Woolworths is currently undertaking a large technology transformation project which will see Google’s Chrome OS devices account for 85 per cent of business devices being used by the supermarket giant’s staff, replacing the majority of the company’s current Windows devices.
Woolworths’ acting CIO, Damon Rees, has stated that in an interview with Computerworld that “We are currently trialling several types of Chromebooks and Chromeboxes to identify those most suitable for our environment.” Between the company’s technology and business teams, they currently have around 500 Chrome devices.
Woolworths originally announced 12 months ago that it would transition to Google Apps and Chrome and Rees has stated that migration is part of a larger transformation program within the company.
Rees has stated that:
“Overall the program will replace a legacy Microsoft Email platform with Google mail, introduce richer collaboration features using the broader Google Apps suite, and replace a legacy Windows XP desktop with a far superior Web-based desktop delivery method using Citrix.” and “This will provide our users with greater options in device choices including ‘bring your own device’ and Chromebooks.”
Rees continued to state within the interview that:
“Embracing a Chrome device strategy in an enterprise setting has been made possible with recent advances in Citrix with its web-based delivery technology, enabling Woolworths to make the transition from legacy thick client application access to cloud like browser based delivery,”
Currently the company is also trialing and testing Chromeboxes for videoconferencing meetings, a feature which Google recently announced as part of a wider push into the enterprise marketplace. The transition to Google Apps and Chrome has paid off as well, according to Rees:
Google, Citrix and Chrome together meet these aims, as well as simplifying our support and administrative processes, whilst simultaneously reducing our IT infrastructure costs.
We here at Ausdroid are excited to see an Aussie company trial Google’s Chrome OS devices to see how they will work within their business and hope to see more Aussie companies take part in these trials soon.
