In preparation for a new offering, "Windows 365 Frontline," Microsoft has earmarked June 2023 as its delivery date. The announcement was made through a note on the Microsoft 365 Roadmap site on February 10, affirming its availability worldwide across PC, Mac, mobile, and web platforms.
In 2021, Microsoft introduced the Windows 365/Cloud PC service, a cloud-based virtualization solution that enhances and complements Azure Virtual Desktop. Currently catering exclusively to business users, Windows 365 offers various pricing tiers ranging from $20 to $162 per user per month, depending on cores, RAM, and storage requirements.
Frontline workers, also known as "firstline workers," are integral to industries like retail, healthcare, and hospitality. They represent a significant focus for Microsoft's subscription-based Microsoft 365 services. Microsoft officials revealed that there are approximately two billion frontline workers globally, comprising 80% of the global workforce. A substantial 400% growth in monthly active usage of the Teams platform among frontline workers was observed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2020 to November 2021.
Details about the precise form of the upcoming "Windows 365 Frontline" offering remain undisclosed in the roadmap entry. Questions about its classification relative to the current Windows 365 Business and Enterprise variants, its availability as an add-on for Microsoft 365 subscribers, and its pricing have been posed to Microsoft. However, a spokesperson mentioned that no information could be shared at this time regarding their new roadmap entry.
According to the "Windows 365 Frontline" entry, the release is specifically designed to provide Cloud PCs for shift workers or part-time employees, catering to those who only require a Cloud PC for limited durations each day or week.
It is presumed that "Windows 365 Frontline" will leverage the "Windows 365 Boot" capability discussed by Microsoft officials in April 2022. This boot-to-cloud feature allows users to pick up precisely where they left off with Windows 365, offering an advantage over the conventional process of booting Windows locally and then connecting to the cloud. Admins can configure this feature using Endpoint Manager, making it an ideal option for frontline workers using shared devices.
Additionally, the "Windows 365 Frontline" offering may incorporate limited hours of availability, which could be more suitable for shift workers compared to salaried "knowledge workers." This approach could potentially introduce a lower-priced Windows 365 lineup to Microsoft's product portfolio.
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