Surface Pro 3 gets big commitments from big businesses

Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 is an impressive device, enough so that a number of big businesses have committed to purchasing the tablet. Microsoft today revealed that Coca-Cola, Louis Vuitton, and BMW will all be deploying the Surface Pro 3 in their organizations, with many using it to replace traditional laptops.

As technology changes, companies must do so as well. Where the need to supply both a laptop and iPad (or other tablet) to employees for company use was the norm, now two devices can be replaced with just one — saving money and keeping employees on the latest technology.

As Jim Scholefield, Chief Technology Officer at The Coca-Cola Company noted:

The size, scale and complexity of our environment require us to explore best in class technology. With personal productivity platforms converging between PC's and tablets we want to be able to leverage new form factors to enable our workforce to use devices that are highly mobile, easy to operate and provide the capability of a traditional PC.

This isn't just the case for large brands either. Organizations like Avanade and the Seattle Children's Hospital are also innovating with the Surface Pro 3 as well.

Of course going forward, more and more organizations are likely to ditch the dual-wielding of a laptop and tablet as well, in favor of more all-in-one devices as they explore new options and cost saving methods. The Surface tablet series has been by far the best selling Windows tablet, but it's been the lesser ARM-powered Surface RT and Surface 2 that have netted the most sales. With powerful internals, and impressive and larger display, and improved kickstand and keyboard cover, the Surface Pro 3 might just be the device that helps Windows 8 tablets start making serious inroads with business.

Source: Surface Blog

Getting his start writing about BlackBerry in 2008, Adam is the Editorial Director of High-Yield content at Future. Leading an outstanding team, he oversees many of the articles the publisher produces about subscriptions and services – VPN, TV streaming, and antivirus software. From buying guides and how to watch content, to deal news and in-depth reviews. Adam's work can be seen on numerous Future brands including TechRadar, Tom's Guide, T3, TTR, Android Central, iMore, and Real Homes.

122 Comments

Oh man, this is big for surface and windows 8
Yes but I would have waited. I'm sure this thing is going to need firmware updates to fix bugs. My original RT was always getting updates but lets wait and see.
Yes, they should wait until it stops getting updates. Wait, what?
^__~ I'm guessing some enterprise customers will remain on the fence to see if Microsoft refresh the Surface Pro 3 (And future SKUs) with Intel Broadwell CPUs.
Ahhh, deep and heavy sarcasm
My original RT is still always getting updates.
That's a very good reason why NOT to wait, you have been assured that you will get updates that will only improve the experience.
Wait for what. It is basically the same internal hardware as the surface 2. You RT is a first gen device. This is the 3rd gen. I'm sure there are still some bugs. You can never get rid of all of them. However, I'm sure this is way more polished that the original surface. The next gen of surface will probably use a new chipset and technology would change enough where you have new internal hardware. Waiting wouldn't really accomplish anything.
And thus commitments to buy Surface rather than actual purchases. There are already a few known bugs on the press units that went out that are being worked on, and I am sure that there will be more issues to iron out in the coming months before these companies pull the trigger of deployment. Still, the Pro line did not seem to have nearly as many firmware growing pains as the RT line did, so it should not take too long.
You should've waited to think your position through before posting this comment.
THIS......LOL
No wonder, I am getting Surface Pro 3 myselt. I think it has finally hit the sweet spot in terms of size, resolution, performance, battery life and of course the OS. Even Windows Store has matured enough to spark interest. Great job Microsoft!
It´s truly a great piece of tech. If I were still taking classes, the Surface Pro would be my computer of choice.
Yes, huge for MS but this news is old... Neowin announced this a day after the announcement by MS.
Hell yes, now just add some WP to the order.
After this move, WP will be the next logical step for many of these organizations.
Care to elaborate?
If you are trolling please go away.
For one. it will sync together better than using and android or ios device. The interfaces are similar. So, that might make it appealing.
It has started already. Posted via the WPC App for Android!
Congrats
she doesn't look very happy, because she can't get sp3 until august?
Wish microsoft supported iran :(
That isn't a Microsoft issue, but rather US Export restrictions.
Yep.
Also turkey
The surface is too powerful, it's considered a weapon.
This!
Microsoft is on the move and pretty swiftly.
This surely is great news. With surface pro 3 Microsoft may just get that market boost that they need. Please market properly Microsoft!
How long before apple attempt something similar?
They would first have to release a toaster and a fridge in order to attempt such a feat!
lol
Yes, they need one that can be both a toaster and a fridge.
I know what you're referencing!!! :)
I'm not sure if I feel smug or embarrassed for knowing this reference, haha.
I bet it won't take long.
what are they going to do, release an OSX ipad for all 10 OSX apps? lol.
Nope... right now, thousands of kids at Foxconn are gluing iPad Airs to the lids of MacBook Airs.
They are rumored to have invented this new feature where you can snap two apps side by side on ios8. They are so innovative. Lol.
Wow, first Apple managed to Magically add another row of icons, and now this! They are so innovative. Lol.
Slow and steady wins the race...
That is thoughts about SP3 and WP8.X
said nokia.
They need to sell it globally on all countries...
The Nokia acquisition will help with this. They have much more experience with developing and distributing hardware. Not sure how long it will take to integrate the Nokia hardware division into Microsoft.
Goood...
MUHAHAHAHA!
Awesome. Meanwhile my friend told me her company is shifting from win 7 to... Chromebooks! The horror! How will he get any work done??
Her company will be dead without privacy of her data one day
Don't worry those Chromebooks will make a fine paperweight!!!
For that I have nokia devices
I would quit immediately! Likely I would for a company that wouldn't be so foolish.
tell your friend, her CIO or CTO will be shifting to a new job, Chromebooks are DOA in an enterprise environement. City and County Government offices have tried this and it was a huge fail costing taxpayers!
I work for a huge banking company that is moving from Microsoft products to Google's online services. It hurts my heart.
I feel your pain
We tried google apps and our employees hated it. We are switching back to MS platform. We have google apps but all our employees are still using Office to get work done anyway. The number of gmail issues that we encountered this year was the last straw.
They'll be back.
I'd like to work there. I've always wanted to see a company go down in flames.
lol..gotta love the sarcasm
Here company can run on a web browser. Is all of their work done in the cloud? Are they on of the few companies that uses google docs over Micorosft Office?
The SP3 is going to be the real winner for the Surface brand. Still hope a Surface phone made of VaporMG eventually comes out. Nokia isn't exactly a sacred brand in the US anymore.
Prediction: SP3 will sale more than ALL surfaces combined in one to two quarters.
I agree
I hope so
I fear it will have the same effect as AT&T reps having Lumias. Meaning no effect at all.
ATT reps are a small group. If corporations start using the surfaces and the employees really get to know it and realize how useful it is, they will also buy the devices for home use.
I think all big organisation will see the benifice to use Surface 3
Any word on the S3 being more repair friendly? S1 was bad and S2 was even worse.
Sp3 is even worse. Face it, the era of easily repairable electronics is in our rear view mirror.
Ya...also means a big change in expectations for hardware upgrades and expansions for enterprise, too.
On the surface pro 3 it can only be repaired by Microsoft. If it's still under warranty its free tho.
here is my advise device quality (scale of 1-10 with 10 being best) = 10 / ifix it repirability rating. in othe words quality = 10 / ifix-rating
Do many companies send out laptops for repair? If it's not under warranty, I bet they just replace it.
The thru-hole components era of products has been virtually dead for a long time. With deep integration and custom forms, it's more economical to replace than repair, batteries being the exception, but even that can be expensive.
I think that this device will generate a family of whole new use cases for a handful of industries.
Excellent news! Now where's the i7, I want one!!!!
Finally... The surface is beginning to get the position it deserves... Hopefully.. It'll make Microsoft consider a wider release of the product
As I'm all for this. Really I am excites about this news! But I must ask??? How is upgrading and or changing tech so often saving money? Always been curious about this. I mean if they deployed laptops and ipads (shutters inside) only a year or two even 3 ago how is buying all new devices saving any money? I would think there's still life in said devices for a bit yet regardless of having to carry two devices around. I dunno.
As the tech ages it starts slowing down. Slow tech equals slow working employees. Buying the latest tech, ensure productivity and thus profits up. The saving money part comes from being able to purchase only the Surface, rather than a laptop and tablet for each employee.
The saving money part only works if they haven't yet bought devices already and are looking for new devices anyways. Having said that I can't see devices that aren't more than 3 years old being not able to function at regular speeds anymore. Unless some of them are just defective.
The company I work for has a 3 year refresh cycle now because of the hardware has generally crapped out by it's 3rd year. 100,000+ employees worldwide. There is a planning in place for a BYOD to be implemented in the next 10 years.
And that makes more sense with a 3 year cycle. I guess it would depend on how often these companies update there computer tech. But 10 years for a byod? Wow that's a long time in todays world.
They are waiting out the long timers to retire. The new employees will probably be given a preference in the next few years.
That's a big deal for MS and the Surface!
Yay Avanade
^^This!
That's great. Even in India Reliance industries. Are trying to get surface for their cheif managers. There trying to import from Microsoft as Reliance uses many Microsoft products like Lync,yammer,office 365 and outlook,
I'm so glad for MS and Windows.
Even the i3 model would be better and 10x more productive than the top of the range iPad.
so true
Big business can certainly afford them.
Meanwhile commenters say hurrrr durrrrr, this can't be good for anything, I'd rader have a laptop and an iPad.
he he. but if google had done it, it changes everything! then it can fail for 3 years in a row like the chromebooks, or never merit a re-make like the nexus 10, yet, it changed everything!
Wish I worked for one of those companies. The last company I worked at switched to chromebooks (about 3 yrs ago) and my current employer, despite actually using touchscreens in vehicles, is STILL using win95 with no plans to upgrade. Heck we only just recently upgraded (devs only) to 64bit machines!(Yay?)
your employer is outdated. I think he just checks gmail on his chrome books and wasting his time with deleting spam on his chromebooks
Your company should switch to paperless and go green. Instead of running Win95 to print out tons of papers, and then using all those chromebooks for paperweights.
That video is perfect..
I'm impressed MS. Keep up the good work!
This is good news and all but really its just the same old Microsoft catering to buisness, NOT consumers. Of course this stuff is going to be successful when it comes to big buisness, it replaces two devices that buisness have to support with one. Any IT manager would love to cut thier devices in half for sure. But where are the consumer side enhancements? The fact that everything was focused on business in this last demo has me somewhat concerned that Microsoft is going back to its roots in buisness and pulling back from its fight on the consumer stage. I hope they come up with some great things this fall focued on the consumer.
Getting businesses to transition to such a device will give exposure to consumers as well. Business users are also consumers with families. It will have a domino effect once people actually get trained in win8 tablets and USE them in day to day tasks...
+920
^^Exactly
Corporations are people, too! ;-)
You made me proud BMW
- 545i owner
Now if only they will implement MS tech only in there cars unlike what Volvo and many others are doing for apple.
SP3 port coming soon to your next BMW. (wishing)
They are be great for designers and engineers. That pen shouldn't be taken for granted and is well worth the extra price.
This is nice, but remember several million iPads have already been deployed to businesses.
That is why they are replacing the ipads(and rMBs) with Surface Pro3. No more lugging around both, and much lighter for the back and arm, when having carrying the lighter SP3.
True.
If they unify WP and W8 to run the same apps like they're planning, I think businesses will start to adopt the phones along with the tablets.
They use 'Powerpoint with their patients'? Why? Here is a graph of how totally screwed you are.
This is awesome for the Surface team. Good work Microsoft keep it up
If these enterprise adoptions keep up then people outside of businesses might start to buy SP3s too! Or know what they are if they see them in public at least...
Good for Microsoft...
But surface pro needs to lower it's cost a bit... Maybe find cheaper ways to produce the same technology...
I like the vision of a mobile solution with information at your fingertips in a distraction free way. I applaud the idea behind the use of the stylus in the field as advertised in this promo. It would come close to what I would like to have incorporated in my workflow. The main issue I have is an adequate inline ink to text recognition feature as sharing notes between collegues is not always legible and would save a lot of time if a "live" ink to text recognition feature was possible, while taking notes.
This is huge for Microsoft
nice i'm so happy to hear that about my favorite Gadget... and ofcourse my favorite Company... love you Microsoft!
Three cheers for wpcentral !
Third
A lot of enterprise customers are looking to upgrade their laptop within the next year. SP 3 is a good candidate. but for most consumers, SP 3 is priced out of reach..

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