Elly Yates-Roberts |
Microsoft has announced the launch of Windows 365, a service that will bring Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems to the cloud. Users can access their personalised PC experiences on any device, which Microsoft says could give businesses a simple, secure and powerful strategy for hybrid working.
Windows 365 stores information in the cloud, not on the device, giving users a more secure and productive experience. However, the service leverages the power of both the cloud and the device in a new ‘hybrid personal computing’ category called Cloud PC, delivering a full, personalised Windows experience.
“With Windows 365, we’re creating a new category: the Cloud PC,” said Satya Nadella, chairman and CEO of Microsoft at the Microsoft Inspire 2021 event that is taking place on 14-15 July. “Just like applications were brought to the cloud with SaaS, we are now bringing the operating system to the cloud, providing organisations with greater flexibility and a secure way to empower their workforce to be more productive and connected, regardless of location.”
According to Microsoft, Windows 365 will help business owners address many of the challenges they faced before the pandemic, and those created by it.
“Hybrid work has fundamentally changed the role of technology in organisations today,” said Jared Spataro, corporate vice president of Microsoft 365. “With workforces more disparate than ever before, organisations need a new way to deliver a great productivity experience with increased versatility, simplicity and security. Cloud PC is an exciting new category of hybrid personal computing that turns any device into a personalised, productive and secure digital workspace. Today’s announcement of Windows 365 is just the beginning of what will be possible as we blur the lines between the device and the cloud.”
Microsoft says that the new cloud service will also continue to allow partners to build innovative, industry-specific solutions. Systems integrations and managed service providers can help businesses make the most of their Windows estate, while independent software vendors can build Windows apps in the cloud to drive digital transformation among their customers.
“To be their best in a new world of work, employees need workplace technology that’s familiar, easy to use, secure and always available,” said Veit Siegenheim, global modern workplace lead at Avanade. “With Windows 365, Microsoft is capitalising on the power of the cloud to empower productivity anywhere, across any device and elevate the workplace experience.”
Windows 365 will be generally available from 2 August 2021.