The Situation 

As the end of Windows 7 support approached, abrdn was at a pivotal moment. The organisation faced a critical challenge: transitioning to a modern Windows 10 desktop environment before the 2022 deadline. This upgrade was not just a necessary step to ensure continued support but also a strategic move, as migrating to Windows 10 was seen as a precursor to eventually moving to Windows 11. By doing so, abrdn would be position itself to eventually tapping into the broader capabilities of Windows 11, which offers enhanced functionalities and updates that could improve the user experience across the organisation. 

Beyond simply upgrading, abrdn aimed to leverage Microsoft cloud-based technologies to enhance the user experience for its global workforce. Recognising the complexity and importance of this transition, abrdn’s technology leadership team sought a partner with proven expertise in managing large-scale, business-critical transformations. Plan b AI had previously demonstrated such expertise during the successful Colleague Migration element of the merger between Aberdeen Asset Management and Standard Life Investments. Based on this prior success, abrdn wanted to leverage Plan b AI’s capabilities and experience to drive the Digital Workplace Programme (DWP) to a successful outcome. 

The Response 

Plan b AI was brought in to take control of the DWP and spearhead the transition. The programme kicked off in September 2021, focusing on multiple streams to ensure a smooth migration and build a future-proof digital workplace: 

• Global Rebranding and Identity Harmonisation: The digital workplace program at abrdn coincided with a global rebranding initiative, adding another layer of complexity. The task was not only to migrate all users to the new domain but to do so without disrupting essential third-party relationships and data feeds. This involved harmonising identities to a new format, ensuring seamless cloud service consumption. 

• Infrastructure Upgrades: The move to Windows 10 required significant upgrades to abrdn’s core infrastructure, particularly Active Directory (AD) and SCCM. These upgrades were critical to support the advanced features of Windows 10 and to transition to a cloud-centric deployment model. All physical infrastructure was replaced, and a new version of AD was implemented globally, with zero impact on production services. 

• Application Packaging and Remediation: The diverse application landscape at abrdn presented another challenge. Applications running on Windows 7 needed to be reviewed, repackaged, or even rewritten to ensure compatibility with Windows 10. The complexity was amplified by End User Developed Applications (EUDAs) that required significant reworking to function in the new environment. 

• Next-Generation Windows 10 Build: To truly future-proof the organisation, abrdn adopted the 21H2 version of Windows 10, positioning the company for an evergreen future and laying the groundwork for the eventual adoption of Windows 11. This version also included restructured Group Policy Objects (GPOs) for enhanced performance and security. 

• Enhanced Security Framework: A robust security framework was developed based on CIS standards, ensuring that the new digital workplace was not only modern and performant but also secure. The framework supported a blended working environment and optimized the desktop experience while maintaining stringent security controls. 

• Migration to Microsoft 365: The program also included the migration of email services to Exchange Online (ExO) and a broader push to enhance the usage of Microsoft 365 tools. This migration was a critical step in providing a modern, cloud-based workspace that enhanced collaboration and productivity across the organization. 

• Comprehensive Early Life Support (ELS): Throughout the migration process, we provided extensive ELS to minimise disruption and ensure a smooth transition for all abrdn employees. For VIPs and tier-one executives, we prioritised dedicated one-on-one support from our most experienced team members. These experts were strategically scheduled to spend ample time with each executive, allowing for the quickest and smoothest transition possible. By working closely with department heads and coordinators, we meticulously planned the migration to align with each executive’s schedule and obligations. Additionally, this personalised approach was extended across the organisation, ensuring that every employee received thorough explanations of any changes to their desktop build or device. Given that abrdn’s employees had already undergone significant technological changes over the previous two years, this tailored support was crucial in managing IT change fatigue and ensuring a successful migration for the entire organisation. 

• Business Engagement Leadership: Recognising the importance of business engagement in the success of the DWP, Plan b AI appointed a full-time business engagement lead who worked closely with “business champions” across abrdn, addressing their concerns and ensuring they had a positive experience with the program. This role was instrumental in securing the buy-in of end users and business leaders, which was critical for the program’s success. 

Plan b AI’s management of the DWP was marked by flexibility and resourcefulness. The team size was adjusted throughout the program to align with priority outcomes and milestones, ensuring efficient use of client resources. Additionally, Plan b AI demonstrated exceptional adaptability by efficiently managing scope changes, maximising the client’s budget while delivering high-quality outcomes aligned with abrdn’s evolving priorities. 

The Results 

The Digital Workplace Programme was successfully completed, achieving its primary objectives and more: 

• 100% of colleagues were migrated from Windows 7 to the new Strategic Windows 10 (21H2) build, with most devices and supporting infrastructure decommissioned. 

• 99% adoption of the new 21H2 build across all virtual desktops and laptops, ensuring abrdn’s technology ecosystem was fully modernised. 

• All key infrastructure components were upgraded, unlocking the latest Windows 10 features and enabling robust data leakage protection. 

• 100% of in-scope colleagues were migrated to Exchange Online, aligning identities with the new abrdn brand and decommissioning the old Exchange environment. 

The DWP at abrdn was far more than a simple upgrade; it was a strategic initiative that fundamentally transformed the way the organisation operates. By tackling the complexity beneath the surface, abrdn has positioned itself at the forefront of digital workplace innovation, ensuring that it is well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future.