Z Energy is the company that helps keep thousands of Kiwis moving every day.
WHEN THE FUEL
distributor and service station operator prepared to refresh computers for each of its 450 employees, Z looked for a solution that would keep its workforce moving too. With a nationwide network of 340 Z and Caltex branded service stations, Z needed lightweight devices that would allow its mobile workforce to stay productive as they travelled, while keeping their work secure.
The solution was the Surface Pro, the light and versatile laptop and tablet from Microsoft. With the Surface Pro 6, Microsoft has won plaudits all over the world for a stylish and speedy device that offers all-day battery life and the full Windows 10 experience on the move.
ONE SOLUTION
Z initially considered two models – a traditional laptop for staff in the office and something more portable for those regularly hitting the road. But trials of the Surface Pro at Z proved that it was perfect for both needs.
“We decided to have just one device to simplify and reduce our support footprint,” says Z’s chief financial officer Chris Day.
“It also needed to be something that our people actually wanted and would become attached to because of ease of use.”
The Surface Pro’s touchscreen, detachable keyboard cover and Surface Pen certainly provided that, allowing Z team members to transition from laptop to tablet based on the need. The Surface Pen has changed the way they work,” says Day. “You can see it in meetings with the Pens used for notes. It is much more collaborative.” Using the Surface Pros in conjunction with other Microsoft products, such as Office 365, OneDrive, Sharepoint Online, Microsoft Teams and the Surface Hubs, pushed that collaboration even further, allowing Z staff to work on documents together, hold interactive whiteboard sessions and log into video meetings from their devices. The inclusion of high-speed wireless in the Surface Pros means staff can stay connected wherever there is mobile coverage and boosts security by eliminating their need to log on to public Wi-Fi networks.
The Z team works one-third faster and one-third smarter with the Surface Pro putting information and productivity tools at their fingertips
THE BUSINESS ADVANTAGE
Choosing Microsoft Surface for Business also offered Z extra benefits above and beyond the consumer versions of the devices, including enterprise-grade security with Windows 10 Pro, faster processor speed and premium support. Having Microsoft directly involved in the upgrade smoothed the way for Z, says Day. “We moved to a more efficient roll out plan that allowed us to deliver hundreds of devices across the country in three months with a team of only four people.” The result is a more productive and collaborative workforce that has more time to connect with customers. Day estimates the Z team works one-third faster and one-third smarter with the Surface Pro putting information and productivity tools at their fingertips, wherever they are. And with the Surface Laptop 2 and Surface Studio 2, Microsoft covers the full range of needs for business customers looking to tap into the unique benefits Z’s entire workforce now enjoys.
For more information and to find out how your organisation can utilise Surface for Business, visit #SurfaceForBusiness