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How will Microsoft’s OS Change Affect You?

Microsoft split their Operating Systems (OS) mobile group into two. One focuses on consumer-grade devices. The other group focuses on enterprise devices.

How will this Affect You?

We’ve all seen the commercials about the new Windows 7. It has those nice features like quick links, quick buttons, easier navigation, ties into social networking, and so much more. Many want to know when we will see Windows 7 in industrial enterprise devices. The quick answer is we won’t. It will be for consumer-grade devices, like smart phones. For awhile now, Microsoft had two OS offerings for enterprise devices. There was Windows CE and Windows Mobile. Those are changing, too. Windows CE will now be called Windows Embedded Compact. Windows Mobile will split into Windows Embedded Handheld for the enterprise devices and Windows Phone for consumer-grade devices.

Change for the Better

This should actually end up being a good change. Microsoft can focus on business needs and solutions for the Windows Embedded operating systems. Developers’ tool kits can enhance the functions that businesses need. A good example of this is that smart phones have a very short lifecycle. The latest and greatest is changing weekly. Imagine managing hundreds of operating systems because device lifecycles are so short. This is an IT nightmare! In the enterprise space, devices are made to last years. This means one OS and one type of device to support. That is much easier to manage and control. We could compare the different features of these operating systems. But people can be rather passionate about their preferred operating system. So, to avoid stirring up a huge debate, I will wrap-up. If you would like to learn more about Microsoft Windows Embedded, click here.