Windows

Four product lines from the Windows and Windows Live Division are of primary interest to enterprise customers:

• Windows 8—the Windows client OS for devices using the AMD and Intel x86 and x64 processors
• Windows RT—the Windows client OS for tablets and laptops using ARM system on a chip (SoC)
• Windows Server 2012—the Windows server OS for AMD and Intel x64 processors
• Internet Explorer (IE) 10—the Windows browser.
• Customers need to track the status of these Windows products in order to plan for the deployment and maintenance of both desktops and servers and the deployment of other server products, such as SQL Server and Exchange, which may have dependencies on specific Windows versions and service packs.

Windows Client

The Windows client is Microsoft’s primary OS for desktop, laptop, netbook, and tablet computers (collectively, clients). There are now two Windows clients: Windows 8, which became generally available in Oct. 2012 after becoming available for customers who purchase Windows through volume license agreements beginning in Sept. 2012, and Windows RT, which became generally available in Oct. 2012 (and which will likely never be available through volume license agreements as it is currently only available preinstalled on devices). (See the illustration “Windows Client and IE Overview“.)