Cloud Endpoints practice expands workplace transformation

As one of the first Microsoft partners to build a completely cloud-based Modern Work practice, glueckkanja has always put workplace transformation at the center of its business. Over the past decade, the team has turned years of expertise and guidance into its Workplace Blueprint, a methodology for implementing a standardized, end-to-end strategy for identity, security, provisioning, and lifecycle automation. This blueprint-based approach is complemented by glueckkanja's managed services delivery model, along with add-on offerings built for Microsoft Intune and identity and endpoint management that further automate and accelerate deployment and innovation for Cloud Endpoint customers.

While its Modern Work practice did not originally include desktop as a service (DaaS)-based solutions, the release of Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop was a natural fit for glueckkanja. These technologies were quickly integrated into its blueprint approach, and tools and services layers were adapted to support DaaS scenarios - all of which helped the partner earn Microsoft Modernize Endpoints and Azure Virtual Desktop specializations. “This practice is built on helping customers achieve secure, flexible access from anywhere using a mix of Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Intune as the foundation for modern, cloud-native endpoints,” said Andreas Hötzinger, Member of the Management Board and Consulting Lead at glueckkanja AG. “Our combination of a mature methodology, field-tested tools, and a strong co-sell partnership with Microsoft has made us the partner of choice for organizations seeking reliable, scalable solutions as they shift to hybrid and elastic workplace models.”

Today, Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop have grown to account for 15 to 20 percent of its overall Modern Work business, and glueckkanja has seen an increase in customer wins by 20 percent and pipeline expansion of 25 percent as a result. “This strategic expansion has opened up a completely new business area for us,” continued Hötzinger.

Real estate company increases agility, lowers costs with Windows 365

One of the most common use case scenarios for glueckkanja's Windows 365 services is helping companies improve onboarding and support for external employees. That was the case for Instone Group, Germany's leading residential developer of everything from apartment buildings to entire urban neighborhoods. Real estate development requires support from external staff and contractors, and Instone's IT group was spending significant time furnishing these workers with laptops that took up to two weeks to procure, prepare, and distribute.

Instone reached out to the experts at glueckkanja for a simpler, faster way of integrating these external users into its processes. Using Windows 365, Intune, and RealmJoin, glueckkanja moved Instone from an on-premises system to a fully cloud-managed, automated solution in just under three months. Instone is now able to transfer apps, data, content, and settings from the Microsoft Cloud to any external employee device. “It now takes just one click to provide someone with a fully functional workspace,” said Leon Gottschalk, Cloud Architect at glueckkanja. “We were able to move very fast to get Instone up and running because our refined blueprint-based methodology ensures rapid deployment without compromising on governance, security, or user experience.”

“In the past, it took an enormous amount of effort to orchestrate the onboarding process,” said Frank Thyen, Head of IT at the Instone Group. “But thanks to Windows 365, we can now onboard external employees by the end of the day, including device setup.” In addition to reducing onboarding time from two weeks to a single day, the Windows 365 solution saved Instone from purchasing 50 new laptops, which helped lower costs and enhance its Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) rating.

Because Instone opted for the solution as part of a managed services offering, glueckkanja has a continuous view into the environment to identify evolving challenges and proactively position additional usage of security, identity, and automation features for further transformation and efficiencies. “Our strategic shift to managed security helps us ensure long-term customer value and stability, while also strengthening our ability to deliver sustained innovation, especially in fast-evolving areas like Cloud Endpoints and Microsoft 365 Copilot,” said Hötzinger.

Furthermore, Instone is also using Windows 365 internally to meet performance needs in departments that require higher computing power. For example, project managers working with large files now benefit from scalable, cloud-based workspaces, helping the company streamline workflows across both internal and external teams.

Microsoft Copilot seeds further growth

When it comes to Microsoft 365 Copilot, glueckkanja sees another big opportunity for expanding its Cloud Endpoints practice. The company has invested early in building in-house expertise and dedicated resources for Copilot integration, enablement, and lifecycle support and has already extended its Workplace Blueprint methodology to include Copilot-specific guidance, governance models and operational standards. Even its tooling and deployment accelerators are being continuously adapted to support Copilot scenarios across Windows 365, Intune, and Microsoft 365. “From our perspective, a workplace strategy without Copilot is no longer complete,” said Hötzinger. “We need to ensure that organizations not only deploy Copilot securely, but also drive real productivity outcomes.”

Copilot curiosity has boosted sales inquiries, creating new entry points within business groups and a way to position end-to-end Cloud Endpoints offerings as part of a broader transformation journey. “Copilot has opened the door to a new generation of productivity, and we see Cloud Endpoints as the essential foundation to deliver that innovation securely and at scale. We’re genuinely excited about what lies ahead with the AI-powered workplace,” concluded Hötzinger.

"In the past, it took an enormous amount of effort to orchestrate the onboarding process. But thanks to Windows 365, we can now onboard external employees by the end of the day, including device setup."

— Frank Thyen, Head of IT, Instone Group

"Copilot has opened the door to a new generation of productivity, and we see Cloud Endpoints as the essential foundation to deliver that innovation securely and at scale. We’re genuinely excited about what lies ahead with the AI-powered workplace."

— Andreas Hötzinger, Member of the Management Board and Consulting Lead, glueckkanja AG

glueckkanja powers business growth with Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop