Is Windows Mobile Dead for Enterprise App Development?

The release of Windows 10 on July 29 across 90 countries and in over 100 languages has been highly anticipated by both consumers and enterprises that will be able to download an array of editions of Windows 10 that have been catered to the needs of different devices while streamlining its look and feel, promising to be on over 1 billion devices by 2018. With its seamless implementation of an interoperable API stack that enables developers to deploy their Android and iOS applications to the Universal Windows Platform, the new Microsoft Edgeweb browser, and new security layer coined as Windows Hello, it seems that Microsoft’s Windows 10 is poised for success.

Microsoft’s goal is to make web application development faster and easier in order to bring more developers and users to their side of the market share, currently at 2.6%. Microsoft has already released .NET Core as open-source in an effort to encourage sharing of documentation, libraries, and bug fixes, which Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella endorses, anticipating a growth in “differentiated capabilities such as identity management, rich data management, machine learning and advanced analytics.” It is well known that the lack of software and applications offered in the Windows store that are enjoyed by Android and iOS users coupled with low Nokia phone sales have been the driving force behind the low adoption rate of Windows Mobile OS, but Nadella has already begun reformation of their product stack with a goal of tailoring their approach to the needs of their users, stating that Microsoft “will be insatiable in our desire to learn from the outside and bring that knowledge into Microsoft, while still innovating to surprise and delight.”

For small businesses and enterprises, Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise will be reserved for industry devices from retail POS (point of sale) devices like registers and handheld terminals, RFIDs, to robots in industrial manufacturing sectors and bank ATMs-all made possible through Windows 10 IoT Core. These functionalities allow innovations like touch or pen input, 2-in-1 tablets and devices, and hardware-based security. In-place upgrade processes allow enterprises that are currently running Windows 7 and later to migrate their network systems to Windows 10 without reformatting, which saves time while mitigating loss of data, and the Windows 10 user interface will remain similar to Windows 7 to allow seamless integration without loss of productivity from end users. For Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise, an extra layer of security will be offered through Secure Boot and Device Guard to enforce identity and data protection, device security, and minimize vulnerabilities that can be exploited by incoming malware. Microsoft clearly realizes the success of Windows 7 among enterprises and the increasing number of vulnerabilities that enterprises unknowingly leave exposed although they are running third-party security solutions, and Microsoft plans to offer the level of protection needed today and for the future through Windows 10 Enterprise.

As a Microsoft Partner, we at Ayoka provide custom software development for enterprise that span across web and mobile that are optimized to function across platforms through robust database development and integration services with .NET and other open-source APIs. Ayoka Systems is a Made in USA custom software development company, with our employees working together here in Arlington, TX to collaborate with our customers. Call us today at 817-210-4042.