Case Study: Australian Government Department of Human Services achieves faster service delivery with Microsoft Windows 10 and UWP apps

Windows 10 and universal apps trial bridge gap for services in Australian outback

The Australian Government Department of Human Services faced the challenge of delivering social and health benefits across a vast country, where both its remote employees and the citizens they served were separated by great distances. Their 35,000 staff needed reliable technology, but the existing IT infrastructure was difficult to manage and generated a high volume of support calls. To improve services, they sought a new platform from Microsoft that would enable easier device management and the creation of innovative applications.

Microsoft worked with the department to deploy Windows 10 to 44,000 devices in just four months, a process that was significantly faster than previous upgrades. The new operating system, along with tools like System Center Configuration Manager, made devices more reliable and easier to support, leading to a 40 percent reduction in support calls. Furthermore, using the Universal Windows Platform, Microsoft's technology enabled the department's staff to build their own apps, such as a video-interview tool that cuts down on claimant travel times and expedites the delivery of crucial services.

Australian Government Department of Human Services

Gary Sterrenberg

Chief Information Officer