21/08/2021
An interesting article written by Peter Griffin on Windows 365 - Microsoft PC.
As Microsoft moves toward “everything cloud”, their extension to the smorgasbord of Microsoft 365 offerings leads them into providing a pre-bundled cloud-based Microsoft PC.
The solution certainly simplifies the ability for the Tier 1 and Tier 2 ICT providers to enter the virtual desktop offerings with close to NIL financial risk. It addresses current frustration points encountered around integrating different operating system platforms and the ongoing battle with keeping hardware and operating system platforms up to current specifications. And during these troubling covid times where we are forced to work remotely, the ability to reconnect your workforce is based on your home computer having an internet connection.
As stated in the article, the issue with adopting this technology is cost. This was an issue we encountered as we entered the hosted services model where the cost point was too expensive for most SME businesses. The end result is the creation of the hybrid model where we run a mixture of on-premise and cloud-based solutions.
Microsoft will need to look at their pricing structure if the SME industry are to head toward this service. I would hope that they will decrease the cost for the Microsoft PC bundled solutions but also provide additional discounts when incorporating other Microsoft 365 solutions. In addition, if we could customise the build of the Microsoft PC solutions to what we are able to provide in the virtualised desktop market, then the solution may successfully make it across the Financial Controllers desktop.
Windows 365 takes the hassle out of provisioning computers for remote workforces, but its monthly subscription fees may give some IT managers pause for thought.
