EKZ workplace becomes “overwhelmingly positive” with Microsoft Surface devices

Elektrizitätswerke des Kantons Zürich (EKZ) generates 100% renewable energy that powers the Canton of Zurich. Nearly a million people rely on its power grid, which is more than 15,000 kilometers long and is available 99.998% of the time. Through its subsidiaries, EKZ provides services for electrical installations, solar panels, safety tests, and energy consulting. All of this makes EKZ one of the largest power providers in Switzerland and, when it comes to reliable, renewable energy, one of the most innovative. 

Stephan Pfister manages the Modern Workplace project for EKZ. “We are committed to a sustainable energy future,” he says, “with the consistent expansion of wind, water, and solar energy as well as smart technologies such as charging solutions for electromobility.”

Dynamic, state-of-the-art companies are usually powered by energetic, groundbreaking employees, and EKZ is no exception. Work styles and workplace technologies fuel each other’s advancement, and EKZ saw an opportunity to help its employees work more flexibly and productively. “We decided to establish the Modern Workplace at EKZ,” Pfister says.

At the time, EKZ employees were using either thin-client devices with Citrix access or laptops with locally installed software managed by Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager. “There was very little innovation within either architecture, and working with Citrix became increasingly cumbersome,” Pfister recalls. “The decision to modernize automatically resulted in a realignment of the client landscape, and this was the starting signal for a completely new solution and architecture. One of the most important project goals was to remove all thin clients and provide employees with a modern, mobile workplace.”

Some EKZ employees are classic information workers, primarily in office settings. But being an energy utility necessitates a wide range of front-line experiences, from monitoring large electric-plant equipment to configuring consumers’ solar panels and smart homes. “The very different working methods and requirements were a big challenge,” continues Pfister. “My job was to implement these requirements in the best possible way and to ensure daily frontline work without neglecting or even reducing the innovation of the workplace.”

Pfister found in Microsoft Switzerland a very willing and engaged partner. “From the very beginning we received excellent support,” he says. “Shortly after placing the request, the devices were demonstrated to us directly at Microsoft Switzerland and all technical questions were answered. The test was also quick and uncomplicated and helped us to make rapid progress with the evaluation process.”

With 500 thin clients to replace, EKZ compared Microsoft Surface devices with laptops from its legacy outsourcing partner. “We focused on a good selection of modern, touch-screen devices and the best possible multimedia integration with Microsoft Teams,” Pfister explains. “The ease of administration and obtaining all drivers and updates via the Windows Update function was another crucial point.”

Having decided to move forward with Microsoft Surface exclusively, it was time to excite the employees. “We held a roadshow with our distributor at our major locations and presented a variety of Surface Pro and Surface Laptop devices to our employees,” says Pfister. “Each employee got to decide which device would best suit his needs.”

Rolling out the new Surface devices was made easier with Windows Autopilot, according to Pfister. “That was a very important piece of the puzzle,” he emphasizes. “Our aim was to hand over the device to each individual personally and with an introduction. With the automated booking system and the associated initial setup using Autopilot, we were able to automate a lot and eliminate sources of error.”

Now equipped with modern devices that combine performance and security with versatility and adaptability, EKZ employees are validating Pfister’s decision on a daily basis. “The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” Pfister reports. “The integration of Microsoft Surface devices and the associated Microsoft Office online services is definitely a big positive change for our employees.”

“We really put a lot of effort in online trainings, where our champions showed the usage of Teams and OneDrive,” elaborates Pfister. “Also, the move from a static file share to a collaboration platform was a huge success, since we operate as four companies that must work together. The Microsoft Online tools help a lot to improve the daily work across all different companies and departments.”

“We are seeing enormous progress in digitalization and collaboration in the individual departments,” Pfister adds. “We also promote cross-departmental collaboration because data can be provided quickly, securely, and easily from anywhere, and this makes us attractive and innovative as an employer for new talent.”

“Our workplace strategy will continue to focus on Microsoft Surfaces in the future and follow the innovations in the product range with excitement,” Pfister concludes. “The next big step will be to replace our CAD laptops with Surface Studio devices.”  

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