Technology Reseller - v16

technology reseller.co.uk 21 COVER STORY Naturally modern devices running the latest generation processors from Intel will perform significantly better than legacy devices. Windows 10 with 8th gen Intel Core vPro™ processors gives you features and benefits you won’t get with Windows 7. With Windows 10, companies will need to change the way they approach deploying updates. There are two release types: feature updates that add new functionality twice per year, and quality updates that provide security and reliability fixes at least once a month. Because feature updates are delivered more frequently than previous versions, changes will be in bite-sized chunks rather than all at once, thereby reducing the end user readiness time. Monthly updates in previous Windows versions were often overwhelming because of the sheer number of updates available each month. Many organisations selectively chose which updates they wanted to install and which they didn’t, and this created countless scenarios in which organisations deployed essential security updates but picked only a subset of non- security fixes. FEATURE AND QUALITY UPDATES In Windows 10, rather than receiving several updates each month and trying to figure out what the organisation needs, administrators will see one cumulative monthly update that supersedes the previous month’s update, containing both security and non-security fixes. This approach makes patching simpler and ensures that customers’ devices are more closely aligned with the testing done at Microsoft, reducing unexpected issues resulting from patching. To align with the new method of delivering feature updates and quality updates in Windows 10, Microsoft introduced the concept of servicing channels to allow customers to designate how frequently their individual devices are updated. For example, an organisation may have test devices that the IT department can update with new features as soon as possible, and then specialised devices that require a longer feature update cycle to ensure continuity. Windows 10 offers 3 servicing channels. The Windows Insider Programme provides organisations with the opportunity to test and provide feedback on features that will be shipped in the next feature update. The Semi-Annual Channel provides new functionality with twice-per-year feature update releases. Organisations can choose when to deploy updates from the Semi-Annual Channel. The Long Term Servicing Channel, which is designed to be used only for specialised devices, receives new feature releases every two to three years. With Windows 7 approaching its end of support, resellers should be urging their customers to migrate to Windows 10 with the opportunity to provide higher end devices that will last longer. Exertis has a wide portfolio of PC brands, all with Windows 10 installed, from Dell, Lenovo, Fujitsu, Acer, ASUS and Toshiba. Speak to your Exertis account manager for further information. WINDOWS 10 REQUIRES A DIFFERENT APPROACH Thegoodnewsmoving forward is that with the introductionofWindows 10, Microsoft announced a new procedure known as Windows-as-a- service replacing the traditional upgrade path for new versions. This provides for continuous upgrades and support. Businesses deploying Windows 10 will automatically remain up-to-date with the latest fixes and upgrades. Prior toWindows 10, Microsoft released new versions of Windows every few years, imposing a training burden on users because the feature revisions were often significant. That schedule also meant waiting long periods without new features which according to Microsoft is “a scenario that doesn’t work in today’s rapidly changing world, a world in which new security, management, and deployment capabilities are necessary to address challenges”. Now Windows 10 will deliver smaller feature updates twice per year, around March and September, to help address these issues. Deployment of Windows 10 is simpler than with previous versions of Windows and the process can be used to automatically preserve apps, settings and data. One of the biggest challenges for organisations when it comes to deploying a new version of Windows is compatibility testing. Whereas this was previously a concern for organisations upgrading to a new version of Windows, Windows 10 is compatible with most hardware and software capable of running on Windows 7 or later. Because of this high level of compatibility, an app testing process can be greatly simplified. Microsoft maintains that most Windows 7 compatible applications will run with Windows 10 straight out of the box and on most devices. In fact, the minimum hardware requirements to run Windows 10 are the same as those required for Windows 7. Most hardware drivers that functioned in Windows 8.1, Windows 8, or Windows 7 will continue to function in Windows 10.