Microsoft Aims Windows 8.1 at Financial Firms

 
 
By Pedro Hernandez  |  Posted 2013-09-16 Email Print this article Print
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The big money OS? Ahead of Windows 8.1's big launch next month, Microsoft is targeting post-PC financial professionals.

Money talks, and Microsoft is speaking volumes about its flagship operating system's place in today's financial services industry.

Mobility is foremost on Microsoft's agenda. While at the Sibos conference in Dubai, a gathering of financial companies and professionals, the software giant is "discussing how our technology can help financial institutions grow their businesses through mobile innovations for employees and customers," informed Erwin Visser, general manager of Windows Commercial, in a Sept. 16 blog post.

He added that his company is "working with financial institutions to help them embrace mobility to take advantage of the new business opportunities it offers" while hinting that finance and banking concerns don't have to sacrifice IT manageability to pursue those opportunities.

Microsoft's Windows 8 OS straddles the line between tablets and desktop PCs. A tiled interface (formerly Metro) offers users access to touch-optimized apps while the traditional Windows desktop—along with its well-established hooks into corporate IT management systems—allows users to tap into a vast business software library. It's this blend of new mobile-friendly capabilities with an IT-friendly legacy that Microsoft believes will resonate with financial firms.

Visser argued that Windows "is uniquely positioned to help companies utilize mobile technologies, so that they can do business in new ways, while also meeting the stringent IT standards for security, manageability and support that financial institutions require for their sensitive data." Microsoft is doubling down on those requirements with the upcoming Windows 8.1 update, which was designed "with enterprise needs in mind." Windows 8.1 is scheduled for an Oct. 17 release (Oct. 18 at retail).

Windows 8.1 Enterprise, currently in preview, is the latest in the company's efforts to deliver the most enterprise-ready version of Windows yet. With an eye toward bring-your-own-device (BYOD) and remote workers, Microsoft has baked in features that promote simplified connectivity beyond the corporate firewall. DirectAccess, for example, provides secure access to corporate applications without the need for a virtual private network (VPN).

In some cases, users can even carry their work PC on their key rings. Windows To Go Creator lets administrators "deploy" a full Windows desktop on a USB flash drive. When plugged into a Windows 8 PC, a corporate desktop image, along with the appropriate applications, settings and policies, is presented to the user. Other highlights include OpenMDM support, built-in Windows Defender malware protection and locked-down Start screen layouts.

Windows 8.1 also offers security-conscious financial "biometrics for user authentication, remote business data removal for BYOD devices, and encryption support on all Windows 8.1 devices," stated Visser.

The Windows 8 app business software ecosystem for tablets is also gathering steam. Microsoft offered up new apps that debuted at Sibos, including SunGard's Ambit Concierge, BoardLink from Thomson Reuters and Temenos' prototype Treasury Management Dashboard, as examples of big business apps that can work on Windows 8 slates.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

6 Comments for "Microsoft Aims Windows 8.1 at Financial Firms"

  • Fuzzy TheBear September 18, 2013 2:03 am

    Frankly , if you want your private financial data and moves on the markets private , this is not an option. MS sells the vulnerabilities to their OS's ( known )and only patches when it does not interfere with the " outfits " ability to exploit your device. If they can and do it , so can others.There's no way using Microsoft can be seriously considered by professionals who do stuff that is private and that matters. It's sad , but it's been suspected a long time. MS,why you got into bed with the enemy ? No one doing stuff that matters with their devices can trust you now.

  • Stoops September 18, 2013 1:28 am

    Security, c00l, so how about the start button?

  • DELTA September 17, 2013 10:00 pm

    @MSSC: Most of the financial firms will be migrating to Win 7 only now - so its ludicrous to say that "Win 8.0 was a complete disaster for Financial Firms" - just shows you don't know what you are talking about. Enterprises take migration very very slow (it helps that they have contracts to back up the old version much farther than the general masses) And about marketing - they are starting for migration which is years away which is probably a good strategy so firms can evaluate and request features if they need any.

  • wonder September 17, 2013 8:17 pm

    Microsoft still does not acknowledge its real customers and keeps catering to business and financial firms that will be the last ones to buy a Microsoft product. Microsoft I could help get back on top and rule the world again all you got to do is fix your desktop interface. Windows 8 is for Tablets and cell phones not the desktop. And realize the desktop is not going away anytime soon

  • MSSC September 17, 2013 11:13 am

    Win 8.0 was a complete disaster with the Financial Firms. There is no way they want to go a second time around. This is just more Microsoft Marketing Garbage

    • MrScott September 17, 2013 9:11 pm

      Companies are not stupid. They see the flop Windows 8.0 was with the general public. 8.1 is not out yet and people still won't buy it but would rather see what Windows 9 looks and acts like. Companies will wait some time and test it like what was never done before with Windows before they roll it out within the company. Windows 9 will be out next year or next so companies might was well wait till then.

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