One of the strengths of Windows Phone is its integration with the Microsoft stack commonly used in business.

This fact helped Australian confectionary company Sara Lee choose phones running that OS for their enterprise deployment.

The company has so far deployed 70 handsets to factory floor workers, sales and administrative staff and boardroom executives. They are also considering a move to Windows Phone 8 in the future.

â€œNokiaâ€™s reputation for building quality, feature-rich devices, as well as its proven track record in the field were key factors in our decision to deploy Lumia,â€ said Sara Lee’s IT program manager, Michael Holt.

â€œWe considered alternatives such as iPhone and Samsung. However, Nokia Lumia was a clear winner,â€ Holt said. â€œThe Windows Phone platform offers a stronger enterprise solution, which provides better back and front office integration for the Sara Lee business.â€

Integration with Microsoft Lync enterprise voice was a major selling point, Holt said.

â€œWe have effectively been able to utilise our own enterprise telephony solution directly from the mobile device.â€ Holt also liked how the phone connected to Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer, and the inclusion of Nokia apps like Nokia Drive, he said. â€œStaff are now able to access and edit documents on the fly and exchange sales collateral with customers.â€

After Microsoft and Nokia training sessions staff acceptance has also been good.

â€œFeedback about the live tiles has been particularly positive, staff can get the most fundamental tasks done much more quickly and there is more information available on the home screen compared to the static Android or iOS set up,â€ Holt said.

Windows Phone has had a slow start in Australia, with recent surveys pegging the OS at 3.8 market share.

Via Computerworld.com.au