Windows 365 – Pros & Cons

Long gone are the days where all our working equipment is physical hardware, and we need to be in the office to access it. The majority of our work has moved to the cloud over the years, such as Windows 365, but employee computers are one of the only components that remain location based. This article outlines the pros and cons of Windows 365.

Relying on a physical workstation made up of hardware can be problematic at times, for example when we had to make the switch to working from home. Switching between your desktop in the office to your laptop at home can provide a range of difficulties, such as having to adapt to the different device speeds and search for particular files.

Here at Ipswich based Corbel, we believe the solution to this issue is putting your computer workstation in the cloud – Windows 365 Cloud PC is the next big thing…

Windows 365 – explained

Put simply, Windows 365 is a cloud-based PC. Instead of your computer’s settings, files and software being located on your computer’s hard drive, they are located instead on a cloud server. This cloud server can then be easily accessed anywhere through an online portal.

Cloud based services work on a subscription plan, and 365 is no different. There is a range of plans all at different levels which are priced accordingly. 365 can be accessed from any device at anytime. Your computer will act and operate in the exact same way – the only difference is that your operating system is now in the cloud as opposed to on the physical hard drive.

Windows 365 – pros

Access your computer anywhere

No matter where you are you can access all your computers files without having to physically transport a computer.

This can be of benefit in various scenarios, including those who travel regularly. There is no need to worry if your laptop or PC is damaged as your files would be protected due to being a part of the cloud.

Ideal for the hybrid working world

Using the cloud is beneficial for employees who work from home and in the office, as it provides accessibility. All employees can access their files in whatever working situation they find themselves in. This has been particularly beneficial the past few years when the working dynamic has shifted – with there being an increase in the popularity of hybrid working. With this way of working becoming the new normal, it is now more beneficial than ever to embody windows 365, Corbel can help your business to implement this effectively.

Better access to device security and administration

The devices of employees who are working remotely need to be properly updated to reduce any difficulties. This can be harder to manage when employees aren’t in the office, but using a cloud will allow a company to have control of PC assets and data. Although employees can login from any location, the computers data is held in the cloud environment and so can be accessible for any necessary updates.

Windows 365 – cons

Online access only

You do not have access to your data, files, and programs when you are not connected to the internet. This shouldn’t have a major impact due to the fact that most of our work is now reliant on cloud applications and there are many resilience options that can be considered to give you maximum up-time.

A slow connection may alter your experience

A slow connection has the potential to impact your experience of the cloud negatively. Not only may the app lag and not work effectively, but a slowdown in the cloud app can result in the whole computer slowing down. This then can cause frustration amongst employees trying to work. By selecting an experienced business IT Support partner, they can guide you through and ensure your connectivity is suitable for a positive experience.

Service outage danger

Whilst relying on Microsoft for always having the service available would be ideal, it is unfortunately unrealistic. Service outages can occur – which can mean access to your computer or data is restricted.

To help reduce the impact of this risk, it would be highly recommended to ensure that all this data being held in Windows 365 is backed up additionally in a 3^rd party backup solution with the help of Business IT Support.

Is having a cloud PC suitable for your business?

Windows 365 provides a range of wider benefits to your business and is beneficial in streamlining your businesses processes to maximize capabilities. If you would like some 365 support or feel you could benefit from working with a partner that offers IT Support and consulting services to Suffolk businesses, then feel free to give one of our team a call on 01473 241515 or email us at info@corbel.co.uk.

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Ipswich based Corbel Solutions Limited work with businesses as an IT Support partner in Ipswich, Felixstowe, Stowmarket, and the surrounding Suffolk area in a practical way, covering IT consulting services, disaster recovery and cloud telephony services.