Internet Explorer Retains Advantages with Enterprise Apps
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5. Solutions still rely on it
As more Web-based solutions make their way to the enterprise,
Internet Explorer becomes even more important. In fact, several products
currently in use by companies rely upon Internet Explorer to work. That alone
makes Internet Explorer relevant. And it will likely ensure that Internet
Explorer 9 will be the browser of choice for companies going forward.
6. The competition can't cut it
Google's Chrome and Mozilla Firefox are outstanding browsers.
For consumers, they are arguably a better option than anything Microsoft puts
out. But the corporate world is a different space. And for most enterprise
customers, Chrome and Firefox can't match Internet Explorer 9 in compatibility
with enterprise applications, especially custom corporate apps. They don't
deliver the same experience. Worst of all, they don't adequately support current enterprise solutions.
7. The download manager is vastly improved
Microsoft made a major update to its download manager in
Internet Explorer 9. When a user attempts to download something from the Web, a
new "reputation" feature kicks in. It evaluates the source of the
download, and if it doesn't have a solid reputation, the warnings related to
the download are made abundantly clear. The idea is to limit the user's exposure to malicious files.
It's not a guaranteed security safeguard, but it should go a long way in making
IT managers feel more comfortable giving employees access to the browser.
8. It's an extension of Windows 7
Although Internet Explorer 9 won't work with Windows XP, it's
a vastly improved extension of Windows 7. In fact, users can "pin"
sites to their taskbar, giving them easy access to pages in the future. Those
pinned items also boast added functionality in some cases. It seems that
Microsoft is attempting to make its browser a viable component in Windows'
functionality. That's a good thing from an employee-productivity perspective.
9. Microsoft's cloud vision works for now
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer
has been saying for months that his company views the cloud differently than
some other firms. He believes that users are going to need a rich client,
like Internet Explorer 9, to interact with the cloud, rather than a thin
client. Some would disagree, but for now, Microsoft seems correct in that
assumption. Internet Explorer 9 will work exceptionally well for a user's cloud
services. It will provide the kind of functionality most companies are looking
for related to their cloud endeavors.
10. It's a familiar experience
In the end, Internet Explorer 9 isn't so drastically different
that users won't feel at home. In fact, the browser provides a familiar
experience that most enterprise employees would feel comfortable with. That's a
good thing. And it should help Internet Explorer 9 enjoy the kind of success
that Microsoft hopes it will achieve.
