Huge enterprise potential for Windows 8.1 seen

IT World Canada Staff

11 years ago

The notion that Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating systems is a consumer-focused OS may be coming to an end with the impending release of its latest version.

There’s actually a big opportunity for the latest version of Microsoft Corp.’s touch-enabled OS in enterprises, according to a report filed by Paolo Del Nibletto for our sister online technology publication Computer Dealer News.

Recent numbers from Microsoft’s app store indicate that there is a growing demand for business applications and that it is an area where Windows 8.1 app developers stand to make a lot of money.

“Developers want to make money and the way Microsoft does it its more flexible for monetizing their app,” said Tim O’Brien, general manager of the company’s developer and platform unit.

Microsoft app developers get 70 per cent share from all apps sold. Their share shoots up to 10 per cent when developers hit the $25,000 threshold.

There has been a four-fold increase in the number of apps submitted to the Microsoft app store. The store has recorded more than 100 million app downloads since January this year.

This means, O’Brien said that more Microsoft business apps are being developed.

Such apps include operations scheduling tools for British Telecom and the passenger app for the cabin crew of Emirates Airlines as two examples of line of business apps for Windows 8.

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Separately, CDN has a look inside the Win8.1 preview, which was released at the conference. It includes a number of enhancements including giving users access to all settings without going to Control Panel and letting users slide a finger across a keyboard space bar to view search engine suggestions