Windows 8 left a lot to be desired in the way of an efficient operating systems for businesses. Microsoft failed to meet many of the needs of businesses in its previous OS incarnation, meaning that today many businesses are still sitting with the 2009 Windows 7 firmly established on IT frameworks.
With the release of Windows 10 Enterprise, Microsoft has promised to focus on business consumers and their needs. It seems that, for the most part, Microsoft has opened its eyes up to how consumers interact with operating systems and has stepped into 2015.
However, how much has its latest operating system branched out and brought something new and unique to the market is still under debate.
Windows 10 Enterprise is aimed at unifying the user experience over a multitude of platforms and devices, creating a shared platform architecture that has not previously been seen in other versions of its OS. With features like Cortana, Enterprise Data Protection, two-fold authentication systems and improved control processes it would seem that Microsoft has upped its game somewhat.
Functionality and user interface
Having been criticised for its full screen start menu in Windows 8, Microsoft has brought back the smaller start screen and button seen in Windows 7 and beyond. For Windows 10 users this is a sigh of relief as desktop functionality improves.
Microsoft has also introduced voice control onto desktop in the form of their latest and greatest virtual assistant, Cortana. Combining elements of Google Now, Google Keep and Siri, Cortana has been hailed by Microsoft as the ultimate virtual assistant. While we can give Microsoft credit for providing its users with a virtual assistant that is always listening for the fateful Hello Cortana , how much this aids the running of businesses remains unseen.
Cortana can assist users with task reminders, calendar reminders, location information and travel updates. In addition, it can help you find files on your hard drive and does not interrupt normal mouse and keyboard function. Therefore allowing users to continue replying to an email whilst commanding Cortana to set a reminder.
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Reading this you may think that it is a great new function from Microsoft. We all have those days when you can just never get enough done and in the second it took you to remember that you need to phone Jim back from the IT department, you have forgotten only to remember when it’s too late. In those moments how could you not want an assistant that you could bark orders to But thinking practically, can you imagine an office where everyone is telling their computer what to do It creates the basis for a very distracting work environment.
Not only that but with Cortana always recording, waiting for that hello, unnecessary computer resources are constantly being used in the background and security concerns are raised when wondering what exactly happens to these recordings
When Windows 10 was released, many people had voiced their concerns around the fact that Microsoft is gathering information from apps like Cortana and its new Edge browser to improve user ability. Although Microsoft have stated that Enterprise is not defaulted to record information, for companies that deal with sensitive data in daily workloads this can be a valid worry.
Visit page two to find out about BYOD, Microsoft’s stance on future updates and why it pays to wait a little longer before acting.
BYOD control and data protection
The introduction of Microsofts Enterprise Data Protection model is a great positive for Windows 10 Enterprise, which has not been seen in previous versions of Windows. Giving companies greater protection over data can solve many of the BYOD issues that are faced in the current work environment of many businesses. Moreover, the separation of company and personal data on company devices is a very attractive feature for smaller to medium-sized businesses without the necessary BYOD policies already in place to protect company data.
IT departments will now be able to define the boundaries of company networks and apply data protection policies to data sourced from those networks. This protection will then be able to follow data wherever it goes. This will allow company data extra protection, which previous versions of Windows did not offer.
Security settings are also now able to be customised, allowing certain individuals to share company data with personal apps when needed. However, with the use of EDP and Air Watch, who opens certain data, where the data moves too and what is done with it is recorded for auditing purposes. Leaving no room for undetectable data leakages and the need for disaster recovery.
For an operating system, these are great steps in the right direction and Microsoft has pulled much needed company services under one umbrella which will have many long-term financial and time benefits, creating an environment where growing data can be managed and protected more efficiently. However these services are not anything particularly new or innovative in the way of data security and has been involved in the management of data through servers for many years.
What Windows 10 offers to those who already have such precautions in place is a platform from which server-type security settings can be achieved without a server, which seems rather redundant for business who already have the server infrastructure in place.
The last major OS update
Microsoft has promised that for users upgrading to Windows 10, it will be the last major operating system update that they will have to undergo. Windows 10 has been termed as more than an operating system, with Microsoft affectionately describing its latest OS as a service. All upcoming operating system updates will be carried out automatically and incrementally over time by Microsoft, easing up the burden of upgrading on companies.
Users today view their operating system as a part of their device and expect it to update and change during the life span of that device. Microsoft has always been one step behind other OS suppliers with its paid-for OS updates.
While this is a great benefit in the long run for businesses, it does not put each at a great advantage just yet. Yes it should be noted that Microsoft has most definitely brought its offerings up to date with 2015, however, it has not brought anything particularly innovative to the market. At least nothing great enough to force businesses to upgrade sooner rather than later.
Businesses should not rush into upgrading just yet. In its infancy stages, we expect Microsofts latest operating system offering to expand and bring more useful features into the market for businesses. However, for the time being it is business as usual.
Mike Hickson is manging director at LSA Systems.
