Outdated desktop systems restricted employee flexibility
THE SOLUTION
Deploy Surface devices with tailored digital skills training
THE RESULTS
Improved user satisfaction, efficiency, and workplace flexibility
Overview
Hornsby Shire Council, located in Sydney’s northern suburbs, found itself navigating rapid change in early 2020. With a rigid virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), thin clients tethered to desks, and increasing pressure to support hybrid work, the Council needed a more flexible solution. The arrival of COVID-19, coupled with an unexpected office evacuation, triggered a complete transformation of their end-user computing strategy.
Through a close partnership with ASI Solutions, Hornsby Shire Council rolled out Microsoft Surface devices across its workforce and launched a robust digital skills uplift program, radically improving efficiency, satisfaction, and security.
In a recent webinar, Sharon Bowman, CIO of Hornsby Shire Council, shared the Council’s journey, from the challenges of outdated systems to the measurable impact of Surface and skills training.
Challenge
When Sharon Bowman joined Hornsby Shire Council in January 2020, staff were still using thin clients to connect to a central virtual desktop infrastructure. Employees hauled paper to meetings, scribbled notes by hand, and often struggled to retrieve information. The VDI setup, while technically enabling remote access, lacked the flexibility and performance to support modern workstyles, especially in the face of COVID-induced lockdowns.
The Council needed a more agile solution that could support both field and office workers, streamline operations, and lift digital confidence across the workforce.
Solution
Hornsby Shire Council worked with ASI to implement a full suite of Microsoft Surface devices powered by Intel® Core™ Ultra processors, replacing thin clients with powerful, mobile-ready tools that empowered staff to work anywhere, from home offices to field inspections. The Council rolled out Surface Pro and Surface Laptop devices, with hands-on demo spaces allowing staff to choose what worked best for them.
Simultaneously, the Council launched a digital skills uplift initiative, delivered through ASI’s Digital Skills Coach Program, that equipped users with practical skills in OneNote, inking, and the broader Microsoft 365 suite. Training sessions, including face-to-face workshops and coaching, revealed hidden efficiencies and boosted adoption across departments.
With ASI’s help, Hornsby also deployed Intune for simplified, secure device management, allowing new devices to be configured in minutes.
Even people in IT had so much to learn about the capabilities built into Surface and Microsoft 365. Once staff attended skills sessions, they realised just how much more effective they could be. Training was the real sweet spot for unlocking value.
Sharon Bowman, CIO, Hornsby Shire Council
Results
The shift to Surface and cloud-first tools has transformed how Hornsby Shire Council works. Staff no longer carry paper into meetings; field officers input data on-site, and IT support tickets have dropped thanks to more reliable devices. The digital skills training uncovered major productivity wins, even among tech-savvy teams.
Security has improved markedly, with managed, uniform devices replacing the hodgepodge of home computers used during the early pandemic. The Surface rollout also aligned with the Council’s cloud migration strategy, removing the need for expensive on-prem infrastructure.
One of the big wins is knowing every device is secure and controlled. I was never comfortable with staff using personal home computers for work. Now we have confidence in the fleet, and that makes a huge difference.
Sharon Bowman, CIO, Hornsby Shire Council
Some of the key outcomes include:
Boosted flexibility with Surface devices tailored to user roles
Increased productivity across departments through digital skills training
Workforce security strengthened through managed device deployment
