Novità nei Microsoft servicing models

In aprile 2017 nel post Windows and Office align feature release schedules to benefit customers era stato annunciato un allineamento dei service models con due feature update annuali schedulati e a marzo e Settembre e 18 mesi di supporto per ogni release, nel post di luglio 2017 Windows as a service: Simplified and Aligned viene confermato l’annuncio precedente e viene anche fatta chiarezza su quella che sarà la nuova terminologia è che verrà adottata con Windows 10 1703 a partire da luglio 2017:

“Microsoft is aligning our servicing models with twice-per-year feature update releases targeting March and September, and 18-month servicing timelines for each release.”

As part of the alignment with Windows 10 and Office 365 ProPlus, we are also adopting common terminology to make it as easy as possible to understand the servicing process. The two most important terms to understand:

• Semi-Annual Channel. These are the twice-per-year feature update releases, targeting March and September, designed for the broad population of general-purpose PCs used throughout organizations. Each of these releases will be serviced for 18 months from the date of release. (The Semi-Annual Channel replaces the Current Branch [CB] and Current Branch for Business [CBB] concepts.)
  
• Long-Term Servicing Channel. These are less frequent releases, expected every 2-3 years (with the next one expected in 2019), designed for special-purpose PCs such as those used in point-of-sale systems or controlling factory or medical equipment. Each of these releases will be serviced for 10 years from the date of release. (The Long-Term Servicing Channel replaces the Long-Term Servicing Branch [LTSB].)
  

Quindi la terminologia Semi-Annual Channel sostituirà le attuali Current Branch [CB] e Current Branch for Business [CBB] mentre Long-Term Servicing Channel sostituirà l’attuale Long-Term Servicing Branch [LTSB]. Per quanto riguarda l’LTSC la frequenza di rilascio di una nuova release sarà di 2-3 anni e continuerà a supportare per 10 anni ogni release, quindi la prima release LTSC successiva alla LTSB 2016 dovrebbe arrivare nel 2019.

La medesima informazione viene già anche riportata nella pagina di TechNet Windows 10 release information dedicata alle release di Windows 10:

Microsoft has updated its servicing model. The Semi-Annual Channel is a twice-per-year feature update release targeting March and September, and 18-month servicing timelines for each release. The Semi-Annual Channel replaces the Current Branch (CB) and Current Branch for Business (CBB) concepts starting July 2017 with Windows 10, version 1703. This page is designed to help you determine if your devices are up to date with the latest Windows 10 feature and quality updates and to plan deployment schedules.