- Topics Mentioned
- Operating System(s):
- Windows 8
In the previous article, Windows 8 Tablets: Challenges Microsoft Must Face Part 1, we discussed Microsoft’s history with tablets, and Apple’s appeal to the consumer market with the iPad that transitioned onto the enterprise market as a result. We also discussed Microsoft’s plan to license out Windows 8 for tablet manufacturers; and appeal to the corporate sector with software such as Microsoft Office. However, the constraints Microsoft is facing are also equally large. The software may not even be compatible across devices because apps will have to be created separately for devices using ARM chips. We also discussed another roadblock Microsoft will be facing: having to support a wide range of hardware (devices) with a single OS. In part II, we will focus on issues Microsoft has to tackle to specifically appeal to enterprise, like a great touch-friendly interface on tablets and security. We will also go into details about Microsoft’s approach of being a software company first and foremost unlike Apple.
The Metro User Interface
Many professionals, analysts and even CEOs have been impressed with how Microsoft has been developing Windows 8 from the ground up with tablets in mind; rather than shoehorning the OS onto tablets. The upcoming OS will support a wide range of hardware, but tablets are the devices Microsoft has been relying on to showcase it. For instance, during IDF 2011 tablets were shown running an early version of Windows 8, as reported by Notebook Check.
One of the main aspects of Windows 8 that makes the OS stand out from previous versions of Windows is the Metro user Interface (UI) that has been clearly designed with tablets in mind. Metro will allow users to select multiple apps side-by-side from tiles gathered on a screen. Users will be able to shift through them effortlessly.
According to AnAndTech, Metro will not be running off of a standard Windows desktop or in its background. Users will be able to choose to switch apps from a desktop interface or through Metro. As you may have guessed, tablet users will probably want to use the Metro approach while Mac users with a mouse will use the desktop interface. Another great aspect of Metro is that it will allow cloud storage across multiple devices.
The Software-Based Approach
In terms of the professional or enterprise market, these tablets will probably stand out and make the greatest splash. But is this the only market Microsoft is going after? Microsoft wants as much appeal for Windows 8 as possible and the company will have to find ways to cater to different audiences. Capturing the enterprise market fully first would be a strategy that would make a lot of sense for Microsoft. This is because users in enterprise would not have to feel Microsoft is making compromises for the OS (in order to make it more user friendly and less open). Microsoft could sell a lot more software in the enterprise market with tablets running Microsoft Office applications. However, Microsoft will have to remake these apps for tablets and they may be watered down or not the same apps as the x86 versions. Microsoft is a software company first and foremost, so they should create Office for tablets in one form or another. However, other companies, like Adobe, may not be as open to creating software just for tablets running Windows 8.
Microsoft will want to license out not only Windows 8 to manufacturers, but sell Windows-based applications to as many companies and industries as possible. This was a huge reason why the company captured the PC market in the enterprise sector over the Mac. Software became widespread and hard to turn away from once companies started relying on Windows apps. For Windows 8 tablets to take off in the professional, or enterprise field, Microsoft will have to make the same splash on tablets. Microsoft Office better be quite stable and usable when it comes to tablets.
Security
Besides standardized compatibility with Windows apps, security is another issue that Microsoft will have to tackle for Windows 8 to truly take off in enterprise. Security is a very important issue for many companies. It is an issue that has gained RIM support with their tablet, the Blackberry Playbook, over the iPad in certain industries. For instance, the U.S. federal government has embraced Blackberry Playbook Tablets due to its great security features, according to a RIM press release. In order for Microsoft to be able to truly stand out with tablets running on their platform, security issues like anti-malware software, privacy, and Virtual Private Networking (VPN) will have to be sorted out. Users of tablets in enterprise do not want privacy to be compromised within their company, nor do they want data to be stolen.
By offering a high level of VPN connection support, users in enterprise may want tablets just for e-mail and file storage. These Windows 8 Tablets could start capturing the enterprise market from then on. Security needs to be stressed by Microsoft with tablets and other computing systems. However, Windows 8 will be cross platform which mean that security on tablets should at least equal security on any other PC. This is good news for enterprise. Keep in mind that security could be a whole topic onto itself, so VPN is only one example of a security issue Microsoft could address (for tablets). Also, Apple does have VPN support for the iPad, so this wouldn’t be a particular issue that would proper Windows 8 ahead of iOS all by itself. Microsoft needs to tackle all security issues directly with Widows 8. Windows 8 needs to allow tablets to have a high-caliber Wi-Fi encryption, secure firewall settings, great anti-malware software, and other security methods (like VPN) in order for companies to function securely.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that Microsoft is tackling tablets head-on and making Windows 8 compatible with them as a primary goal. Whether it will be able to do this in an efficient manner, while also fully supporting PCs, remains to be seen. However, the enterprise market should be pleased that there will be portable devices available for employees running standardized Windows apps. The software incompatibility is the one aspect that Microsoft has to work out. It isn’t always easy to convince developers to create separate or new apps for a new tablet platform (new in the sense that Android and iOS are already established on tablets).
It will definitely be a lot harder for Microsoft to capture the mass consumer market — in the same way Apple has done — than the enterprise market. The enterprise market may be satisfied with Microsoft Office apps running on tablets and nothing else. The average user will want a sleek device that is effortless to use, provides a long battery life, and has plenty of apps. Windows 8 tablets may not have as much pull in this regard. Marketing and appeal also play a huge role — not just functionality or features — in the consumer market. Time will tell if Windows 8 tablets will overcome the hurdle that prevented previous Microsoft-based tablet offerings from taking off. We will find out when Windows 8 tablets start rolling out sometime in 2012.
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