What Businesses Should Consider before Migrating to Windows 10

Microsoft Windows 8 was not a good product; it is even possible to say it was a disaster for the company. Now Microsoft has refocused on enterprise and released Windows 10, which they promise will restore their credibility with businesses.

Windows 10 is more than just an upgrade to an operating system which has been in existence for many years. It is intended to become the product for all end users; offering the same experience regardless of which device you access it from. Although Microsoft acknowledges that this edition needs to be directed at businesses it will still have a difficult time in convincing companies to upgrade their systems within the first year of release. Even the introduction of universal apps may not be enough to convince heads of business to make the change.

Why You Should Upgrade to Windows 10

  • It is not Windows 8; this may seem like an obvious statement but it is in fact important. Microsoft have based many of the features, an in particularly, the user interface, on Windows 7, which was universally well received. Even the Start button is returning and this will make it easier for many users to operate on the latest system.
  • Security is always one of the biggest issues to a personal or business user. The new management capabilities being introduced into Windows 10 will allow users to minimize the number of multiple passwords required when switching between devices. This was a particular issue when switching between desktop accounts and cloud services. Windows 10 manages to integrate every Intel security feature possible.
  • New operating systems and their upgrades always come at a cost. This is not in keeping with many businesses and consumer expectations. It is now common to purchase a system and expect to have upgrades included. Windows 10 is likely to be the first system which will include upgrades.
  • Windows 10 enterprise for businesses will be released shortly after the home and pro versions. Businesses will need to continue to pay for enterprise licenses and support but they will gain the choice of how and when to deploy any updates. This will allow businesses to keep critical systems running and upgrade them when it is convenient. This will initially create a challenge for IT departments but, ultimately, will ensure any businesses can stay up to date on their own terms.

The Challenges

As with any new or upgraded system there will be some challenges which will need to be navigated:

  • Migrating to a new operating system is never an easy task. Even if the operating system upgrade is free there are costs associated with the logistics and distribution of the system. The upheaval will incur costs to a business as will potentially need to upgrade other software or even some hardware. Training will also be required which can cost both time and money.
  • Support for Windows 7 will finish on the 14th January 2020. As it can take eighteen months for a successfully migration of operating systems, any upgrade must start by the middle of 2018 and preferably a little earlier. This is not as far away as it seems, particularly when you factor in the planning required before the upgrade.
  • Other Options are now available to the end user. Apple and Chromebooks are now viable alternatives to the Windows operating system, particularly in education and healthcare environments. Switching to one of these alternatives could involve some serious complications concerning integration.

In general Windows 10 should be a viable alternative to your current operating system, particularly if you are managing on Windows 8. The majority of the issues in Windows 8 have been resolved and the familiarity of Windows 7 has returned. Of course, if you are still running Windows 7 then Windows 10 offers little more than improved security, universal apps and support after 2020.

Companies should give Windows 10 a change. It is a lot easier to manage than Windows 8 and it comes with a wealth of upgrades and improvements. It runs faster than previous versions, which automatically boost productivity. However, before making the switch you might want to get properly informed. Windows 10 may seem a little tricky for those who are not familiar with it at all.

By Fredrick Cameron and Conosco.com!

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