After a couple of years in the rumor mill, Windows 365 has recently come to fruition. It is possibly one of the most significant Microsoft cloud service projects after Microsoft 365, looking into providing an affordable cloud computing service for private and enterprise use cases. The idea behind cloud computing is to allow for multiple hardware configurations to be rented and streamed over the Internet to a compatible display or monitor. This shift could significantly impact companies that employ many employees (over 1,000, for example), where every individual gets assigned to a physical laptop or a desktop computer. With Windows 365, these individual computers might get replaced with login credentials to the cloud computing service.
Windows 365 Benefits for Businesses
Getting the Windows 365 platform up and running, there is a single requirement for the device to have a running HTML5 browser and a DSL connection. The rest of the specifics, such as the required total bandwidth, depends on the workload above all else. However, Microsoft has published some general guidelines regarding hardware requirements, including at least a 1GHz processor, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of hard drive space, and a graphics card compatible with DirectX 9, running a resolution of at least 800×600.
With such humble minimum hardware requirements, Windows 365 has the potential to cut costs for medium to large businesses where remote access is a preferred option. In industries such as iGaming and sportsbooks websites, nearly all employees have their own assigned computers, creating additional expenses and downtimes, especially when the computers need servicing. This industry is currently experiencing a significant rise in popularity, and it is common to see classic casino games implemented into the games collection. With the increase in traffic and more casino-based games added to the bunch, Windows 365 can be used as the safety net for employees’ computers to stay operational at all times.
Windows 365 Options and Pricing
At the moment of writing, Microsoft offers Windows 365 in three subscription plans for businesses and enterprises. The basic plan costs US$31 per user per month, offering 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The standard program provides 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage for $US41 per user per month, while the Premium plan comes with 16GB of RAM and 128GB of storage and a 4vCPU for $US66 per month. Subscriptions can get cancelled at any time, and depending on the timing, and users are eligible for a partial refund for that month. In addition, if users might require more processing power for specific tasks, the subscription model can get seamlessly upgraded. With all that said, Windows 365 certainly has the potential for cost reduction, especially for businesses on the rise. Furthermore, running costs can get significantly reduced since it is possible to use Windows 365 over any platform with an enabled Microsoft Remote Desktop application (iOS, macOS, or Android) while still having more than sufficient processing power.