Microsoft Unveils New Windows as a Service Pricing Model

Is your business accustomed to paying for Windows operating systems up front? Microsoft’s latest “as a service” offering, Windows as a Service, might throw a wrench in your business model, but it could welcome shifts in your IT policy that ultimately allow for more flexibility on your part. Regardless, Windows as a Service provides businesses with the opportunity to reassess their approach to software solutions.

Microsoft has expressed interest in pursuing this approach with Windows in the past, but now that it’s become a reality, it’s important that your organization understands what it means for your operations. Windows joins the pantheon of Microsoft’s other “as a service” offerings, which include Office 365 and Azure. The move to an “as a service” offering makes sense for Microsoft, but some businesses have concerns over how monthly payments might affect their IT budget. In most cases, small monthly payments are more manageable than major up-front costs.

When you think about it, $7 per user (the current asking price for Windows as a Service) is much more manageable than investing hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars into an upgrade initiative. In particular, large businesses will feel the effects of such a major change, as they tend to have more users and will spend more on Windows as a Service.

Before you panic about this influx of new operational costs, however, you should know that this only applies to Windows 10 Enterprise edition. Windows 10 home and pro versions won’t be affected at all by this pricing model. In fact, Windows has gone on record to state that “this new subscription model is not associated with our current upgrade offering or applicable to the Windows 10 consumer edition.”

One of the biggest takeaways from this occurrence is the fact that, inevitably, Microsoft will cease supporting older versions of Windows, in favor of their more recent, more dynamic products. This will, in essence, force your business to adopt Windows 10 eventually. So, if and when you decide to download Windows 10, will you shell out some extra cash for the Enterprise edition?

“As a service” offerings are growing increasingly more popular, and will undoubtedly become the next big thing in computing. The reasoning for this is simple; businesses save money and avoid immense costs associated with immediate technology upgrades. In fact, we at Network Solutions Unlimited offer many of our technology solutions “as a service,” meaning that we can provide you quality IT support at a fraction of the cost, and on a per-month basis. Our services include, but aren’t limited to: network security, backup and disaster recovery, remote monitoring and maintenance, server hosting, and so much more--all offered as a service. You’ll find that this type of outsourced relationship can be just as beneficial as working directly with a vendor, if not more so.

To learn more, reach out to us at (217) 428-6449.