Without touchscreen, Windows 8 offers few advantages, poses a disruptive learning curve
Businesses need not rush out to upgrade to Windows 8 when it is released because deployed on desktops without touchscreen capabilities it offers few advantages over Windows 7.
The Metro user interface in Windows 8 Consumer Preview is navigable with mouse and keyboard, but poses a learning curve that end users will find annoying and disruptive without giving real advantages.
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Windows 8 also supports a full traditional desktop that typical corporate users area already familiar with if they use Windows 7, but IT departments will have trouble justifying the time and expense of an upgrade in the absence of real advantages.
With the touchscreen, the operating system arguably affords an environment that’s intuitive enough and fun enough to excite end user interest and indulgence until working with it becomes routine. And the interface may even be quick enough to boost productivity.
But that day is a way off.
Initially, the attraction of Windows 8 will be in consumer tablets that will work their way into business use. IT departments will be faced with how to deal with these personal devices and will eventually figure out how to secure them on the network, much the same way they have with other personal devices such as smartphones and iPads.
The advantage Windows 8 will offer is that the Metro interface will span all device screens – phones, tablets, desktops, laptops – which will make it, potentially, easier for all users to engage once they become familiar with it.
There are other advantages which Microsoft itself outlines in a document touting why Windows 8 is good for businesses. These include mobility, hardware-based security and remote-access features that are attractive but hardly add up to a reason to invest in the switchover.
For example, Windows To Go is technology that puts a Windows 8 desktop image on a USB drive that can be plugged into any machine and be used as an independent corporate desktop that establishes two-way secure connections with headquarters. Despite its usefulness that’s not a must have.
The best way for businesses to approach Windows 8 is to allow it to approach them via the bring-your-own-device route. Let demand for it swell up rather than impose it on workers.
It’s hard to say when this groundswell might happen, but given that Windows 8 won’t be available until close to the end of the year and the eventual popularity of tablets outfitted with Windows on ARM is just speculation, it likely won’t be until sometime in 2013, if then.
Meanwhile IT leaders should try out the new operating system with Windows 8 devices designed for mobile workers and that can be formally supported and managed. They should look into various form factors including tablets, laptops and ultrabooks to discover which might suit the needs of their organization. Then they should decide if and how Windows 8 fits into their busienss strategy.
