Since the 1980s, Windows OS has been the unmatched leader in commercial business and industrial sectors around the world. As we approach the third decade of the 21st century, this is no longer the case for Microsoft’s Windows operating system. The Android OS has recently claimed the title of most popular mobile OS across the globe.
StatCounter, a web analytics firm, reported that in March 2017, Android overtook the mobile OS market share at 37.93 percent (Windows 37.91 percent). This small but important shift in mobile OS usage is giving business owners a reason to re-evaluate their current operating procedures and consider the Android operating system.
What is the best choice for my business?
There are many factors to keep in mind before committing to an operating system:
- Hardware choice
- Types of applications your business plans to use
- Risk factors of platform instability
Here are three important considerations that can help you decide what is best for your particular business model.
- Application and environment
Industrial applications need computing power to enable them to run efficiently and industrial environments often require rugged hardware that can operate in extreme conditions. Many legacy mobile computers and devices that met these specs ran on Windows OS, but rugged mobile hardware that supports Android is now available and competitively priced.
- Developer Flexibility
If you run custom business applications, your choice of OS may be limited. But if you have the flexibility to choose an OS, Android’s open platform is more developer-friendly and may make integration and scaling easier and more cost-effective. It may also be easier to find an Android developer to work with: Android OS Developers currently outnumber Windows 20:1
- Platform familiarity
Even though the Windows operating system has been the leader in business over the years, your employees may be more familiar with the Android operating system through their use of personal smartphones and consumer tablet devices. The limited availability of Windows mobile OS in the consumer market may result in longer learning curves for training employees. With Android, you may see a smoother transition process due to staff familiarity with the OS, which could mean cost savings during deployment and beyond.
Consider Windows OS end of life schedule
If your business currently uses the Windows operating system, you definitely want to think about the planned end of life schedule for 6.0/6.5/8.1 embedded handheld and CE. It’s a smart strategy to make plans now for upgrades or a migration to a new OS to minimize disruption to your operations.
Current Windows end of life schedule:
- Windows Embedded CE 6.0: June 10, 2018
- Windows Embedded 8.1 Handheld: June 9, 2019
- Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5: January 14, 2020
It’s time to evaluate your options and choose the best OS for your operation, now and in the future. Imprint Enterprises can help you devise a solid plan for upgrading or migrating to a new OS that supports your business needs and your budget. Contact us to help you evaluate your options and make the best decision.
