More on Microsoft's SKU-morphic Windows vision

[Brink]

Microsoft's plans for Windows SKUs is undergoing a transformation. Here's the latest on what the Softies may be planning with new Windows versions, moving forward.

There's skeumorphism. And then there's SKU-morphism -- as in a few key next-generation Windows SKUs, which may morph before they debut.

As I've blogged previously, while Microsoft is moving toward a "One Windows" vision, that vision is more along the lines of one Windows core, but multiple SKUs, or versions, according to my contacts. (SKU actually stands for stock-keeping unit, for those wondering.)

This new strategy doesn't necessarily mean there will be a different SKU for every kind of Windows form factor out there. Instead, as Microsoft moves forward with its "Threshold" Windows wave, there might be just a few Windows SKUs built on top of a common Windows foundation, I'm hearing from my contacts.

It's definitely still early days for Threshold, which is supposedly slated to begin arriving around Spring 2015. Given all the management changes at Microsoft, things could change. But here's supposedly what the Softies are thinking at this point.

With Threshold, my sources say, there could be three primary SKUs: A "modern" consumer SKU; a traditional/PC SKU; and a traditional enterprise SKU.

Read more at: More on Microsoft's SKU-morphic Windows vision | ZDNet

 

[carwiz]

Add to that a likely effort to save on Universal Product Code (UPC) costs. Each product code costs thousands plus a fee for each use (printed or label). And a UPC code is good for just one product model, not a product line. If even the color changes, a new UPC code is needed.