It seems that the Internet browser market is in for a revolution with a plethora of new products which are not only smarter but safer to bet upon for enterprises.

Security access, faster interface and advance search apart from the compatibility with the other softwares is compared are the criterions that one primarily looks for while choosing a browser.

Internet Explorer is the top Web browser in the enterprise market till date. But the latest versions of Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome outshine the Microsoft’s browser in terms of innovation.

According to the recent research, Internet Explorer commands about 78 percent of the enterprise market. At number two, Mozilla Firefox has 18.2 percent of the market, while Google Chrome and Apple Safari lag behind in single digits.

The Internet Explorer however has more market share owing to its features and due to its inbuilt application support all across the enterprise gamut. Also, Internet Explorer is the only browser that can support enterprise applications.

The most recent development that is eagerly awaited is the Windows 7 arrival around the 22nd of October. Microsoft has been regularly criticized for its policies, which make it difficult for users to install and use another Web browser on Microsoft’s operating system. Therefore, Microsoft announced recently that it has changed its Internet Explorer 8 default settings so that users can also select other browsers.

Meanwhile, Microsoft has backed off its earlier decision to bring the Windows 7 without Internet Explorer. The company had made these announcements to settle a dispute with EU. However, as per the latest developments company has abandoned any such plans and is focusing to bring Internet Explorer bundled with its new operating system, as always.

Here are some factors, which take various organizations to switch for alternative browser.

1.    Internet Explorer is following others in the field of innovations. Microsoft had introduced option of additional tabs in same window only in IE 7 version, whereas Firefox, Safari and even Opera already have the facility.

2.    In competing web browsers, users can search in the address bar and even change the search engine of its choice, change personal settings to improve the browser's performance, which increases productivity.

3.    According to various analysts, the search features of Firefox or Opera are far more advanced than Internet Explorer's. In the latest version, the search options of IE8 are getting much better, but it needs to do more.

4.    In its latest version, Mozilla offers more than 6500 add-on to its users. These add-ons improve productivity and extend perfection in the search. Internet explorer lacks such R&D and productivity tools.

5.    In various researches, it is found that there is no comparison between Internet Explorer's speeds and those of Firefox and Chrome. Microsoft has promised that new versions of its browser will be faster, but at present, Internet Explorer is slow compared with the competition.

6.    The software giant had issued several security patches for the Internet Explorer, which regularly experienced serious security issues since it was first released. For comparison, Firefox and Chrome are more secure.

7.    For more convenience, both Safari and Chrome have integrated company applications like Google Docs for Chrome and Safari integrates well with Mac and iPhone apps. Microsoft lacks many of these features.

Conclusion
In recent times, Microsoft has lost heavily to the Firefox, Chrome and Opera in web browser’s market share. In fact, Internet Explorer, which once held 78%, now controls just 55%. But, Internet Explorer tops the chart and provides the enterprise with what it thinks it needs today. but, with more and more new opportunities coming with new browsers, the market share of the leader will certainly get effected.

Anuj Kumar/ITvoir Network