Microsoft has packed Windows 8 full of features that will appeal to businesses, from workflow and usability enhancements to new management tools and security innovations. Here are ten Windows 8 features that could help improve your business.

1. 10 Windows 8
features that could
help improve your
business

2. Page 2 10 Windows 8 features that could help improve your business
A look at Windows 8 business features that will persuade companies to upgrade
Microsoft has packed Windows 8 full of features that
will appeal to businesses, from workflow and usability
enhancements to new management tools and security
innovations. Here are ten Windows 8 features that could help
improve your business.
1. End-to-end operating system
Windows 8 runs on desktop PCs, notebooks, tablets
and phones, enabling businesses to standardise on a single
operating platform across the organisation, making IT
management simpler.
But that’s not all. IT functions such as application
integration, software patching and updating, asset control,
backup and restore, and application lifecycle management
all become easier when you are working with one operating
environment.
Furthermore, businesses that adopt 64-bit Windows 8
desktops, notebooks and tablets can standardise on 64-bit
images and 64-bit apps - right across the business. With 64-bit
computing, the processor can address more RAM which makes
applications perform at higher levels. This is particularly useful
for processor-intensive applications like high-definition video
and high-volume data processing, although any app optimised
for 64bit will perform better than its 32bit counterpart.
In addition, having an end-to-end operating system enables
the business to give employees the right machine for them.
It might be a powerful desktop PC such as the HP EliteDesk,
or a highly-portable notebook like the HP EliteBook 840 or
1040. It could even be the Elitebook Revolve 810, an ultra-thin
notebook that rotates in an instant to become a tablet.
All of these HP devices offer a combination of Intel 64-bit
processing and Windows 8, with its user-friendly touchscreen
interface, bringing new business efficiencies across the
organisation.
2. New computing devices
New and exciting hardware devices can have a positive
disruptive influence on the business.
They bring to the organisation highly portable, always-
on computing. With them come powerful processing, cloud
apps that can be accessed from almost anywhere, and tools
that benefit team working, such as online collaboration and
videoconferencing.
Take the HP EliteBook Folio 1040, for example. This is
HP’s thinnest business Ultrabook to date, but it is packed with
enterprise features designed to carry out business on the go,
such as videoconferencing, web-based training and streaming
video. This new generation of devices also comes with better
security than ever before: innovations such as processor-level
data encryption and biometric security.
The HP EliteBook Revolve 810 is another new device worth
investigating. Featuring enterprise-class security and powered
by the fourth generation 64-bit Intel Core processor, the
Revolve is a notebook that transforms into a tablet with a twist
of the screen. It also has enterprise docking capabilities that
enable it connect to displays, printers and other peripherals.
10 Windows 8 features that could help
improve your business
In addition, having an end-to-end
operating system enables the
business to give employees the right
machine for them.
This new generation of devices also
comes with better security than
ever before: innovations such as
processor-level data encryption and
biometric security.

3. Page 3 10 Windows 8 features that could help improve your business
3. Fast Boot up
Windows 8 has a significantly faster boot-up time than
older operating systems, saving time for workers and IT teams.
In fact, Windows 8 starts up almost twice as fast as older
operating systems because it uses a new boot-up system called
the Unified Extensible Interface (UEFI) to access graphical
drivers before the operating system is fully active.
By accessing visual graphics earlier in the boot sequence,
the operating system can replace older and lengthier boot-
up visuals with a shorter sequence of visual cues. From the
user’s perspective, it means they can get to work in a matter of
seconds.
This speedy boot-up also saves time for the IT team when
applying patches, software updates or other tasks that require
a system restart.
4. Workflow improvements
Windows 8 has many workflow and usability improvements,
the primary one being touch-friendly enhancements such as
app snapping, where the user can arrange up to four apps on
the screen side by side.
There is also touch-enabled switching between apps,
and easy access to commonly used apps, through the touch
interface. Studies have shown that converting workflow to a
slate interface improves employee response time, increases
team decision-making time and quickens resolution of critical
issues.
Windows 8 gives the user easy access to the Windows
Store, a single point from which they can find and download
apps.
In addition, there is more powerful system-wide search, and
a series of quick-select ‘Charm’ icons that appear on-screen to
jump to the main controls: Search, Share, Start, Devices and
Settings, which are context-sensitive.
Windows 8, and the Microsoft software suites that
run under it, have a number of additions to aid workflow
management and team-collaboration.
For instance, users can add comments to Excel, PowerPoint
and Word 2013 documents, and readers who want to respond
to those comments can do it directly in the document or by
email, IM, text or even video-chat with team members, through
Skype or by using the corporate communications client,
Microsoft Lync.
5. New Security features
Windows 8 packs end-to-end security which far exceeds
Windows XP’s. This is partly down to security innovations in
the operating system itself, but also because of the chip-level
security that Intel has developed.
Intel’s 4th Generation Core vPro processors have
embedded technology, called Trusted Platform Module (TPM)
that reduces the threat of viruses and malware by creating a
protected environment at start-up.
Secondly, Intel Virtualisation Technology and Trusted
Execution Technology work below the Windows 8 operating
system to protect virtual environments.
Thirdly, Intel provides hardware-based authentication
through Intel Identity Protection Technology (IPT) that
includes a ‘no password’ VPN experience. By using chip-level
hardware authentication, it is possible to protect the user from
key logging and screen scraping attempts at identity theft.
Other security measures incorporated into Intel’s fourth
generation processors are accelerated, automatic full-disk
encryption, and antitheft capabilities that lock down the
machine if it’s stolen.
Windows 8 has a whole raft of security features of its
own. For example, Microsoft Defender now protects against
Trojans, worms and botnets. And Microsoft offers Enhanced
BitLocker, an encryption tool that can render whole hard
drives unreadable to users who lack the right credentials.
Windows 8 has a whole raft of
security features of its own. For
example, Microsoft Defender now
protects against Trojans, worms
and botnets.

4. All of these enhancements make Windows 8 running on Intel
processors the most secure operating system to date.
6. Enhanced architecture
The secure boot environment, which prevents malware from
infecting the system before the operating system loads, is just
one of the innovations that combine to make up Windows 8’s
enhanced architecture. The new operating system also supports
“SuperSpeed” USB 3: the next-generation connectivity standard
for peripherals; and devices that come with high-resolution
displays of 1366×768 and above.
But the architecture enhancements really start with the
Windows runtime platform itself, which is based on a new type of
application known as Windows Store apps, or ‘Metro’-style apps.
These run within a secure sandbox, which means that apps can be
run alongside each other and share data with each other.
The great thing about apps is that they can snap to the side of
a widescreen display to allow the user to multitask, and multiple
apps can be snapped automatically to occupy half or a quarter of
the screen.
Another feature of the Windows 8 enhanced architecture is
fast desktop search, with Windows 8.1 introducing unified search
powered by Bing. It can analyse a user’s search habits to return
relevant content stored locally and from the Internet.
Another major business enhancement is integrated support for
Exchange ActiveSync in both the operating system and Outlook
2013, which makes creating email accounts easier than
before. Exchange ActiveSync makes it simple to connect
multiple email accounts across Windows 8 or other laptops,
tablets and smart phones, as well as sync calendars and
manage contacts.
7. Integrated app store
Windows 8 presents a single place to download and
install new software applications via the Windows Store,
which is particularly helpful for smaller businesses as it saves
them time and effort.
And by integrating the Windows Store into the operating
system, it means users can find the apps they need and
get working quickly. In Windows 8.1, the Windows Store
features a redesigned interface with improved app discovery
and recommendations, and offers automatic updates for
apps.
Application developers are able to advertise their
desktop software through Windows Store, and Microsoft
has retained the right to ensure these are secure and high-
quality by only allowing them to distribute software through
the App Store. This gives businesses assurance that their
apps will have integrity.
8. Access to cloud-based business
software
Unlike Windows XP, Windows 8 has native support for
cloud computing. Cloud apps such as OneDrive offer easy
data syncing and backup straight from the desktop.
Then there’s Microsoft Office 365, the latest version of
the Office suite which is redesigned to be used from the full
range of devices. Office 365 offers a full featured version
of office on any Internet-connected PC, laptop or tablet,
running Windows 8.
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10 Windows 8 features that could help improve your business
The great thing about apps is
that they can snap to the side of
a widescreen display to allow the
user to multitask

5. Page 5 10 Windows 8 features that could help improve your business
The suite enables workers to keep up-to-date with all users’
changes in the same document, even if changes are made at the
same time. In addition, teams who use Office 365 can share files,
calendars and contacts in the cloud, and communicate using Skype
or Microsoft Lync or Lync Online.
Lync Online is a cloud-based service that gives users the ability
to host audio and video meetings with high-definition video
streaming, and share screens, which is a boon for teams of mobile
workers.
9. More powerful management tools
Windows 8 comes with powerful systems management
tools such as advanced remote management, virtualisation
management, and user self-service, which make configuring and
managing the desktop and mobile IT estate much easier for IT
departments.
It is now far simpler to restore a Windows PC to its factory
settings as there is no longer any requirement to back up files,
data or settings. Instead, with a new tool called Refresh, Windows
users can reinstall the operating system while maintaining their
own settings, document libraries and customisations, and once it’s
restored, the user’s saved data, settings and Windows Store apps
are automatically reinstalled.
Another new tool, File History, saves a running timeline of all of
the user’s files, which assists with automating backups, saving time
for IT managers.
Virtualisation management has also been improved. The
Windows 8 operating system has better support for both
virtualised systems and remote desktop support. Microsoft offers
multiple virtualisation options, including a tool to use Windows XP
as a virtual operating system on a Windows 8 machine.
And by using Microsoft Server 2012 together with a
technology called User Experience Virtualization, employees can
access a remote, server-side and virtual copy of their Windows 8
desktop.
Windows 8 also has support for Microsoft Virtual Desktop
Infrastructure (VDI), enabling the business to create multiple
virtual PCs on one physical computer, which can lower IT capital
costs.
Two more useful administrative technologies are Windows
To Go and DirectAccess. The former allows users to carry a
fully-functional copy of the corporate Windows 8 desktop on
a bootable external USB stick. This means they can insert it
into a Windows 7 or 8 machine and access the apps and files
they need to get the work done.
It also means IT organisations can support the Bring Your
Own PC trend, issuing workers with a secure corporate
desktop environment for their chosen device.
DirectAccess allows remote users to seamlessly access
resources inside a corporate network without having to
launch a separate VPN. It also helps IT administrators to
keep remote users’ PCs in compliance by applying the latest
policies and software updates.
10. Better Wi-Fi
Finally, Windows 8 features more efficient wireless
connection management by means of the new Wi-Fi
Manager, which is more intelligent and faster. The Wi-Fi
Manager measures each signal’s throughput and chooses the
source with the strongest bandwidth, instead of looking for
the nearest wireless network.
Windows 8 mobile devices have a Connection Standby
mode, for updating data while a Windows 8 laptop or tablet
is asleep. And to reduce battery life usage, the device can be
placed in Airplane Mode, like most modern smart phones.
Lastly, Windows 8 devices boast a new data usage tracker
for mobile broadband, which helps to reduce mobile costs.
The Windows 8 operating system is ideal for small and
medium-sized businesses, as it offers them enterprise-
class technologies and helps them compete with the larger
players. Its usability and workflow enhancements help to
produce greater levels of productivity from the workforce.
Meanwhile, the enhanced architecture of Windows 8
ensures the business is more efficient and secure. It’s time
for a change.
And by using Microsoft Server 2012
together with a technology called
User Experience Virtualization,
employees can access a remote,
server-side and virtual copy of their
Windows 8 desktop. www.hp.co.uk