Windows 9/10 may be the last piece of MS cloud puzzle

http://www.zdnet.com/article/windows...-cloud-puzzle/

Microsoft's Windows 10 has been portrayed as way to placate the enterprise,
create one platform for multiple screens and meld the interfaces of Windows 8,
which had a rocky launch, and Windows 7, a hit.

The reality is that Windows 10, which is expected to be the last of the
traditional big bang launches, is likely to complete Microsoft's transition from
a software licensing model to a cloud computing one.

Windows 10 will be built around continual upgrades and stable releases on a
schedule. There won't be a Windows 11, 12 and 13, but the platform will evolve
over time. In theory, enterprises will be able to consume innovation easier. For
Microsoft, enterprise customers will become subscribers.

It's hard to argue that Microsoft isn't a cloud company now. Azure, Office 365
and key enterprise apps are delivered as a service. Windows is the last big
chunk left under an enterprise licensing model.

Microsoft didn't outline pricing for Windows 10, but rest assured that there
will be a software-as-a-service cadence to it. Consider the following:
•For consumers, Windows 10 will have monthly updates with subscriptions similar
to Office 365. Businesses will have an option to skip monthly updates.
•Enterprise users will likely get Windows 10 updates quarterly or every six
months. The standard for SaaS vendors is twice a year updates with releases
coming with features that aren't activated. This schedule would enable
enterprises to validate the updates.
•Some enterprises may choose to roll out updates every two years, but still pay
subscriptions over a term.

In either case, enterprises will ultimately start paying for Windows by the user
on a subscription model even as Microsoft gives away the platform on smaller
screens.

The time frame for this cloud/subscription transition will depend on how fast
enterprises move from Windows 7. Windows 10 wouldn't arrive until 2015 and
enterprises on the bleeding edge would start deployments in 2016. Most companies
are going to go with a Windows XP scenario. Windows 7 can last for years and end
of life will occur in 2020.

In other words, the rush off of Windows XP will be emulated in 2020 with Windows
7. This scenario assumes few enterprises will bother with Windows 8.

No matter how enterprises move to Windows 10 — at a consumer pace, staying
current with a lag or sticking with Windows 7 as long as possible — in five to
six years Microsoft's flagship software will be under a cloud model. An added
bonus for Microsoft is that the Windows 10 launch and time frame for enterprises
provides a smooth transition from licensing to subscriptions and recurring
revenue.

On Sat, 6 Dec 2014 21:59:31 -0000, "BenSmith"
wrote:

http://www.zdnet.com/article/windows...-cloud-puzzle/

Microsoft's Windows 10 has been portrayed as way to placate the enterprise,
create one platform for multiple screens and meld the interfaces of Windows 8,
which had a rocky launch, and Windows 7, a hit.

The reality is that Windows 10, which is expected to be the last of the
traditional big bang launches, is likely to complete Microsoft's transition from
a software licensing model to a cloud computing one.

Windows 10 will be built around continual upgrades and stable releases on a
schedule. There won't be a Windows 11, 12 and 13, but the platform will evolve
over time. In theory, enterprises will be able to consume innovation easier. For
Microsoft, enterprise customers will become subscribers.

It's hard to argue that Microsoft isn't a cloud company now. Azure, Office 365
and key enterprise apps are delivered as a service. Windows is the last big
chunk left under an enterprise licensing model.

Microsoft didn't outline pricing for Windows 10, but rest assured that there
will be a software-as-a-service cadence to it. Consider the following:
•For consumers, Windows 10 will have monthly updates with subscriptions similar
to Office 365. Businesses will have an option to skip monthly updates.
•Enterprise users will likely get Windows 10 updates quarterly or every six
months. The standard for SaaS vendors is twice a year updates with releases
coming with features that aren't activated. This schedule would enable
enterprises to validate the updates.
•Some enterprises may choose to roll out updates every two years, but still pay
subscriptions over a term.

In either case, enterprises will ultimately start paying for Windows by the user
on a subscription model even as Microsoft gives away the platform on smaller
screens.

The time frame for this cloud/subscription transition will depend on how fast
enterprises move from Windows 7. Windows 10 wouldn't arrive until 2015 and
enterprises on the bleeding edge would start deployments in 2016. Most companies
are going to go with a Windows XP scenario. Windows 7 can last for years and end
of life will occur in 2020.

In other words, the rush off of Windows XP will be emulated in 2020 with Windows
7. This scenario assumes few enterprises will bother with Windows 8.

No matter how enterprises move to Windows 10 — at a consumer pace, staying
current with a lag or sticking with Windows 7 as long as possible — in five to
six years Microsoft's flagship software will be under a cloud model. An added
bonus for Microsoft is that the Windows 10 launch and time frame for enterprises
provides a smooth transition from licensing to subscriptions and recurring
revenue.

If the cloud is so good why isn't it what's the preferred way to run
smart phones?

"Ashton Crusher" escreveu na mensagem
...

On Sat, 6 Dec 2014 21:59:31 -0000, "BenSmith"
wrote:

http://www.zdnet.com/article/windows...-cloud-puzzle/

If the cloud is so good why isn't it what's the preferred way to run
smart phones?

I'm not a expert but I believe smartphones already have cloud storage services.