CHICAGO, IL, Oct. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nerdio, the leading automated end-user computing (EUC) platform for Microsoft Cloud technologies, today released its 2026 Great Migration Report, based on a survey of hundreds of enterprise EUC decision makers.
Key Takeaways
- EUC is no longer a single-platform world. 71% of organizations operate two or more desktop virtualization or cloud desktop platforms simultaneously, while 34% operate three or more.
- Licensing and pricing changes are accelerating the shift. 63% say licensing and pricing changes have accelerated EUC modernization, up from 34% who said so two to three years ago.
- Managing hybrid complexity is the biggest obstacle. Managing a mix of legacy and cloud environments (47%) is the most common barrier to modernization, followed by operational complexity and management overhead (45%), and cloud migration skill gaps (42%).
- Operational excellence is overtaking cost as a modernization priority. Modernizing legacy environments (50%), automation and operational consistency (47%), and security and compliance (47%) all outrank cost optimization (30%).
The research finds that 71% of enterprises now operate two or more desktop virtualization or cloud desktop platforms, fundamentally changing the challenge facing IT teams: modernization is no longer just about migrating workloads, but about operating increasingly complex environments with greater efficiency, consistency, and control.
As organizations modernize different users and workloads at different speeds, multi-platform and hybrid environments are becoming the norm. In response, automation and AI-assisted operations have emerged as the #1 long-term modernization priority, ahead of scalability, features, and user experience.
"The question in enterprise EUC is no longer whether organizations will embrace the cloud, it's how effectively they can operate in a cloud-first, AI-powered world," said Scott Manchester, Chief Product and Technology Officer, Nerdio. "Our Great Migration Report confirms the hardest part of modernization is navigating the complexity of what organizations already run. Getting every move right takes a clear view of today's environment, a trusted partner, and the right tools to plan each deployment with confidence, not guesswork."
Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop Lead the EUC Platform Mix
As the single-vendor model gives way to deliberate multi-platform environments, Microsoft's role within them continues to grow. Windows 365 is used by 81% of respondents, followed by Azure Virtual Desktop at 63%, Citrix DaaS at 44%, and Omnissa Horizon at 26%. Looking ahead, 73% plan to standardize on Windows 365, AVD, or both, while 94% include Microsoft EUC technologies in their long-term strategy.
Operational Priorities Outrank Cost as the Top Drivers of EUC Modernization
Licensing and pricing changes are accelerating modernization, but they aren't defining what comes next. 63% of respondents say licensing and pricing changes have accelerated their EUC modernization or become a primary driver, up from just 34% two to three years ago.
Once organizations decide to act, their priorities quickly move beyond pricing. Respondents most frequently cited modernizing legacy environments (50%), automation and operational consistency (47%), and security and compliance (47%) as their top modernization drivers, all ranking above cost optimization (30%).
Managing Hybrid Complexity Is the Biggest Barrier to EUC Modernization
As organizations modernize, they are confronting a more complex operating reality. Today, 46% operate hybrid EUC environments spanning cloud and on-premises infrastructure, while only 11% are fully cloud-based. Over the next 12–24 months, organizations expect primarily cloud-based environments to increase to 33% and fully cloud-based deployments to more than double to 23%.
That transition makes operational complexity one of the defining challenges of modernization. Managing a mix of legacy on-premises and cloud EUC environments is the most cited barrier at 47%, followed by operational complexity and management overhead at 45%, cloud migration and operational skill gaps at 42%, and application and workload dependencies at 36%.
Automation and AI-Assisted Operations Rank as the #1 Long-Term EUC Modernization Priority
The definition of EUC success is changing as organizations navigate this transition, with the focus shifting toward how efficiently IT teams can operate and continuously improve the environment over time.
Automation and AI-assisted operations rank as the #1 long-term modernization priority, followed by simplifying EUC operations and management at #2 and improving governance, security, and consistency at #3. These priorities reflect a broader shift toward operational maturity as environments grow more complex.
The next phase of the Great Migration will be defined less by how quickly organizations move workloads and more by how effectively they operate what they build. As EUC environments become more distributed and multi-platform, automation, AI-assisted operations, and consistent management will increasingly determine whether modernization delivers its intended value.
Explore the Research
- Download the Full Report: Dive into the data behind the 2026 Great Migration Report.
- See Customer Success Stories: Discover how enterprises like Carvana, LexisNexis, Penn State University, and Sage are navigating their own Great Migrations with Nerdio.
- Chart Your Path with Nerdio Compass: Understand your EUC environment today and choose the right path to Windows Cloud with confidence.
Methodology
This report is based on an independent survey of 175 enterprise EUC decision makers with at least 1,000 full time employees, including IT leaders and professionals responsible for EUC strategy, virtualization, cloud desktops, endpoint management, and digital workspace initiatives. Key industries represented include technology, manufacturing, retail, banking and financial services, and healthcare.
About Nerdio
Nerdio is a leading provider of powerful, simplified cloud management solutions for businesses of all sizes. Trusted by enterprise IT departments and managed service providers (MSPs) alike, Nerdio equips organizations with seamless, cost-effective management tools for Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and comprehensive Microsoft 365 solutions.
With over 23,000 customers and 6.5 million users worldwide, Nerdio accelerates cloud adoption, enabling companies to thrive in an era of hybrid work by providing modern, future-proof technology that adapts to evolving workplace needs.
For more information, please visit getnerdio.com.
