Data#3 deploys Windows 8 to staff

Technology integrator Data#3 is rolling out Windows 8 to its 1000 staff in a bid to be the first Surface-equipped organisation in Australia.

Managing director John Grant said the company's new Victorian headquarters, opened last week, was on track to become one of the first to deploy Windows 8 to its 80 employees.

"We're a technology company, so obviously we want our people using the best technologies because they're out with our customers and our partners every day," Grant said. 

"We need to take advantage of new technologies that are going to be mainstream and an example of that is Microsoft's new OS. 

"We were one of the first organisations in the country to roll out Windows 7 and we intend to do the same with Windows 8."

Data#3's new office was designed for a mobile, flexible workforce with secure high-speed wireless access throughout the building.

"It's a workgroup orientated environment with no offices," Grant said. "When our people need to work independently, they can do so anywhere [in the building]. It really changes the way our premises are used by people to do their business."

The company planned to roll out a combination of Windows 8 tablets, phones, laptops and desktop PCs to its employees.

Grant declined to go into hardware specifics, but confirmed that Microsoft's Surface tablets would "certainly" be part of the rollout.

"The thing about Windows 8 is that you get the same interface and operating system environment from the phone through to the tablets, laptops and PCs. So I expect we'll be purchasing examples of all of these devices," Grant said.

"The key point is; we use the technologies that we sell to our customers and Windows 8 is obviously going to be a part of that."

Grant did not give a specific timeframe for the rollout.