...Colleges and the Public Sector

Surface seen as the perfect fit for the public sector’s predominantly Windows-centric IT infrastructures

Inbound enquiries up 40% since announcing the availability of Surface at Phoenix

Phoenix launching internal BYOD initiative to officially support Surface after employee demand

York, UK, 30 August 2013: Following the announcement that Phoenix Software can now offer the Microsoft Surface to its customers, the company has experienced a surge in demand for the devices from schools, colleges and public sector organisations alike as they look to capitalise on the devices’ interoperability and enhanced functionality with their existing Windows-based infrastructures.

Inbound enquiries to the company’s public sector team have jumped 40% since the announcement was made 15th August, resulting in Phoenix increasing the size of its public sector team by 30% to cater for the increased demand. The desirability of the devices has been reflected internally within the business too, with Phoenix now adopting a BYOD policy after many of its staff took advantage of the company’s staff purchase scheme (where staff could buy the Surface devices at cost). Take up of the device within the scheme has been strong across the board from directors down to junior staff all looking to take advantage of the devices in the workplace.

“We expected the availability of Microsoft’s Surface devices through Phoenix Software to receive a positive reaction from our customers, but we could never have anticipated the level of interest that we have seen,” comments Sam Mudd, Director at Phoenix Software. “While many of our customers have experimented with iPads and other tablet devices in recent years, it would appear that the attraction of an entirely Windows 8 environment across both PCs and tablets - from both an infrastructure management and familiarity point of view - has really hit the mark.”

In addition to the significant compatibility benefits between Microsoft Surface devices and an organisation’s Windows-centric network, Surface has a number of additional features over Apple’s iPad and many other Android-based tablets that make them particularly suited to the public sector, such as an inbuilt microSD and USB ports, preinstalled Microsoft Office, multi-user support and the option of a physical keyboard via the Touch Cover.

Speaking anecdotally of her son’s own experience which reflects the trend seen by Phoenix, Mudd comments, “My 12 year old son has been an iPad fan for years, however he recently bought a Surface RT for his return to school next week. He is now ready to ditch his iPad and switch to the Surface full time as it gives him a better experience of using touch Windows while at the same time it replicates the IT suite environment that he uses at school.”

“The last two weeks have really shown the pivotal role that the Surface is playing in Microsoft’s Windows 8 adoption strategy,” concludes Mudd.

CONTACT: Sam Mudd, Director at Phoenix Software on 0845 265 1265