US Department of Defense signs three-year, $617 million Windows 8 licensing deal

[Ashokkumar01cbe]

Despite some launch hiccups with Windows 8 and its related devices, Microsoft has received a smashing bit of news in the form of a new $617 million licensing agreement that will bring the fledgeling OS to 75 percent of US DoD personnel. The deal also includes Office 2013 and Sharepoint 2013 Enterprise, and will let users access the software "from any location, and any supported device, while taking advantage of enhanced security," according to Redmond. Microsoft added that the agreement was "the most comprehensive" it's ever signed with the sprawling government arm, which plans to use the software for a wide range of priorities from cybersecurity to mobility. Meanwhile, the software giant is working to achieve the coveted, though highly unwieldy-sounding "Army Golden Master and Air Force Standard Desktop Configuration" compliance for Windows 8 -- which we imagine is a good thing, and hope to never have to type out again.

 

[Vignesh B]

Windows 8 has got a shot in its arm.
When will our government do such things? I still see plenty of government office computers running the decade old decaying Windows XP.

 

[CommanderShawnzer]

Windows 8 has got a shot in its arm.
When will our government do such things? I still see plenty of government office computers running the decade old decaying Windows XP.

and just not any Windows XP.....

Spoiler

PIRATED WINDOWS XP!!!

 

[MetalheadGautham]

Personally I'm glad India is not following the US here. Linux is making a lot of inroads here instead

PS: And just for the reference, Indian defence sector does not run on pirated windows xp. Government offices maybe yes (and even that is fast changing) but definitely not our military. Its way more ahead of times than most of you guys realize.

 

[Vignesh B]

Personally I'm glad India is not following the US here. Linux is making a lot of inroads here instead

PS: And just for the reference, Indian defence sector does not run on pirated windows xp. Government offices maybe yes (and even that is fast changing) but definitely not our military. Its way more ahead of times than most of you guys realize.

If what you say is correct, then that is a good thing to be. We do expect the 4th strongest military in the world to be way ahead of the times.
I was just saying about the general government offices. I don't think they have any financial issues as such, neither any logistic issues(as far as I think), so why not embrace the best if not the latest technology available.

 

[d6bmg]

At least they got some customers.

 

[harshilsharma63]

I was just saying about the general government offices. I don't think they have any financial issues as such, neither any logistic issues(as far as I think), so why not embrace the best if not the latest technology available.

Forget Govt. offices, not even the schools and colleges adopt them, they just run the old and vulnerable Win XP.