With all the doom and gloom surrounding Windows 8 sales, the truth is that there are many reasons why businesses in particular soon be excited about the new OS.
Yes, there are very real flaws with Windows 8. Looking past these issues, however, you will find quite a few reasons to upgrade to Windows 8 for your organization or small business.
Windows Compatibility is Key.
With Windows 8, you get an OS that is pretty much the same on your company’s tablets, desktops and phones. Having a device that has such a universal level of compatibility can make lives easier for your IT department and can save you money in the long run.
There is also tight Office integration found with Windows Phone 8, for companies that are considered adopting the mobile OS for their phone needs.
Windows 8 Compatibility with Windows 7.
Beyond Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 and Windows RT devices being highly compatible with one another, there is also Windows 7 compatibility. For companies that need mobile devices, you can easily make the switch to a Windows tablet while keeping your existing Windows 7 ecosystem in place.
Although there are big changes from Windows 7 to 8, they are similar enough that businesses can take the opportunity to have a “mixed ecosystem” using Windows 8 where it makes sense, and keeping Windows 7 for the rest of the businesses needs.
Legacy Support for mobile users.
If your company has need of a tablet solution for workers that have a mobile lifestyle, you have two options here. You can switch to an Android tablet or iPad, which will require you to custom create a business app or simply not use your own in-house software at all. You will also have to train on how to use the new OS.
With Windows 8, you might need to train on how to use the new UI, but for the desktop– everyone knows how to navigate it. Additionally, with a Windows 8 tablet, you can run those legacy office applications on the go and don’t have to worry about porting custom business software over.
Windows to Go.
If your business decides to go with Windows 8 Enterprise, you will have the power of Windows to Go. What is that? Basically it allows you to have a complete Windows 8 installation on a bootable USB drive or external HDD.
This is awesome for IT techies who need a way to utilize an installation on tons of different PCs… but it is also important for companies that encourage BYOD (bring your own device) work policies.
Why? Your employees can bring their PCs, but you can issue Window to Go drives that they are required to hook up to get into important company files and programs. Basically, you give them a bootable partition for getting work done that they can leave at the office, or take with them if you prefer.
Summing it Up…
There are many other reasons to consider Windows 8 in a business atmosphere such as overall faster booting and shutting down and much more. The bottom-line is that there is more to be gained than there is to be lost with an upgrade to Windows 8 in a business environment.
Is a business that you own or work for considering a switch to Windows 8? If they have already begun to make the switch, what do you think so far?
I’ve got a netbook with Win8. I really wanted to like it, but I don’t. I won’t be switching my desktop to Win8. Why not? Because it has a smartphone GUI. I hate touch screens and have ever since I tried out the Samsung touch screen on the smartphone I bought my stepmother a few years ago. I despise Android: bought a Nexus 7 two weeks ago and, after an hour of playing with it, gave it to my 16-year-old, who loves it. I’m a dedicated mouse & keyboard dinosaur because I use my PC to edit technical writing. I can’t do that on a smartphone.
I hate the flatness of Win8. I dislike having scroll right to see my apps. I dislike the idea of app-store apps. Everything being developed for today’s users is based on smartphones and social networking. I don’t have or want or need a smartphone, and I don’t do PC-based social networking — I have flesh-and-blood friends to talk to face-to-face & don’t like the exhibitionism inherent in social networking sites.