Windows RT tablets attractive for both consumers, enterprise, Microsoft says

Microsoft® is wisely not putting all its eggs in one basket with its upcoming Windows® RT operating system. Speaking at TechEd 2012 in Orlando, one Microsoft insider says the tablets will be geared toward consumers but will be easily adaptable for the enterprise sector.

According to technology news provider TechCentral.ie, Hiroshi Sakakibara, senior marketing manager at Microsoft, told audience members Windows RT will support a number of security features to encourage IT departments to adopt the tablet computers. For example, the tablets will support virtual smartcards, which can serve as a two-factor authentication when logging on to secure networks and applications.

Sakakibara also says the Windows RT operating system will be able to connect to secure, built-in virtual private networks (VPNs) that can be configured manually or automated with Windows PowerShell™ scripts, the news provider reports.

Several industry observers have noted that the enterprise space will be Microsoft's best bet in the tablet market. Though Windows 8 devices based on Intel® technology are more likely to have a greater presence in the workplace than those run on ARM-based chips, Microsoft is clearly making an effort to appeal to the workforce wherever it can.