Summary: Windows 8 isn't just a consumer operating system. What does the Enterprise version, which is available to companies with Software Assurance subscriptions, have to offer?
Much of the attention on Ms windows 8 has, quite appropriately, been focused on its part as a consumer-oriented os. But that's not the whole tale — not by a lengthy way. Although the majority of house customers still run Windows OS, its real heartland is the company, where pc and hosting server operating-system perform together in very different methods from in the property.
Windows 8 brings a overview of the selection, with less editions and less methods of buying them. Now there are only three main editions: Ms windows 8, Ms windows 8 Pro and Ms windows 8 Enterprise, plus a 4th Ms windows RT version for ARM gadgets. Pro and Enterprise can join Active Listing websites, so they'll be the most likely editions for company customers — and as Enterprise is arranged for companies with Application Confidence subscribers, it's the version that will eventually appear on most company personal computers.
Upgrade issues :
Upgrading to Ms windows 8 Enterprise from Ms windows seven isn't as simple as it could be because certification limitations mean you can only update from Ms windows seven Pro and Ms windows seven Enterprise. We expect most Ms windows 8 sets up to be fresh program refreshes, which will easily simplify things, but IT divisions will need to have the facilities in place to deal with volume certification important factors (test sets up may need to use a command-line system to set up licences).
As part of our assessments we set up Ms windows 8 Enterprise on a variety of gadgets, along with a recent desktop PC with multiple monitors, a pair of older laptops and a recent slate tablet. All ran the OS easily, using the 64-bit version to take full advantage of modern PC hardware.
Startup up into Ms windows 8, you're decreased into the new Begin display. Windows new UI is fresh and fast, and simple to use with mouse and key pad as well as on a touchscreen display screen system. There's an actual convenience to the new UI that's possible to mix up with 'dumbing down', but it does make complicated projects simple once you learn that the whole display is a look for UI, and can be sailed by entering. The included PowerShell 3.0 also makes it much simpler for staff to perform with users' PCs wherever they may be.
The Ms windows Shop is starting to fill up with new programs designed for the new UI, but for now most of your time will be spent on the familiar pc — with the new Begin display performing as a look for system and program launcher. Some user training may be necessary, especially around the use of key pad strategies, but the variations from earlier editions of Ms windows are unlikely to cause interruption — if only because line-of-business programs are likely to remain on the pc.
The Ms windows Shop is starting to fill up with new programs designed for the new UI, but for now most of your time will be spent on the familiar pc — with the new Begin display performing as a look for system and program launcher. Some user training may be necessary, especially around the use of key pad strategies, but the variations from earlier editions of Ms windows are unlikely to cause interruption — if only because line-of-business programs are likely to remain on the pc.
In the pc, Ms windows 8 is like Ms windows seven — just quicker and more power-efficient (our analyze notebooks have obtained an extra hour of battery on average after improving with Ms windows 8). In nearly a year of examining Ms windows 8 we've only found a couple of programs that didn't perform with the OS — and those that didn't had dependencies on particular components APIs that have been deprecated.
Businesses investing in next-generation programs using Windows new WinRT (Windows Runtime) development model will be able to provide commercially prepared programs to Ms windows 8 Enterprise techniques without going through the Ms windows Shop, provided that they are qualified. Managers can also use team plan to management entry to the Shop, at an individual, part or team level. The Applocker program whitelisting system can also be used to management which programs are set up from the Shop, although there's no way to management how program up-dates are used — you can only management the initial set up.
While the individual editions of Ms windows 8 use Windows SkyDrive to deal with information file and configurations synchronisation across all a customer's PCs, you'll be able to set team guidelines to quit this, and to use the information file synchronisation functions in the future SharePoint 2013 launch. Ms windows Server 2012's Powerful Accessibility Control information file and directory protection functions will also help quit customers from switching information to house PCs via SkyDrive.
Enterprise-specific functions :
Much of what's in Ms windows 8 Enterprise is in the Pro launch — and that contains important functions like Hyper-V virtualisation, BitLocker hard drive security and the new File History (which can be designed to perform with program stocks as well as with local hard drive storage). However, Enterprise does include functions that make it simpler to use Ms windows 8 on a company program.
If you want to take advantage of the recently simple Direct Accessibility resources in Ms windows Server 2012, which help you to hook up directly and safely to business resources without demanding a VPN, then you're going to need Ms windows 8 Enterprise. The same is true of the Division Storage cache functions that convert remote office downloading of information files and up-dates into a peer-to-peer program for quicker entry to information. If you're looking at using VDI, Ms windows 8 Enterprise can handle RemoteFX for desktop-like design and for enhanced system incorporation — such as touch assistance.
Windows To Go :
Windows 8 Enterprise also contains the resources needed to make a Ms windows To Go USB generate. A fully-managed convenient version of Ms windows, Ms windows To Go uses standard Ms windows picture information files to make a bootable version of Ms windows 8 — so if you're allowing your customers to use Ms windows To Go, you'll need to make the appropriate picture information files and make them available for use. Users will also need USB 3.0 pushes (which perform in USB 2.0 ports), as these have quicker display memory snacks with better unique access performance than USB 2.0 pushes. We'd also recommend using a generate with at least 32GB of space.
Businesses investing in next-generation programs using Windows new WinRT (Windows Runtime) development model will be able to provide commercially prepared programs to Ms windows 8 Enterprise techniques without going through the Ms windows Shop, provided that they are qualified. Managers can also use team plan to management entry to the Shop, at an individual, part or team level. The Applocker program whitelisting system can also be used to management which programs are set up from the Shop, although there's no way to management how program up-dates are used — you can only management the initial set up.
While the individual editions of Ms windows 8 use Windows SkyDrive to deal with information file and configurations synchronisation across all a customer's PCs, you'll be able to set team guidelines to quit this, and to use the information file synchronisation functions in the future SharePoint 2013 launch. Ms windows Server 2012's Powerful Accessibility Control information file and directory protection functions will also help quit customers from switching information to house PCs via SkyDrive.
Enterprise-specific functions :
Much of what's in Ms windows 8 Enterprise is in the Pro launch — and that contains important functions like Hyper-V virtualisation, BitLocker hard drive security and the new File History (which can be designed to perform with program stocks as well as with local hard drive storage). However, Enterprise does include functions that make it simpler to use Ms windows 8 on a company program.
If you want to take advantage of the recently simple Direct Accessibility resources in Ms windows Server 2012, which help you to hook up directly and safely to business resources without demanding a VPN, then you're going to need Ms windows 8 Enterprise. The same is true of the Division Storage cache functions that convert remote office downloading of information files and up-dates into a peer-to-peer program for quicker entry to information. If you're looking at using VDI, Ms windows 8 Enterprise can handle RemoteFX for desktop-like design and for enhanced system incorporation — such as touch assistance.
Windows To Go :
Windows 8 Enterprise also contains the resources needed to make a Ms windows To Go USB generate. A fully-managed convenient version of Ms windows, Ms windows To Go uses standard Ms windows picture information files to make a bootable version of Ms windows 8 — so if you're allowing your customers to use Ms windows To Go, you'll need to make the appropriate picture information files and make them available for use. Users will also need USB 3.0 pushes (which perform in USB 2.0 ports), as these have quicker display memory snacks with better unique access performance than USB 2.0 pushes. We'd also recommend using a generate with at least 32GB of space.
Building a Ms windows To Go picture is straightforward, with a simple master managing the process. Connect in an appropriate USB memory stick, discover a implementation share, and click 'go' (remembering to convert on the built-in hard drive encryption). It takes about 15 minutes to apply the set up picture to a generate. You'll need to use the Ms Deployment Tool set solution gas to make custom pictures if you want to package applications in a Ms windows To Go set up. Users are clogged from using the Ms windows Shop on Ms windows To Go sets up, although there is the option to use Group Policy to enable access — for individuals or for an entire company.
One big difference between the Pro and Enterprise editions is assistance for Press Center. Ms has made Press Center a individual obtain, but it's not reinforced on Ms windows 8 Enterprise — and any DVD or Blu-ray play-back will require third-party resources. It's unlikely to be an issue for company sets up, but companies that use Ms windows PCs as media-authoring and play-back resources might discover it simpler to use Ms windows 8 Pro for techniques in those projects.
With RTM code for Ms windows 8 Enterprise currently available on both TechNet and MSDN, IT professionals wanting to assess how the new Ms windows works in their systems can obtain it and give it a try. With enhanced company functions, it's an os update that, together with Ms windows Server 2012, will help get your company architectures ready for the next creation of software and components — especially the reasoning.
One big difference between the Pro and Enterprise editions is assistance for Press Center. Ms has made Press Center a individual obtain, but it's not reinforced on Ms windows 8 Enterprise — and any DVD or Blu-ray play-back will require third-party resources. It's unlikely to be an issue for company sets up, but companies that use Ms windows PCs as media-authoring and play-back resources might discover it simpler to use Ms windows 8 Pro for techniques in those projects.
With RTM code for Ms windows 8 Enterprise currently available on both TechNet and MSDN, IT professionals wanting to assess how the new Ms windows works in their systems can obtain it and give it a try. With enhanced company functions, it's an os update that, together with Ms windows Server 2012, will help get your company architectures ready for the next creation of software and components — especially the reasoning.
