Software giant Microsoft is all set to launch its much awaited operating software Windows 10 on July 29 at Pragati Maidan in India.
Ahead of this mega launch, Channeltimes reached out to its partners to understand the exuberance and excitement before the launch. With new OS, Microsoft is aiming to revive its fortune. The new OS to be deployed on the cloud, termed as “Windows as a service”, will offer free upgrades to users of Windows 7 and 8.1. The shift from a hard-core device company to services has been a landmark change for the tech major.
In an exclusive interaction with two large partners of Microsoft– Mumbai-based Suresh Ramani of TechGyan and Ahmadabad-based Kartik Shah of Bitscape Infotech– talked about their expectations and readiness for the new OS. Excerpts.
CT: How is your company gearing up with the launch of Windows 10, what kind of excitement do you see among your customers
Suresh Ramani: We are gearing up at multiple levels. 1) At the Technical level, our teams have setup Windows 10 and are testing the same. We are also a part of Windows Insider Program where we have been getting updates on regular basis on Windows 10 and we have been sharing our inputs too. At Customer awareness level, we have been sending info to our customers via our fortnightly Newsletter “TechGyan Times” . We have also been updating the Facebook Page of our Company with Windows 10 related news. We also have a landing page on our Website on Windows which we keep populating with relevant info on Windows 10.
http://www.techgyan.com/Pages/MSWindows.aspx and thirdly, we are also exploring the possibility of doing in-person events on Windows 10 for Customers. In terms of customer excitement, we have begun to get inquiries on issues like compatibility, hardware requirements, etc. So there is a build up for sure.
Kartik Shah: Windows 10 is the most awaited Windows OS for us and our customers. Internally and externally we are driving this via some awareness campaigns via email to our customers and calling campaign. Since it will be compatible with most of the hardware available today it is easy to upgrade for many. What more, it is a FREE upgrade to existing Windows 7 and Windows 8 Pro customers.
CT: What are the key features you think would help customers to migrate to Windows 10
Suresh Ramani: Edge browser, which is touted as fastest and safest browser, Universal App Store which will ensure that the App will work on any device, be it phone, or tablet or laptop or PC or large Screen like Surface Hub, Task View allows you to use Multiple Desktops efficiently including Snap Assist will allow user to snap upto 4 apps in one screen, Pin Search Bar to Task Bar for easier search,Virtual Desktop Support is built in, Start Button returns and is now more enhanced, Windows Hello , a new way to login without using password.
Additional hardware Cortana, a digital Personal Assistant, which can enhance personal productivity and Continuum will allow users to switch seamlessly from PC to Tablet mode. And many more…..
Kartik Shah: Some most awaited features for me are Cortana and Hololens (may not be available to specific geographies). However on business side the improved start menu, improved windows explorer and snap assist tool.
CT: How Windows 10 will change the dynamics of enterprise and mobile workforce
Suresh Ramani: For the Enterprise, Windows 10 comes bundled with many features for productivity and security. Some of these have been discussed above like Universal App Store, Task View, Snap Assist, Pin Search Bar, Virtual Desktop, etc. But what is most exciting from the enterprise perspective is to get specific apps developed for the platform and be assured that these will work across all platforms– be it PC or Tablet or Phone. This is potentially a huge benefit. Another key benefit is that enterprises will be able to manage the mobile devices much better due to the built-in support for management.
For the mobile workforce, the ability to have a common set of services running on all devices is a great productivity booster. Now the Mobile Worker could be working on an app on his mobile. He can seamlessly move to PC and then to his Tablet. His User Experience in terms of the App and Data will be the same. This is an unmatched benefit.
Kartik Shah: It will have universal apps concept and with enterprise grade controls for any device it runs on. It will have customized store for organizations and protection for corporate data. Mobile Device Management will be able to be used for all devices.
CT: How will Windows 10 change the position of Windows as a Dervice
Suresh Ramani: As per my current understanding, there will be 3 methods of getting updates. Currently we have only Windows updates. The proposed 3 methods will be
Current Branch: This will automatically apply the updates as soon as they are available.
Current Branch for Business: Some degree of customization is possible as to when the updates can be applied.
Long Term Service Branch: This can be highly customized. An organization can specify for example that only security updates should be applied.
So what we see is that Windows-as-a-Service does not mean that it will be on subscription. Just that the new features and fixes will come on regular basis.
Kartik Shah: As announced this is going to be the last Windows software that Microsoft is releasing perpetually as client operating system. Windows-as-a-service will then address today’s need where continued features and fast paced industry changes can be pushed. i.e. in the past it was every few months or yearly a major update was released, but as the industry is changing daily with new innovation, the enterprises need quick adoption of technologies that are important to them.
CT: Being a Microsoft partner, what are the sales and new business avenues do you expect with Windows 10
Suresh Ramani: The opportunities will be available in multiple ways: Anti piracy will remain an important channel. With Universal App Store, there may be an opportunity in App Selling and setup. Since there will be constant roll out of features, there exists an opportunity in having Managed Services for Customers where we take responsibility for regular updates across all devices.
Kartik Shah: We see more cloud enabled attached services in our business revenues as this will help customers understand the value of subscription. The empowerment of Windows 10 will help us offer so much services and solutions which will not only grow our business but also help us improve our bottomline. Again with this move, we anticipate it to be based on customer demand rather than just transactional thing.
CT: What are the initial challenges do you see with adoption of Windows 10?
Suresh Ramani: The biggest challenge is the negative perception among a section of Technology authors who are fanboys of Apple and Google. These authors pen multiple articles which have created a negative image for Windows 10. So countering that negative perception is the biggest challenge. And Microsoft needs to work to ensure that there is a perception that it’s cool to use Windows 10 .
Kartik Shah: As such at the face I don’t see any, but user adoption and helping users understand the value proposition will have some challenges and may require a lot of end consumer awareness marketing as well as business user marketing and reachout. Primarily in India most of our customer business users are running on Win XP and Win 7. For those on Windows 8, it is easy for us comparatively.
CT: What are your expectations with the Windows 10 adoption? Will it get higher acceptance compared to Windows 8?
Suresh Ramani: I am willing to bet with anyone that Windows 10 will be the most used version of Windows within 3 years. In fact the Microsoft Leadership Team has articulated a vision of One Billion Devices running Windows 10 in 3 years. I believe that the target will be achieved before the deadline.
Kartik Shah: Absolutely Yes. With Start menu and security features it is to be a hit in corporate customers and with exciting features at consumer side it will be a hit in consumers space too.
CT: What are the channel related activities Microsoft is currently doing
Suresh Ramani: The Training calendar has already been released by Microsoft and there is a combination of Online and Offline Training for Technical Teams and Sales Team scheduled over next few months.
Kartik Shah: There is a lot of awareness and change notification being pushed by Microsoft around this.
CT: How can Windows 10 be a big bet for its partners business
Suresh Ramani: We need to be realistic. A few years back, the release of new version of Windows was the ONLY thing that mattered. Times have changed. Today there is a co –existence of Windows with Apple iOS and Google Android. This situation will not change. However partners should realize that there is a lot of services which can be delivered with Windows and which can be charged. Windows 10 comes loaded with features around Productivity, Security, Cloud, Mobility. And Windows is still the King of Enterprises and Business User and will remain so. So partners need to develop their expertise around the key pillars and go to Business Users. A lot will depend on how partners execute. As a company TechGyan is all geared up and we have our plans in place and are super excited at the prospect of offering Windows 10 to our Customers.
Kartik Shah: I don’t think it is a bet, I believe in it and hope most partners, who have some services or packaged framework around Microsoft technologies.