I know it's a bit of a stretch to believe Surface itself can beat the iPad. But whether that device alone does it or a combination of Windows 8 tablets, in the end iPad's tablet markets hare will resemble the current Mac PC market share. There are three key things Windows 8 offers that I believe will cause a major shift in the tablet war.
Current Infrastructure
Despite the advent of BYOD policies, most IT departments are very dependent on Microsoft-based server solutions. Whether it be Active Directory, Microsoft Exchange, or Windows Server, many IT departments have begrudgingly allowed Apple iPads for lack of a suitable alternatives.
Most would prefer a yet-another-Microsoft solution just for compatibility and control reasons. Active directory allows you immense control over devices to the point you can control the desktop appearance. This type of control is just not available on the iPad.
Side-Loading
While a feature that will be limited to Pro versions due to compatibility issues, I cannot stress the importance of companies being able to install programs without having to go through the App Store. While Apple offers a $299 annual fee for side-loading custom apps, most companies buy bulk licenses of the programs they use. Very few companies go through the trouble of building in-house solutions.
Side-loading third-party apps is easier because they can keep track of how many copies they have deployed for license compliance. And companies that sell third-party apps would probably prefer you side-load them in order to avoid the 30% Apple tax for App Store downloads.
Profiles
One thing Apple refuses to adopt for the iPad is profiles. We have seen many third party attempts at creating profiles, but Apple refuses to add them. This, to me, is a major flaw in their strategy. IT professionals will be more apt to allow BYOD policies if they are allowed to designate a profile on your tablet for work use.
So an individual working at a company who owns a Surface could have two profiles: one that he uses for everyday use and one he uses at work only. The IT department would only allow access to their servers via the profile designed for work only while also restricting access to that profile while not on company servers, as an example. Compare that to iPad where all you cannot differentiate the connections. They are either all on or all off.
Of the three, I think the last one is the biggest. If you are a school and are issuing tablets to students (or adopting a BYOD policy), which would you prefer? Most would go with Windows 8 because of the ability to lock profiles down for school-only use while allowing open profiles for when students are not on the school network. Students would only be able to log into their school profile while at school restricting what apps they have available to them. This is not something that is possible with iPad.
Anyway, that's my two cents on the matter. I'm sure I could be wrong... but I doubt it.
Note: This is talking about Windows 8 in general. "How Surface Will Beat iPad..." is a better title than "How Most Windows 8 Tablets Will Beat iPad..." The Surface is just the best known one right now.
Current Infrastructure
Despite the advent of BYOD policies, most IT departments are very dependent on Microsoft-based server solutions. Whether it be Active Directory, Microsoft Exchange, or Windows Server, many IT departments have begrudgingly allowed Apple iPads for lack of a suitable alternatives.
Most would prefer a yet-another-Microsoft solution just for compatibility and control reasons. Active directory allows you immense control over devices to the point you can control the desktop appearance. This type of control is just not available on the iPad.
Side-Loading
While a feature that will be limited to Pro versions due to compatibility issues, I cannot stress the importance of companies being able to install programs without having to go through the App Store. While Apple offers a $299 annual fee for side-loading custom apps, most companies buy bulk licenses of the programs they use. Very few companies go through the trouble of building in-house solutions.
Side-loading third-party apps is easier because they can keep track of how many copies they have deployed for license compliance. And companies that sell third-party apps would probably prefer you side-load them in order to avoid the 30% Apple tax for App Store downloads.
Profiles
One thing Apple refuses to adopt for the iPad is profiles. We have seen many third party attempts at creating profiles, but Apple refuses to add them. This, to me, is a major flaw in their strategy. IT professionals will be more apt to allow BYOD policies if they are allowed to designate a profile on your tablet for work use.
So an individual working at a company who owns a Surface could have two profiles: one that he uses for everyday use and one he uses at work only. The IT department would only allow access to their servers via the profile designed for work only while also restricting access to that profile while not on company servers, as an example. Compare that to iPad where all you cannot differentiate the connections. They are either all on or all off.
Of the three, I think the last one is the biggest. If you are a school and are issuing tablets to students (or adopting a BYOD policy), which would you prefer? Most would go with Windows 8 because of the ability to lock profiles down for school-only use while allowing open profiles for when students are not on the school network. Students would only be able to log into their school profile while at school restricting what apps they have available to them. This is not something that is possible with iPad.
Anyway, that's my two cents on the matter. I'm sure I could be wrong... but I doubt it.
Note: This is talking about Windows 8 in general. "How Surface Will Beat iPad..." is a better title than "How Most Windows 8 Tablets Will Beat iPad..." The Surface is just the best known one right now.
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