There are three major factors that will see Windows-based tablets become more relevant for business computing. They are integration, security, and simplicity. Microsoft has developed platforms that present options that other mobile computing platforms cannot match, and as the technology becomes more commonplace for productivity, you?ll likely see the Windows-based tablets substantially increase their mobile market share. The first element of Windows-based tablet computing is the availability of machines that allow users to actually be productive while they?re on the go. Tablets are mostly known as consumption-first devices. This traditionally has more to do with their lack of decent software with which to complete work, as well as the touchscreen interface that?s difficult for users to enter commands. Security is strong on Windows 8.1 tablets. Since the OS was developed to run on PCs and mobile devices alike, the software comes with some of the best security features that come on a mobile OS. These include comprehensive device encryption to secure data and a tamper-resistant booting process that prevents unauthorized access and low-level malware infections, respectively. This kind of static computing interface allows users to learn one set of software, which is important when using mobile devices for productivity. Many of today?s Windows tablets run full versions of Windows 8.1, which, unlike other tablet OSs, comes with the very same interface that you would get on a PC. This allows users to familiarize themselves with one piece of software instead of many. The ease-of-use factor significantly contributes to the viability of the device, and with a stylus, the Windows 8.1 tablet is familiar and simple. While Windows tablets have failed to generate the demand that Apple?s iPad or devices running the Android environment have, there has been a pretty drastic shift recently. To alter this course, Microsoft has made a dedicated effort to promote their line of Surface tablets as able to provide a consistent computing interface on each environment, while providing users with a state-of-the-art computing interface for productivity, not just consumption. DevicesThree of the most popular tablets available with the Windows 8.1 OS include:Microsoft Surface Pro 3 – This is Microsoft?s flagship device. They?ve been positioning this device as a completely viable laptop replacement, and if your laptop is a couple of years old, they certainly have a point. The device has a 12.6? screen and comes with a proprietary stylus. The available type cover has been renovated from other versions of the Surface line of tablets. ASUS Transformer Book – ASUS manufactured, running full Windows 8.1, the Asus Transformer Book T200 has a large 11.6? display and comes with a keyboard.Samsung XE500 – The world?s largest mobile device manufacturer has gotten in on the action as well with the XE500. Also with an 11.6? display with an attachable keyboard, it also comes with a Livescribe Smartpen stylus. Windows 10: Microsoft?s Next All-In-One StrategyAs Microsoft begins rolling out their newest OS, Windows 10, the plan is for all levels of the platform to provide the same computing environment, essentially merging the tablet and the PC like never before. This shift is going to change the game for companies that are searching for ways to improve its mobility. Microsoft has announced its Windows 10 release date: July 29, 2015. Subsequently, they have already sent notifications to users of older […]

Unlike Apple and their ecosystem lock strategy, Microsoft rarely produces Windows-based hardware. In fact, one of Microsoft?s most strategic moves over the years has been licensing their software solutions (operating systems, productivity apps, and more) to partner original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), so they could profit from the dissemination of this software without taking on the cost of manufacturing the devices themselves. As a result, over 95 percent of all desktop PCs and laptops run some version of Microsoft Windows. With other software manufacturers finding success in the mobile market, including the skyrocketing popularity of Google?s Android platform (using the same OEM strategy) the world?s largest software developer decided to enter the fray with their Microsoft Surface line of tablets in 2012. Using their ?new? metro user interface, they built a platform deliberately designed to work on mobile; however, there were problems. The first Surface was only offered with the Windows RT operating system. At the time Microsoft was years behind their competition in the most essential element of running a mobile computing system: they lacked applications. The RT version of the Windows 8 software doesn?t support legacy applications, and there weren?t many options on the fledgling Windows Store. It was easy to see how most serious mobile consumers didn?t consider Windows-based tablets viable computing platforms to use for business. This was remedied soon after when Microsoft delivered its first tablet complete with a full version of Windows 8. The Surface Pro provided users the ability to have access to any piece of software they would normally use on a PC, on a mobile computing interface. Since then Microsoft, and its OEMs, have been delivering tablet computers that have the advanced capabilities that come with the Windows 8 operating system. So while application development hasn?t come as far as users would hope (due in large part to a small share in the tablet-computing market), Windows 8 provided an interesting, albeit questionable, opportunity. It was only after Microsoft launched the first service pack to Windows 8, titled, Windows 8.1 that users started to see the viability of the interface for productivity. This is mainly a result from the security and networking capabilities improvements integrated into Windows 8.1. The update added BYOD enhancements, improvements to device mobility (VPN, mobile hotspot integration), and security improvements (remote management, enhanced encryption). With these options more businesses have taken notice of the mobile Windows 8.1 platform. Since it took literal years for Microsoft to develop the software to the point where the ease of use, app development, and integrated security was at the level of the more popular Android and iOS-based platforms, many OEMs haven?t pushed as hard to create and sell consumer-viable tablets that run Windows 8.1. The Windows 8.1 interface, however is one that proposes a great deal of benefit for building a modern office. In part two, we will provide specific examples and suggest devices that can work to securely increase your company?s mobility.

Some more statistics of the research include the following: 86 percent of companies suffer from an inadequate leadership pipeline. 79 percent have retention and engagement troubles (i.e. high turnover rate). 75 percent have significant trouble attracting the employees they need. In other words, these problems stem from poor leadership, or at the very least, a poor leadership system. Why is this Happening?To put it simply, today?s workers want more out of their jobs. They don?t want a position where they sit around and do meaningless work for eight or more hours a day. They want their work to mean something to someone, somewhere. They want an experience. They, just like clients, are demanding and know what they want. If they can?t get it at one place, they leave and try somewhere else, hence the low retention rate. Overwhelming OddsPerhaps one of the prime reasons why there is a 26 percent turnover rate in the US workforce is that two-thirds of the 21st-century workforce feel as if they are overworked. That?s right – two out of three of your employees feel like they are doing too much for too little. To put it in economic terms, the costs outweigh the benefits, and they feel like they are sacrificing too much of their home life for their workplace. 40 percent of them work more than fifty hours a week, and the majority of them would like to work fewer hours. There are too many distractions at work that can hinder performance, and realistically, people can?t do as much without being weighed down by emails or conference calls. A lot of people find themselves working outside of work via their smartphones or other mobile devices. Not-so-Simple SolutionsThis is clearly a problem that needs to be addressed, lest companies lose a quarter of their employees annually simply due to boredom and poor leadership conditions. This shouldn?t happen, and there are ways to correct this imbalance of engagement. Some companies have well-established work practices that have been around for years, and aren?t so sure they want to make any drastic changes. Some might be concerned that if they give the leash some slack, the dog will run free. Their problem in this situation is that part of building a great business is using trust as a foundation. If everyone gets along and trusts each other, relationships will flourish and take the company to greater heights. Tips on How You Can Be an Engaging LeaderWhen it comes down to it, how engaged a worker is with their job is dependent upon their manager finding ways to motivate them. To that end, here are six tips from Forbes on what ?Wise Leaders Can Do to Engage Their Employees.? Stop unknowingly creating tension by expecting them to behave a certain way, rather than allowing them to be their authentic selves. Detect the most positive capabilities in people. Stop micromanaging and start empowering them to discover their full potential. Put employees in a position of influence and allow them to discover their own potential. Share your success to build their momentum. Be consistent and have their backs. We would add to this list the necessity of having working technology. Nothing causes an employee to disengage with their work quite like a painfully-slow workstation and unreliable network connection. Of course, reliable […]