Google Targets Windows XP-Dependent Businesses With Chromebook Discounts

Google is looking to court the estimated 25 percent of enterprises still running Windows XP by offering them a $100 discount on every managed Chromebook along with other offers if they run desktop apps on the cloud-based Chrome OS operating system.

Microsoft ended support for the 12-year old XP yesterday with the release of the final Patch Tuesday updates, but a number of organisations have not yet migrated to a newer operating system, something which Google says could result in serious privacy and security risks.

The search giant says legacy software and custom built applications have discouraged many businesses from making the jump to Windows 7 or Windows 8, but it is hoping to tempt some to try something completely new, such as a Chromebook.

Chromebooks for Business

“Today marks the end of an era for computing, as Windows XP meets its maker. I remember when XP was released in 2001—it seemed like a revolution that introduced computers to a whole new generation,” says Amit Singh, President of Google Enterprise.

“But fast forward 13 years and we live in a very different world—one in which we expect the latest and greatest software, and the ability to access our stuff from anywhere. Even Microsoft admits: it’s time for a change.”

Singh says Chromebooks for Business offer a secure and easy to use computing platform, along with a central web-based management console, and promised that employees will be able to use work applications offline and access traditional apps through virtual environments.

Google has teamed up with VMware to offer a $200 discount on a Chromebook with VMware desktop as a service (DaaS) and with Citrix to offer users 25 percent off Citrix XenApp Platinum Edition, which includes AppDNA software for accelerating Windows XP migration. It is unclear whether similar discounts will be offered in the UK.

“It’s time for a real change, rather than more of the same,” adds Singh.

Chromebooks were first introduced in 2009, but sold poorly as users were concerned about the need to stay connected to use many of Chrome OS features. Google overhauled the platform in 2012 and sales have steadily increased. Analysts at Forrester said last year that Chromebooks have a place in the enterprise, although they admitted the cloud-based computers were not suitable for every worker or every scenario.

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