Posted 04/04/2025
After much anticipation, the long-awaited version 3.1 release is finally here, packed with powerful new features and enhancements for both PowerSyncPro Migration Agent and PowerSyncPro DirSync. This is our biggest and most robust update to date, taking both tools to the next level in managing workstation migrations and directory synchronisation with even greater ease and efficiency.
We listened to our partners and introduced features based on your feedback. Version 3.1 is all about improving your experience, and that of your users – making it smoother, faster, and more reliable.
One key addition? A user-initiated workstation migration feature, accessible directly from the tray app, giving users more control while over the migration process.
For complex environments, we’ve introduced exciting new features like the remote proxy agent for synchronisation over disconnected networks, and supporting Entra ID extension attributes along with a host of improvements aimed at reducing manual steps and boosting overall efficiency.
We’ve also made important system improvements that enhanced security, usability, and flexibility, solidifying PowerSyncPro as the go-to solution for IT professionals managing complex migrations, syncs and consolidations.
Now, let’s dive into the juicy details of the changes you’ll see in both Migration Agent and DirSync.
PowerSyncPro Migration Agent streamlines the migration process for workstations and servers, allowing for seamless transitions between Active Directory and Entra ID. It ensures minimal disruption by maintaining user profiles, permissions, and data integrity throughout the migration.
System tray icon for PowerSyncPro Migration Agent
We have introduced a system tray icon that provides quick access to essential agent functions. From the tray, you can view the agent’s ‘About’ information, manually fetch updates to runbooks and assignments, and trigger a pending migration when convenient.
Reduced the runbook fetch cycle
Another great feature requested by our partners – the agent now fetches runbooks hourly instead of every 24 hours, significantly reducing delays. Upon first registration, the agent will check for a runbook at increasing intervals of 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 60 minutes until a runbook is received.
Migrate computers from Workgroup to Active Directory/Entra ID
You can now migrate computers from a Workgroup environment directly into Active Directory or Entra ID using PowerSyncPro, all while preserving the user’s Windows profile for a seamless transition.
Migrate remote file shares (e.g. NAS devices)
PowerSyncPro now enables the migration of file share permissions on remote NAS devices or servers using the migration agent. As long as the agent has access to the shares and the provided account has the necessary NTFS permission modification rights, PowerSyncPro will complete the reACL task automatically.
Migrate SQL Server, and IIS permissions
PowerSyncPro now supports migrating SQL Server and IIS permissions as part of a Windows workstation or server migration between Active Directory domains. For workstations, these permissions are also preserved when transitioning to Entra ID.
Localise all migration agent popup windows
You can now fully customise all text displayed to end users during migration, including support for multiple languages. The migration agent detects the user’s preferred language based on regional settings and presents dialogs accordingly. Also, you can add an optional QR code to each popup, directing users to a help page or additional resources.
Verify connectivity to /agent endpoint
We’ve added a dedicated landing page that allows you to verify connectivity to the PowerSyncPro /agent endpoint, ensuring that the connection is properly established and operational.
Delay deletion of the admin fallback account by up to 365 days
The optional admin fallback account can now be retained for up to 365 days before deletion. This provides an extra recovery option in case end users experience issues and no other administrative account is available on the machine.
Improved migration scheduling and clarity
We have updated migration batch terminology to improve clarity:
Additionally, runbook available/start time errors now appear as warnings instead of errors, reducing unnecessary alerts and improving usability.
Extended administrative control and security
We’ve introduced the ability to add Entra ID Join Admin SIDs to the Local Admins Group, providing better permissions management and administrative control during migrations.
Better usability and efficiency
To streamline workflows, we now allow CSV downloads on Agent Details and Agent Logs, making it easier to analyse data. We have also removed the Users tab in the Migration Agent Batch screen to declutter the interface and improve navigation.
Get in touch with us today to see how PowerSyncPro Migration Agent can accelerate your transition with minimal disruption.
PowerSyncPro DirSync offers robust, bidirectional synchronisation between Active Directory and Entra ID, ensuring that all attributes remain consistent across systems. It simplifies the management of sync profiles, passwords, user attributes, and group memberships, allowing for greater flexibility and control.
Remote Proxy Agent now available
We have introduced a Remote Proxy Agent, allowing you to avoid requiring direct line of sight to a domain controller, you can now sync over the internet. The proxy agent is automatically discovered in Active Directory, and you can deploy multiple proxy agents for increased resilience and fault tolerance.
Break a sync relationship
You can now break the relationship between two objects directly from the Single Object Report. This feature enables you to force a re-match of a source object after modifying a sync profile or correcting an attribute issue in either the source or target object.
Refresh Schema from the Schedule
You can now right-click on a directory in the schedule to instantly trigger a refresh schema job, eliminating the need to navigate away from the schedule to perform this task.
Support for Entra ID extension attributes
Entra ID extension attributes are now fully supported in synchronisation profiles, allowing for more flexible data mapping. Additionally, all UI references to Azure AD have been updated to Entra ID to align with Microsoft’s naming conventions.
Updated the installer to support configuration for remote agents
The installer now supports configuration for remote agents, streamlining the setup process for users and enhancing flexibility when deploying agents across multiple locations.
Added a dependency on SQL service for co-hosting with PSP service
If co-hosting PowerSyncPro with an SQL server, the SQL service is now required to be running before the PSP service can start. This ensures a smoother integration and prevents service startup issues when both services are installed on the same server.
Added validation for remote password agent before enabling modern password sync
To ensure correct configuration, we have added a validation check that ensures a remote password agent is present before allowing modern password sync to be selected. This prevents potential errors and misconfigurations.
The ability to force targetAddress to NULL
We’ve introduced a feature that allows users to force the targetAddress to NULL, giving greater flexibility for edge cases where this might be required during directory synchronisation.
Allowed Simple and Complex expressions on the same mapping
You can now use both Simple and Complex expressions in the same mapping. These will run in the specified order, providing more flexibility and control over the sync process.
Set default invitation URL for guest account creation
When creating guest accounts via sync profiles, we’ve now set a default invitation URL, automating the process and reducing the manual effort required to send invitations.
Added warning banner when Bulk Enrolment Token is close to expiring
A new warning banner will appear when a Bulk Enrolment Token is near expiration. This helps prevent any disruptions or issues in the enrolment process, giving users a heads-up before expiration.
Adjusted server access logging
We’ve improved the access logging mechanism on the server to generate daily logs (up to 100 MB) and retain 10 logs. This helps keep the logging system efficient, organised, and more manageable.
Renamed Tenant Settings to Global Settings
The Tenant Settings menu has been renamed to Global Settings, and the user role of “tenant admin” is now called global admin. These changes align the terminology to be more intuitive, ensuring better clarity for users managing settings at a global level.
Added more Ignored Objects based on partner feedback
We’ve expanded the list of Ignored Objects based on feedback from our partners. This ensures that irrelevant or unnecessary objects are excluded from sync operations, reducing errors and improving sync performance.
Removed Map Rules and Match Rules from the top-level menu
Map Rules and Match Rules are now accessed only via Sync Profiles, streamlining the menu structure and reducing clutter. This simplifies navigation for users while keeping the necessary options available.
Tidied up the header area on the schedule page
We’ve reorganised and simplified the remote sync agent UI to improve usability and reduce clutter. This ensures that users can access the most important settings more easily. We’ve also cleaned up the header area on the schedule page, including moving Staging Mode to the Global Settings menu. This improves the page’s visual clarity and enhances the user experience by simplifying access to key features.
Get in touch with us today to see how PowerSyncPro Migration Agent can accelerate your transition with minimal disruption.
In conclusion, the version 3.1 Release marks a significant milestone in the evolution of PowerSyncPro, with substantial improvements that enhance both PowerSyncPro Migration Agent and PowerSyncPro DirSync.
This release has been meticulously designed based on user feedback to ensure smoother, faster, and more reliable performance, all while introducing powerful new features and critical system improvements.
With this release, you’ll be able to accelerate migrations, improve accuracy, and boost productivity. It’s time to take your directory and identity management to the next level.
Experience all the new capabilities of version 3.1. Contact us today to learn more about how PowerSyncPro can streamline your directory management.
