At Ignite, its enterprise technology conference in Orlando today, Microsoft launched two new versions of its Microsoft 365 subscription: Education and F1 (for firstline workers). Microsoft 365-powered devices were also announced, including new commercial Windows 10 S devices from HP, Lenovo, and Fujitsu starting at $275.
In July, Microsoft introduced Microsoft 365, a new set of commercial offerings to package, and for its partners to sell, Windows 10, Office 365, and related enterprise mobility and security offerings. At the time, the company unveiled two versions of Microsoft 365: Enterprise and Business. Now it’s adding two more.
Microsoft 365 Education includes Office 365 for Education, Windows 10, Enterprise Mobility + Security, and Minecraft: Education Edition. It is aimed at helping students, faculty, and staff securely create and collaborate.
Microsoft 365 F1 includes Office 365, Windows 10, and Enterprise Mobility + Security. It offers updates to Windows 10, including the deployment and management of remote devices and configuring locked-down single purpose experiences, and enhancements to Microsoft StaffHub, an app to help firstline workers manage their workday.
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Microsoft estimates there are 2 billion firstline workers (or 80 percent of the global workforce), which it describes as the employees who are the first point of contact between a company and its customers, who are directly involved in making products, represent a company’s brand, and see products and services in action. They form the backbone of many of the world’s largest industries, but have been largely left behind during the economy’s digital transformation, according to Microsoft.
Microsoft 365 today also received improved Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) features like enhanced anti-phishing capabilities, integration between cloud and on-premises identity threat detection capabilities, and expanded protection to SharePoint Online, OneDrive for Business, and Microsoft Teams.
As for the new devices, they offer self-service deployment and simplified management, staying always up-to-date. As you might expect, these devices are aimed at students, educators, and firstline workers.
Microsoft highlighted four devices:
- HP Stream 14 Pro: 14-inch available October 2017 for $275
- Acer Aspire 1: 14-inch available Q4 2017 for $299
- Acer Swift 1: 13-inch available Q4 2017 for $349
- Lenovo V330: 14-inch available February 2018 for $349
In other device news, HP, Lenovo, Panasonic, Toshiba, and Fujitsu will join Surface in supporting Windows AutoPilot by providing device IDs to companies beginning in January 2018.
