Every trader knows it’s important to use the right tool for the right job, but when it comes to IT, it can be tempting to take the path of least resistance, especially for small businesses that may be short on time and resources. While the deployment of purpose-built business technology has a variety of benefits, it is often cheaper for SMBs to purchase consumer-focused devices from major retailers, rather than working through a dedicated business technology partner.
In many ways, this is a perfectly legitimate choice; In most cases, the capabilities of the hardware themselves will be quite sufficient for the needs of a small organization (especially one that is not particularly focused on technology), and the idea of ​​potentially extra paying for advanced features they might not be using could make some of a small business out. However, there is one glaring exception to this, which is the predominant operating system in most IT companies.
Windows is the default operating system on the vast majority of laptops, but each version of the operating system comes in different flavors. The two most important components for SMBs are the Home – which comes pre-installed on most consumer laptops – and the Pro. On the surface, they look identical, but behind the scenes, it’s an entirely different story.
Here are some of the biggest ways that switching to Windows 11 Pro can take the burden off your IT team and help your business grow:
1. Group Policy
The secret weapon of every IT administrator, group policies are among the most powerful features of Windows. Essentially, they allow network administrators to define a single set of rules for all devices within a company’s IT ownership, which govern everything from straightforward IT security measures such as blocking remote desktop access, to more creative uses such as setting up a custom branded wallpaper for all devices employees .
The beauty of group policies lies in their flexibility. Administrators can start with some basic policy settings to control the basics of their environment, but once they are ready to scale, there is a wide range of finer functions that can be managed. While they are very useful for security operations, through things like blocking USB drives or restricting access to Control Panel settings, they can be used to control almost every aspect of how Windows works.
2. Automated provisioning
Setting up laptops for new employees can be a somewhat daunting task; Not only do you have to make sure you apply all the latest software updates once they are out of the box, there are a number of other configuration tasks that must be performed to customize it to your specific work environment.
For example, you will need to install any relevant drivers to ensure they are compatible with shared devices such as office printers or copiers, business applications such as the Microsoft Office suite or your chosen security package must be downloaded, and your organization’s group policy settings must be applied to ensure uniform software configuration across All devices.
These tasks are radically facilitated for small businesses with the dynamic provisioning capabilities of Windows 11 Pro. Instead of making all of these changes manually, or by creating and reinstalling a custom operating system image on each device, SMB’s IT staff can create a single, lightweight provisioning package file, which can be sent as an email attachment, downloaded from a shared drive, Or downloaded via a USB drive.
This package can then quickly and easily make all necessary changes to the operating system, including applying policies, registering devices in Active Directory, and installing applications, which saves significant time and effort for IT staff.
3. Sign in
For organizations that use a suite of Microsoft tools, Azure Active Directory saves tremendous time, something that should be central to their IT workflow. Azure AD is a cloud-based extension of the venerable Active Directory that has been a part of Windows for over twenty years, a single sign-on system that allows employees to access a range of applications and services with a single sign-on.
This includes Outlook and Exchange email systems, the entire Microsoft 365 suite, and even custom in-house apps, as well as software from a range of compatible third-party providers. This gives employees a smoother and smoother experience, but it also makes IT easier to manage.
With a single central console, organizations can easily control access to applications, allowing quick group access to all employees or restricting certain programs or data to certain authorized users. It also provides an easy way to troubleshoot login issues, without having to go through the daunting task of trying several different sets of credentials or resetting passwords.
The platform also offers a multi-layered, risk-based approach to security, using multi-factor authentication and behavioral modeling to make sure users are who they say they are. Basic Azure AD capabilities are provided for free with Office 365 subscriptions, but you may need to upgrade your operating system to take advantage, as devices running Windows 11 Home cannot be enrolled in the system.
4. Kiosk mode
Windows is an excellent platform for running customer-facing systems, and your Windows tablet or all-in-one device makes a good front-end for something like an automated reservation system. However, if you are giving customers the ability to interact with a device connected to your organization’s main network, giving them discretion is generally not recommended.
Kiosk Mode for Windows 11 Pro is a feature designed to solve this challenge. It closes almost all functions of the operating system, limiting users to one pre-defined application. In addition to blocking everything outside of the specific app you want your customers to have access to, you can even lock out basic functions like the start menu.
Devices in Kiosk mode can be managed centrally via Microsoft’s fleet management tools, and can be set up and customized using provisioning packages, making it easy to deploy at scale for large events.
5. Easier updates
We’ve all had the frustrating experience of being forced to install a subtle software update when you’re in the middle of trying to get something done, and this can have a real impact on business productivity. Windows 11 Pro allows organizations to avoid this problem by providing more granular controls over when and how updates are deployed across a range of devices.
You can schedule them for specific times when users are likely to be less busy, defer updates to a later date, or even skip them altogether – which can be especially useful if you suspect that a particular update might affect compatibility with a major peripheral or The application that your small business depends on.
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