Business users will find some important technologies MIA on WOA.
They say the devil is in the details, and there are some devilish details in the Windows 8 Consumer Preview Product Guide for Business document for IT users.
People have wondered if Windows on ARM (WOA) will be identical to the x86 version given its different usage model and hardware environment. For instance, there is no 64-bit ARM processor, so Microsoft can only provide a 32-bit OS with the old 4GB memory limit.
But on page six of the Product Guide, you get this revelation:
“ARM-based tablets running Windows 8 are ideal for workers who are constantly on the go and need a long-lasting battery. ARM-based tablets use less power than 32-bit and 64-bit devices and workers can rely on the extended uptime of these devices. Although the ARM- based version of Windows does not include the same manageability features that are in 32-bit and 64-bit versions, businesses can use these power-saving devices in unmanaged environments.”
Translation for “unmanaged environments?” That means no Active Directory domains, no AD policy integration, and no System Center integration. In other words, the very things admins would want. It’s what keeps many firms from deploying iPads internally – it sure as hell won’t support a Microsoft environment.
It’s not a total loss for the IT community. Windows 8 for ARM will have Remote Desktop, the ability to access HyperV devices and start Terminal Services sessions. But the omission of AD and SC is glaring.
So with this decision, IT firms will have to choose between two tablet platforms that both lack Active Directory and System Center support, except one has millions of users, is insanely popular, has hundreds of thousands of apps and a growing developer community, while the other runs Windows.
So, please, talk back, readers. Will this make a difference in your IT buying/deployment plans?
