Directory Consolidation & Separation (M&A)

Merge or split identity safely - structured directory transition services for mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures across AD/Entra ID, identities, devices, and access dependencies.

Mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures routinely fail to meet timelines because identity is a dependency for almost everything: user access, devices, email, SaaS applications, security controls, and collaboration tooling. Directory consolidation (merging) and separation (splitting) programmes must be planned carefully to avoid access disruption, orphaned accounts, broken authentication flows, and security gaps introduced by rushed change.

LW IT Solutions provides Directory Consolidation & Separation (M&A) as a structured identity transition service. We assess current identity estates, design the target identity model, plan coexistence and cutover, and execute the transition with clear sequencing across identities, authentication, group policy/device management, and application dependencies. The outcome is a controlled transition that protects business continuity while moving you to a supportable end-state - whether consolidating into a single directory or separating into distinct tenants and identity domains.

Talk through your requirements and leave with a clear next-step plan.

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Service Overview

Highlights

Identity-led approach covering AD DS and Entra ID
Clear sequencing across users, devices, and application authentication
Coexistence and wave-based migration to reduce business risk
Focus on privileged access, security controls, and auditability
Operational handover to ensure the new identity model is supportable

Business Benefits

Maintain user and application access continuity during mergers or divestitures
Reduce security risk by controlling privileged access and identity sprawl
Avoid rushed cutovers through phased coexistence and validation-led transitions
Improve clarity of ownership and standards in the post-transaction identity estate
Lower operational disruption to devices, email, and SaaS authentication flows

Typical use cases

Merging multiple Active Directory or Entra ID tenants after acquisition
Separating users and systems during a divestiture or spin-off
Reducing duplicated identities and inconsistent access post-merger
Carving out a business unit with minimal disruption to productivity
Stabilising identity after a rapid M&A event with limited prior planning

Objectives & deliverables

What Success Looks Like

Protect continuity of access during M&A identity transitions
Reduce security risk by designing a controlled target identity and privileged access model
Enable a clean operating model post-merger/divestiture (ownership, roles, policy standards)
Minimise disruption to users, devices, and application authentication dependencies
Deliver a sequenced plan that prevents ‘big bang’ identity cutovers unless absolutely necessary

What You Get

Identity transition assessment: current state, risks, and dependency map
Target identity architecture: directory/tenant strategy, naming standards, and policy model
Sequenced transition plan: waves, milestones, validation points, and rollback readiness
Application dependency plan: SSO/federation considerations and integration changes required
Operational pack: admin runbooks, ownership model, and post-transition governance guidance
Post-transition backlog: improvements and risk reductions to complete once stabilised

How It Works

Discover - confirm M&A goals, timelines, constraints, and the identity estates involved.
Assess - map directories, dependencies, privileged access, devices/policies, and application authentication flows.
Design - define the target identity architecture and the coexistence model during transition.
Plan - produce a phased transition plan with clear validation, communication, and rollback strategy.
Execute - migrate in waves, validate access and app dependencies, and provide hypercare support.
Stabilise - document standards and establish governance to prevent drift post-transition.

Engagement Options

Assessment Only - identity estate review with risks and transition options
Consolidation Delivery - phased merge into a target AD or Entra ID tenant
Separation Delivery - carve-out of identities, devices, and access into a new tenant
Operate - post-transition stabilisation, clean-up, and governance support

Common Bundles

Customers who use this service often bundle with these services

Microsoft Entra ID Architecture & Health Check
Assess Microsoft Entra ID architecture and tenant health to identify risk areas, configuration drift and prioritised identity improvements.

Conditional Access Design & Rollout
Design and roll out Conditional Access policies with testing, pilot groups, break glass controls, and reporting that reduces risk without disrupting users.

Privileged Identity Management (PIM) & Admin Hardening
Implement Privileged Identity Management and admin hardening to remove standing access, enforce just-in-time elevation, and govern privileged roles.

Group Policy to Intune Migration
Migrate on premises Group Policy to Microsoft Intune through structured assessment, policy mapping, pilot rollout and validation reporting.

SSO & Enterprise App Integrations
SSO and enterprise application integrations using Microsoft Entra ID, standardising access, authentication, and user lifecycle management across SaaS platforms.