After a recent decision to move to Google Apps, supermarket giant Woolworths has announced an IT transformation program, confirming it will phase out its huge collection of Microsoft Windows desktops in favour of Google Chrome OS devices.
The company will roll out 8000 Google Chrome OS devices, believed to be the largest such deployment in the world, reports Business Spectator.
Chrome OS will provide seamless integration with the recently adopted Google Apps platform and is aimed at saving the company on IT infrastructure costs. With a Google Apps domain, the Chrome OS device can be managed via a web console.
The switch is a blow for Microsoft, which has been attempting to rival Google with its own cloud-based Office 365 platform in Australia.
Woolworths program director Deon Ludick told The Australian the company would rely on a number of providers for the Chrome OS devices.
The company is expected to reveal more details in the coming weeks.
Kirsten Robb is a former journalist at SmartCompany. Previously, she worked at News Corp as a property reporter for Leader Newspapers and the Herald Sun, and holds a Masters of Journalism at Melbourne University.
