and implement Windows feature update policies for the existing fleet of 120 devices.

Another key challenge involved ensuring that upgraded devices retained all required applications, policies, and customisations within Intune. This included:

  • Removing pre-installed applications
  • Modifying the taskbar
  • Configuring Wi-Fi settings
  • Adjusting widgets
  • Customising the Start menu and other system settings

The project required a user acceptance testing (UAT)/pilot phase on a small number of devices to refine policies before proceeding with a phased rollout. Minimising disruption to end users and business operations was a critical objective, requiring close collaboration with the NSW Ports IT team.

 

Solution

Oreta addressed NSW Ports’ challenges through a structured assessment and planning process.

This included a full evaluation of the existing Intune architecture, covering:

  • Device enrolment
  • Windows Autopilot
  • Windows Update Policies
  • Applications
  • Configuration Profiles
  • Compliance Policies
  • Platform Scripts
  • Reporting
  • System customisations

All Windows devices were assessed for hardware and software compatibility, and unsupported devices were decommissioned. Oreta also developed a tailored feature update policy for the existing fleet of 120 devices, consisting of 90 laptops and 15 desktops.

The upgrade process was executed via Intune, aligned with Microsoft best practices and modern workspace standards. Customisations were applied to ensure all essential settings and configurations were retained across devices.

A pilot test was conducted on a small group of devices, enabling refinements to policies before the phased rollout. This ensured a smooth transition and minimal disruption to business operations, supported by close coordination with the NSW Ports IT team.

Outcome

The outcomes of the project were significant, equipping NSW Ports with a modern, secure, and scalable device management environment.

Key measurable outcomes include:

  • Increased Device Compatibility
    Successfully upgraded 100% of the Windows 10 fleet to Windows 11, including 105 laptops and 15 desktops.
  • Enhanced Visibility and Control
    Achieved improved visibility over all devices through the successful implementation of the Intune Foundation phase.
  • Reduced Disruption
    Phased rollout approach minimised operational disruption and ensured continuity for end users.
  • Enhanced Security and Compliance
    Strengthened security posture through adherence to Microsoft’s best practices.
  • Future Scalability
    Established a strong foundation for future modern workplace initiatives and cloud-first strategies.

Additionally, the project ensured all components of the Intune environment were aligned with Microsoft standards. The close collaboration between Oreta and NSW Ports’ IT team was instrumental in achieving smooth deployment, setting NSW Ports up for long-term operational success and improved digital engagement.

 

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Winslow

Winslow is one of the leading civil construction companies in Australia. The team at Winslow manage the design and construction of civil engineering projects for government, corporate property developers, and private landowners.

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