Microsoft's rolling release of its new Windows 8 operating system, along with its companion Surface touch-screen tablets to run it, is being greeted by construction IT managers like a beast with a split personality—but with great potential to liberate data.
For some qualities—specifically, the ability to run Windows applications while using Microsoft's DirectAccess server to make secure, effortless connections through firewalls, along with Surface's battery life that is far longer than laptops—they love it. But for in-office upgrades, they say they would rather not go there, as the new user interface is counter-intuitive, making for a difficult to transition.