Systems Management
Q & A with SysAdmin Superstars: Johan Arwidmark
Topics: Systems Management
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Johan Arwidmark is a highly regarded consultant, author, and speaker, known for his expertise in Enterprise Windows Deployment and Systems Management. A Microsoft MVP since 2005, he is recognized for his engaging and humorous presentation style, simplifying complex concepts with practical, real-world scenarios and live demos. Johan runs Deployment Research and Viamonstra, platforms dedicated to systems management and operating system deployment, with a focus on ConfigMgr, Intune, and MDT. He also serves as a Technical Fellow at 2Pint Software.
Can you share a pivotal project or event that solidified your focus on Windows deployment tools and systems management? How has this specialization influenced your career trajectory?
The first time I saw the wall of fire was quite defining. This was when Microsoft upgraded, live, 100 Windows 2000 machines to Windows XP, during the IT Forum keynote in Copenhagen in November 2004. This was the first live demo of the OSD FP for SMS 2003, and it was beautiful!
With extensive experience in systems management and Windows deployment, what strategies would you recommend for SysAdmins to transition from a reactive to a proactive operational stance?
Test, test, and test. Make sure you have access to at least one lab or QA environment where you can test your changes. Also, learn about new solutions.
Given your deep involvement in community platforms like deploymentresearch.com, what emerging trends in AI and machine learning do you see shaping the future of endpoint management and security?
It’s early, and Microsoft currently makes it hard to evaluate Copilot for Security because of pricing. Very few people can afford $35,000 just for a lab.
Down the road, I expect to see AI provide great insight into security configurations, risky user behavior, and issues in the Entra and Intune platforms.
From your vantage point, what are the most common mistakes organizations make when managing and securing their deployments? Could you provide best practices based on your experience?
It often goes back to not testing, not doing the work in a lab first.
I could spend a week covering the setup of Intune or ConfigMgr, so it’s hard to answer here in just a sentence or two.
While your primary focus is on Microsoft tools, do you employ any non-Microsoft technologies or methodologies to enhance your deployment and management practices? How do these integrate with tools like MDT, WinPE, and ConfigMgr?
Since I’m working with 2Pint Software, I use our management tools for content distribution in Intune and ConfigMgr, and also the OSD Toolkit and PXE responders we make.
What is one dream you have not yet achieved, and what steps are you taking to make it a reality?
In general, create larger events on our training academy (ViaMonstra). I miss the old TechEd days so much. No plans are in progress yet, but I am still interested in this idea.
What advice would you offer to young IT professionals who aspire to become recognized as MVPs in the future?
Don’t think you have nothing to say just because other people blogged about a topic. You have a voice—your experience and angle. Share that and be helpful and kind. For the community, contributing is everything.
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