Google takes on Windows 10 with the new Chrome Enterprise

With the Chrome OS and Chromebooks, Google succeeded in winning the education market in the US from Microsoft and Apple. Now, they are trying to enter the enterprise market which is a stronghold of Microsoft. Chrome Enterprise is a new subscription offering from Google that will offer many enterprise specific features like managed Google Play, managed Chrome extension, deep security controls, 24/7 support, as well as integration with cloud and on-premise management tools, VMware Workspace ONE and Microsoft Active Directory.

One of the main reasons why businesses stayed away from Chrome OS was its poor integration with the on-premise identity and management systems they’re already using. Google is fixing it by making Chrome Enterprise fully compatible with on-premise infrastructure through Microsoft Active Directory which will allow employees to use their native credentials to authenticate across devices and Google Cloud Services like Google Play while centralizing management of user and device policies for IT admins. Chrome Enterprise will cost just $50 per year.

Back in July, Microsoft announced a similar subscription program for Windows 10 Enterprise customers. Businesses can Windows 10 Enterprise E3 which comes with enterprise-grade security and management capabilities at just $7 a seat per month through the Cloud Solution Provider channel. Businesses without dedicated IT resources or limited IT staff, and want their licensing and IT needs managed by a trusted and experienced partner can choose this offering.

Windows 10 Enterprise E3 costs $34 more than Chrome Enterprise for a 12-month period. But when you purchase Windows 10 Enterprise E3, you get the following benefits: 

• Windows 10 Enterprise edition. Devices currently running Windows 10 Pro, version 1607 can get Windows 10 Enterprise Current Branch (CB) or Current Branch for Business (CBB). This benefit does not include Long Term Service Branch (LTSB).
• Support from one to hundreds of users. Although the Windows 10 Enterprise E3 in CSP program does not have a limitation on the number of licenses an organization can have, the program is designed for small- and medium-sized organizations.
• Deploy on up to five devices. For each user covered by the license, you can deploy Windows 10 Enterprise edition on up to five devices.
• Roll back to Windows 10 Pro at any time. When a user’s subscription expires or is transferred to another user, the Windows 10 Enterprise device reverts seamlessly to Windows 10 Pro edition (after a grace period of up to 90 days).
• Monthly, per-user pricing model. This makes Windows 10 Enterprise E3 affordable for any organization.
• Move licenses between users. Licenses can be quickly and easily reallocated from one user to another user, allowing you to optimize your licensing investment against changing needs.

Learn more about Windows subscription program for business here. Do you think Google can replicate its education market success with Chrome Enterprise? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.