Business software articles of 2012

The main thrust in enterprise systems this year has been the introduction of Windows 8 as the new Windows client OS.

Windows 8 introduces WinRT, a new programming model for Windows software development, as well as a new way of thinking about enterprise applications, through the touch user interface.

Along with desktop Windows, Microsoft introduced a new server OS, Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, and Visual Studio 2012, to complete the back-end and developer tools parts of the Windows system.

Computer Weekly has also seen growing interest in 2012 of agile methodologies for traditional enterprise application development to emulate the rapid pace of innovation in the world of mobile apps.

In fact, IT experts are now talking about a tiered approach to software development: fast, quick-win projects with limited lifespan; mid-term projects that require more planning and long-term infrastructure planning.

The agile approach requires a change in mind-set for IT, and impacts testing, outsourcing and software contracts.

Windows 8 is not yet another version of Windows – Microsoft must adapt to the consumerisation of IT and it is pinning its hopes on Windows 8. "Windows 8 is a critical part of Microsoft's history. The operating system can potentially unify its fortunes," said Richard Edwards, principal analyst at Ovum. According to Edwards, Microsoft's success came about due to consumer pressure. When IBM attempted to establish OS/2 in the early 1990s, home PC users put pressure on

Windows 8 aims to fill a void neither Apple nor Google has yet to occupy, namely the demand for an OS that works as well on a desktop as it does carried around on a tablet. Patrick Walker, head of IT at Beaverbrooks, is attracted by the Windows 8 as a tablet OS rather than as one supporting notebook PCs. The jewellery company is hoping to extend its mobile till offering, but is waiting for Windows 8 tablets to integrate with rest of its Windows-based systems.Argues that Microsoft need change its policy on Windows upgrade pricing.

Microsoft is unveiling a whole new generation of Windows on October 26th 2012, and significant changes are afoot. One Microsoft platform era is ending and another is beginning. The.Net era, as we have known it, is winding down..Net will not go away, however – it becomes Microsoft’s preferred server environment for the broader platform.

The.Net platform will change dramatically during the next year. The future of Microsoft’s platforms is on mobile devices and in cloud computing services, not confined to PC desktops and Intel servers alone.

Microsoft is unveiling a whole new generation of Windows on October 26th 2012, and significant changes are afoot.