Last month, Microsoft announced their latest business service, Windows 365. This is a completely cloud based PC service for businesses, to allow employees to access cloud PCs regardless of where they are. We’ve been taking a look at how it could help businesses.
What is Windows 365?
Windows 365 is a cloud PC service, which is being marketed to businesses and organisations as part of Windows 10 and Windows 11. With a cloud PC service, your laptop isn’t storing sensitive business data, programs or anything important related to your organisation. This is all on the cloud, which is then streamed to your device.
This is much more secure, because staff can access their work through a secure connection on the cloud. This also opens up the possibility to share devices, and removes any risk to the business if a device is lost or stolen. It also means employees can access all of their work, all of the time, regardless of the device that they’re accessing it from.
All this requires is a connection to the internet; and apparently, Microsoft are even working on a disconnected mode, so that in time an internet connection might not even be necessary.
How the pandemic changed working from home
Previously, working from home would be something that few businesses offered as standard. However, since the pandemic, businesses have been forced to figure out a way for their employees to work from home. As we are moving out of the pandemic, the huge question for businesses is, what kind of working approach do we want to take; back to the office, continue working from home or a hybrid approach?
This is a difficult question because employees want different things. Those who aren’t offered the ability to work from home may look for work elsewhere, and the same could be said for those who want to return to the office. As such, many businesses are looking at a hybrid approach; allowing employees to work from the office when they want to, and allowing those who want to continue working from home to do so as well.
However, the hybrid approach to working raises more questions, such as how can business ensure that the devices that staff are using are secure, and that employees are using secure networks? Can employees get their work laptops and devices to and from the office easily and securely, and if not, how can we make that process secure? This is where Windows 365 comes in.
Is Windows 365 right for my business?
One of the benefits of the cloud PC service in Windows 365 is that users familiar with Windows will already know how to use it. Employees who are already used to working on Windows shouldn’t find it difficult to learn how to use the cloud PC service, which does set this apart from third-party applications.
Another great feature of Windows 365 is its emphasis on security. With everyone’s data stored in the cloud, the point-of-access for this data shifts from the device the person is using to the cloud itself. Windows 365 uses multi-factor authentication, meaning you’ll need a password and another piece of information (like a number texted to your phone) to access your cloud PC.
If you’re thinking about a hybrid approach in returning to the office, or you think that it could be right for your business, give us a call to discuss Windows 365. Our IT support engineers will be happy to talk you through the cloud PC service, and identify if it could help your business.
Thinking about Windows 365? Call us on 0191 482 0444
