Windows 11: The Perfect Partner for Field Workers?

In today's fast-paced IT landscape, modern businesses are increasingly calling upon their technological investments to bring enhanced connectivity, productivity, and efficiency. The global pandemic acted as a catalyst, requiring businesses to mobilise their workforces almost overnight whilst maintaining the productivity and output of pre-COVID workflows. Since this time, employees increasingly rely on their devices to handle more tasks and applications than ever, creating a demand for an advanced operating system that can effectively support their evolving needs. Fortunately, Microsoft‘s  latest operating system (OS), Windows 11, empowers mobile workers with superior power, robust security measures, and unparalleled flexibility. Since its release in late 2021, Microsoft has implemented a phased rollout for the updated OS, in which security updates for Windows 10 will continue, but users are incentivised to transition to Windows 11 through the expanded capabilities and security that it offers.

Of course, migrating field users to a new version of operating systems can be a complicated process, and many TOUGHBOOK customers are understandably wary about operational disruptions. However, as Microsoft announces the End of Life date (14^th October 2025) for the last version of Windows 10, there are a wealth of reasons why mobile fleets should look to become early adopters. The updates and innovations brought about in Windows 11 are largely focused on improving user experience and security, bringing its customers boosted efficiency and reliability that can help them stand out against their competitors. So, let’s dive into the benefits of the new OS, and how you can streamline your migration. 

Failing to make the previous transition from Windows 7 to Windows 10 posed significant risks for customers - especially public sector organisations. An unpatched operating system has the potential to cause real security risks. Police departments, for example, face restricted access to CJIS databases if using an unpatched OS, leaving them open to security vulnerabilities and without important apps that are no longer compatible with the previous systems. 

The good news is that Windows 11 is based on Windows 10 base code, so apps that run on one will typically run on the other, reducing the risk of operational downtime and administrative complexity. 

More flexible devices

In the past, our customers have adopted a one-size-fits-all approach to their devices. Nowadays, we see more varied user personas and requirements, with customers seeking devices capable of adapting to different use cases to extend their lifecycles, and devices often having multiple users in different roles. 

One of the highlight features of Windows 10 was the ability to create different images by job role with the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) and System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM). This allows public safety agencies and other security-conscious industries to set up individual images for different users with different sets of apps. An example of this is differentiating between Sergeants and Patrol Officers in police units. This reduces software licensing, automates and accelerates workstation setup, and allows IT admins to provide a better solution to each job role. 

This feature remains in Windows 11, and is combined with a new, optional presence-sensing feature, that can log users in when they approach and out when they walk away.

More mobile features

Windows 11 includes enhanced touch, pen, and voice input capabilities that will go a long way to supporting the productivity of mobile workers by enabling more hands-free use. 

Improved voice typing and dictation functionalities will bolster the voice picking solutions that TOUGHBOOK brings to supply chain, warehouse and retail users. Meanwhile, more intuitive and responsive touch and pen input upgrades support tablets and 2-in-1 laptops, a perfect partner for the rain sensing and glove-touch modes offered by TOUGHBOOK touchscreens. 

Widely compatible 

Windows devices offer a multitude of interfaces and functionality to connect to a wide array of external devices directly. This can be critical for industries that need devices to interface with legacy equipment, from water pumps to electric substations. To take this even further, users can easily manage daily operations on a Windows device without reliance on cloud systems if required. 

A smooth migration 

Windows 11 is set to bring users high performance from their mobile devices; flexibility and easy integration with other infrastructure and a focus on data integrity and device-managed security. Combining this OS with TOUGHBOOK devices allows you to maintain the power, safety, and compatibility of a laptop while adding the agility and compactness of a tablet, for the ultimate mobile performance. 

With so many benefits, we are passionate about supporting our customers in migrating to Windows 11 to capture the best performance, reaping the rewards of early adoption. Reach out to the TOUGHBOOK team for further support in your journey, or to answer any questions you may have.