VMware Rolls Out Service To Support Windows 10, Includes Security
’s flagship software.
Specifically, VMware's AirWatch Enterprise Mobility Management, VMware Horizon, VMware Identity Manager and VMware Horizon Flex tools will help IT departments manage devices, deliver applications, and activate the new Windows 10 features.
Windows 10 innovations make device management easier by moving to a unified enterprise mobility management (EMM) platform across all Windows 10 devices, whether corporate-owned or employee-owned, according to VMware. That includes laptops, desktops, smartphones and tablets.
"VMware is dedicated to driving business mobility, and the launch of Windows 10 is a leap forward in putting EMM at the forefront of managing all Windows devices, including desktops and laptops,” said Erik Frieberg, vice president of end-user computing at VMware. “As the consumerization of IT continues to proliferate the enterprise, Windows 10 can offer our customers a more seamless experience across devices as expected by consumer and business users alike.”
Concerned about Compatibility?
It seems VMware is preparing for mass enterprise migrations among its customer base, noting Windows 10 represents a fundamental shift in the way IT can manage all devices running the new software. VMware’s research revealed that 96 percent of the enterprises it surveyed said they planned to use internal resources and existing staff to upgrade.
AirWatch Enterprise Mobility Management supports new Windows 10 features, such as streamlined deployment, unified app experience, update management, advanced security and data protection . VMware is also offering solutions to deal with application compatibility challenges, including VMware Horizon Flex, VMware Fusion 7 and VMware Workstation 11.
That’s important, considering 81 percent of IT professionals cited application compatibility as one of the top concerns with Windows 10 migration, according to the survey. These tools will help enterprises migrate applications to Windows 10 over a period of time while maintaining the ability to run them under Windows 7 until they can wrap up their migrations.
Enterprise customers can enroll their Windows 10 devices in VMware Workspace Suite, VMware Horizon and AirWatch now. VMware Fusion and VMware Workstation are available for consumer support.
Why This Is Important
We asked Zeus Kerravala, principal analyst at ZK Research, for his thoughts on VMware’s Windows 10 support. He told us that it’s important because Windows 10 is the first significant change to the platform since Windows 4 -- other than the previous version that offered changes many users didn’t like.
“You’ll see a very strong migration to Windows 10 because Microsoft fixed some of the things they previously broke. Windows 10 is the first truly mobile OS designed for tablets and touchscreens that Microsoft has released,” Kerravala said. “For VMware to be able to support Windows 10, especially this quickly, is very important because it will help customers migrate faster. VMware has built a ton of migration tools into it. So the combination of VMware plus Windows 10 should bear more fruit.”