Microsoft announced today the release of their latest “Embedded” operating system. The biggest announcement to us in the cloud infrastructure field was Windows 7 Embedded Enterprise. This brings us one step closer to having a rich remote desktop experience including graphics, video, and sound delivered across the internet to a “Thin Client” device.

Currently we are testing Windows 7 with Windows 2008 R2 Server providing remote desktops. We have been very impressed with the results. The experience of streaming a remote desktop over the internet is negligible when compared  to running a local operating system. We have even been able to play a Youtube video across the internet and view it locally on our PCs through a remote desktop connection. This is something that in the past was unthinkable.

I am very excited to see how the next few months develop as more and more companies realize the cloud is not going away. The development of applications and services for the cloud is taking off.

For your average business it does not make sense to spend time and money replacing your outdated desktop computers with new ones. The cloud is coming and its time to jump on board.

Speaking with a client today the subject of cloud computing came up. For those who are not yet familiar with Cloud Computing, in simple terms your computing power is delivered to you as a service over the internet for a reoccurring charge, similar to electricity. You pay only for what you use. You probably already use some “cloud applications” and do not even realize it. Some good examples of cloud applications are Gmail, Salesforce.com, and file sharing sites like YouSendIt.

How can cloud computing benefit your office? Well first of all it gets rid of the recurring hardware lifecycle expenses. You know the deal, the IT staff purchase expensive new servers and desktops for your company. Things are great at first, then in a blink of an eye your equipment is outdated and you have to shell out exorbitant amounts of money to upgrade. Utilizing the cloud allows your company to take advantage of resources which are constantly being upgraded and maintained on the backend level. On the desktop side of things your standard PC Tower is replaced with a low-cost low-power ThinClient. ThinClients have life spans far beyond that of traditional PCs.

As your office hardware ages have a closer look towards the clouds. You may find a new and better way to handle your computing.