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The Right Choice for Businesses

With the launch of the Microsoft� Windows� 2000 operating system, organizations are deciding which path to take for their next desktop operating system upgrade. This document presents the Microsoft recommendation for business users and provides detailed evidence to support this recommendation.

Recommendation

Windows 2000 Professional is the recommended desktop and mobile operating system of choice for businesses of all sizes. Windows 98 and its successors are designed to make home computing easier and are thus better suited to addressing the requirements of home users.

 



The Requirements of a Business Operating System

A business desktop or laptop operating system needs to be able to provide a rich set of capabilities to support the diverse needs of a business.  It should be:

         Reliable. Greater dependence on PCs has made reliability the top concern of businesses of all sizes. 

         Built for mobile users. The number of mobile users is dramatically rising and organizations are under increased pressure to make it easier for mobile workers to get securely connected to the corporate network.

         Easy to use & manage. Ease-of-use and client experience in a networked environment are becoming key factors in maximizing employee productivity and satisfaction. At the same time, cost containment and cost reduction are top priorities for most organizations. Thus, an operating system designed for desktops and laptops needs to be easy to use and should simplify lifecycle management to reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO).

         Internet-ready. The Internet offers immense potential for organizations to fundamentally change the way they conduct their business. There is thus a need for an operating system that is not only Internet-aware but can also help organizations embrace Internet technology.


The Right Desktop and Laptop Operating System for Businesses of All Sizes

Windows 2000 Professional has a powerful set of features that makes it the right choice for businesses of all sizes. It has been designed so that organizations can standardize both their desktop and laptop PCs on a single operating system, while offering the full functionality that businesses require today.

It�s reliable. Windows 2000 Professional incorporates technologies that enhance its reliability and security�thus improving overall user productivity and ensuring the safety of corporate data. For example:

         It prevents errant applications from crashing the system, thus resulting in higher system uptime.

         It also prevents users or applications from changing the core operating system files, proactively and automatically. Consequently, network administrators will have fewer frustrated internal customers and have more time to perform other activities.

It�s built for mobile users. Windows 2000 Professional builds on the best mobile features of Windows 98 and takes them to higher levels. For example:

         It enables mobile users to access network-based files, folders and favorite web sites even when disconnected from the network, thus offering the potential to increase their productivity.

         �Warm docking� lets users plug mobile computers into and out of docking stations without rebooting so they can access required network resources more readily.

         It provides flexible and highly secure remote access to corporate networks�on the PC, on the �wire,� and on network resources.

It�s easy to use & manage. Windows 2000 Professional is designed to enhance user experience, as well as be easier to manage and be managed. For example:

         It builds on the familiar Windows interface to offer an intelligent environment that adapts to the way users work, making it more personable to users� unique requirements and preferences.

         Its built-in tools and technologies enable rapid and massive deployment on business desktops.

         Its multi-language capabilities make it possible to deploy and manage a single operating system throughout an organization, regardless of the language preferences of the users.

         It protects corporate data by requiring authentication and by supporting granular access control.

         It provides seamless data encryption to ensure data integrity.

It�s Internet-ready. Windows 2000 Professional is designed to make it easier for organizations to embrace the Internet. For example:

         Microsoft Internet Explorer, a browser tightly integrated with the operating system, provides users with a faster and richer Internet experience.

         A wide array of graphical tools assists users in configuring the way they connect with others and exchange information.

Business customers require an operating system that is reliable, easy to use, highly manageable, and cost-effective for both mobile and desktop users. Windows 2000 Professional has been designed to meet these needs. The following section presents a feature-by-feature comparison and the reasons why Windows 2000 Professional is the operating system of choice for businesses of all sizes.