Moving to Cloud Native Apps with Robopack & Rimo3: How to Make the Leap Easier

Microsoft recently highlighted the need to “face the future today” by moving applications to a cloud native model. It is something we see every day: organisations want the agility, security, and simplicity of cloud native management, but get held up by legacy packaging, compatibility gaps, and uncertainty about where to start.

As someone who spends most days in the thick of these migrations, I am glad to see partners like Robopack and Rimo3 front and center. These are not just nice to have add-ons, they reduce risk, compress timelines, and remove a lot of manual work when moving apps from ConfigMgr or other on-prem approaches into Intune.

Why modernising apps matters

Shifting to cloud native app management simplifies IT operations, improves security posture, and boosts agility. When apps are packaged for Intune and centrally managed, you gain:

• Easier onboarding and deployment
• Better alignment with Zero Trust principles
• Seamless integration with conditional access and compliance
• A cleaner path to Windows 11, Windows 365, and AVD

The real challenge is the transition. Most estates include a mix of MSI, EXE, App Volumes, custom apps, and old dependencies that do not always play nicely in modern environments. Packaging and testing become critical.

How Robopack and Rimo3 help

At Phoenix, we partner closely with Robopack and Rimo3 because they address different sides of the same problem and work well together.

What Robopack actually does

Robopack is a SaaS platform that connects to Intune and streamlines packaging, publishing, and ongoing patching.

• Radar and library match: Import your inventory and let Radar auto-match titles against a large pre-packaged library so you can migrate a big chunk quickly. Matched apps are Intune ready.
• Pre-packaged apps with auto-updates: The library integrates with Intune and supports frequent automated patching so common third-party apps stay current without extra effort.
• Simple Intune connection, no local install: Connect your tenant and manage packaging from the browser.
• Consistent custom packaging: For apps not in the library, build packages with PSADT v4 templates to keep standards tight.
• Wave deployment and patch management: Orchestrate phased rollouts, target rings, and automate third-party patching across groups.

What Rimo3 actually does

Rimo3 focuses on automated readiness, packaging, and validation at enterprise scale. It is ideal when you have lots of Win32 apps and need confidence before cutover.

• Automated readiness checks: Assess suitability for Windows 11, Windows 365, AVD, and Intune.
• Hands-off packaging: Generate Intune ready Win32 and MSIX packages with minimal scripting, then publish to Intune.
• Evergreen validation: Automate install, launch, and smoke tests across different Windows builds to reduce regression risk during updates.
• SCCM to Intune at pace: The Intune Migration approach streamlines packaging and validation with dashboards and phased deployment support.

Robopack vs Rimo3 at a glance

Five Practical Steps to Get Started

If you're planning to move apps to a cloud native model, consider this approach:

1. Assess your app estate
   Identify what you have, who uses it, and how it’s delivered today.
2. Choose the right tools and partners
   Tools like Rimo3 and Robopack can automate the heavy lifting, from packaging to testing.
3. Set your standards early
   Define how apps should behave in a modern setup, including security and access controls.
4. Pilot and validate
   Test a small set of apps across user groups to fine tune your deployment process.
5. Track and measure progress
   Capture the value in time saved, support tickets reduced, and apps successfully modernized.

Resources: Accelerate Your Move to Cloud-Native App Management

Here are the two partner-led programs you can use today to simplify and speed up your application migration journey:

Robopack Safe Passage

Get 60 days of unrestricted access to Robopack’s packaging and testing platform, designed for Intune-ready environments.

• Upload your app inventory and match against Robopack’s pre-packaged library
• Use Safe Passage Radar to identify migration-ready apps
• Package unmatched apps manually using standardized templates
  👉 Start with Robopack Safe Passage

Rimo3 + Microsoft Intune Migration Program

Automate the migration of applications from SCCM to Intune with zero manual packaging.

• Free 2-month trial with unlimited Win32 packaging
• Automated compatibility testing and validation
• Built-in reporting, dashboards, and phased deployment support
  👉 Get started with the Intune Migration Program

Need help planning your app migration? Get in touch!