Windows RT gets enterprise-friendly management feature

Microsoft® has made no secret about its plans to push its upcoming Windows® 8 operating system to enterprise users. In this vein, the company recently revealed that Windows RT -- sometimes known as Windows on ARM -- will include a crucial feature to make tablet computers more enterprise-friendly.

According to the Building Windows 8 blog, a newly announced management client will be capable of leveraging compliance information to ensure devices based on Windows RT are in line with company policies for passwords, antivirus software, data encryption and other functions.

The client will connect to a cloud-based management platform that ensures devices meet corporate regulations before they can access the company network or download line-of-business applications.

"Leveraging this compliance information, IT admins can more effectively control access to corporate resources if a device is determined to be at risk. Yet once again, the user’s basic experience with the device is left intact and their personal privacy is maintained," the blog states.

Unlike the iPad®, which debuted as a consumer-focused device, many point to the enterprise space as Microsoft's best bet of establishing itself in the competitive tablet market. With Windows 8's new management client, it's clear that Microsoft is taking few chances to make sure this notion becomes reality.