Microsoft Opens Business App Store to Third-Party Software Bulk Sales

Microsoft Corp. will make it easier for corporate technology managers to buy multiple copies of third-party software through its Windows Store for Business, the company announced Thursday.

Although Windows 10 now runs on 300 million devices, the software giant still needs scads of developers to create applications for the latest version of its flagship operating system. Access to the Windows Store for Business—an online marketplace launched in November that's accessed through a tile on the Windows 10 desktop—may give them additional incentive.

Microsoft also barred corporate tech administrators from blocking access to the store in Windows 10 Pro, the least expensive business version.

The two moves are a bid by Microsoft to convince developers—many of whom are more interested in writing apps for larger and faster-growing mobile operating systems from Apple Inc. and Alphabet Inc.—to create programs for Windows 10. Giving third parties a channel to sell software in bulk and eliminating a barrier to the store should make it easier for Windows 10 users to buy more apps.

"The total available market grows for enterprise apps," said Patrick Moorhead, principal analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, a tech-industry research firm.

The Windows Store for Business is aimed at small and medium-sized businesses, a group that spends $70 billion a year on desktop software, applications and utilities, by Microsoft's estimates. Those companies often use Windows 10 Pro and generally lack tech departments that manage software deployments.

For now, customers can buy apps from the store in volume using credit cards. Microsoft intends to add invoicing and volume discounts.

The latest version of Windows 10 Pro removes the so-called group policy settings that gave administrators the ability to shut off access the store on their companies' computers.

"The ability to block access to the Windows Store is typically for organizations who want more control over corporate-owned devices," Microsoft said in a statement, adding that the more expensive Windows 10 Enterprise is aimed at those customers. Companies that want to prevent employees from accessing the store can do so only by upgrading to that version.

Windows 10 Education, available to teachers and students, also offers group policy settings.

Write to Jay Greene at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 06, 2016 16:55 ET (20:55 GMT)

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