Windows 8 Metro getting into LOB

Question

I just read this:

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/windowsstore/archive/2012/04/25/deploying-metro-style-apps-to-businesses.aspx

Looks like they are now starting to be serious about targeting LOB apps that many here have thought would be SL's place in Windows 8.

Answer 1

Mark,

First, the problem with this is that such a LOB application will work only in Windows 8.

Second, did you see how it is complicated to distribute the application: if you don't want to publish the application on the web store, you have to have a domain server! None of my customers has one, because they are small companies without an IT department.

Patrick

Answer 2

Patrick, that's an interesting point - that small businesses would have to purchase Active Directory just to get apps deployed. This is a non-starter.

Answer 3

I suspect you could create a free app that would go through the store that would require some licensing mechanism after it is downloaded.  That way you wouldn't have to use AD.

Answer 4

The problem with going through Windows Store is that you'd have difficulty pushing out bug fixes quickly, pending evaluation by Microsoft. For small installations, I wonder if they will have the same kind of "private evaluation" system so that you can deploy and test.