Windows 7Customer Solution Case Study

Retailer Saves Time with Efficient Notebook PCs and Operating System Solution

OverviewCountry or Region: United StatesIndustry: Specialty retailing—Sporting goods

Customer ProfileSince 1882, Duluth Pack has offered functional and innovative backpacks, briefcases, and luggage solutions from its flagship store in Duluth, Minnesota and its newer online store.

Business SituationDuluth Pack sought a computer system with faster performance, easier and more intuitive functionality, quicker search capabilities, and environmentally-friendly production and functionality.

SolutionWindows 7 Professional and HP ProBook 5310m deliver improved speed and performance, better search and usability, and a reduced environmental impact.

Benefits Increased productivity with faster

startup times

"The combination of Windows 7 Professional and HP is exciting—I really like it. I was a little nervous about transitioning to the new system at first, but it's been really good for us."

Susi Anderson, Office Manager, Duluth Pack

With more than a century of experience producing quality backpacks, canoe packs, and fine luggage, Duluth Pack was founded by American pioneers long before computers were even imagined as a necessary part of doing business. Today, Duluth Pack operates out of its flagship store in Duluth, Minnesota, and runs a busy online shop, all run with about 25 computers. The company prides itself on providing thorough, responsive service to each and every customer and partner, with its computing systems making up a vital part of everyday operations. Duluth Pack needed an advanced operating system that would enable its employees to work more quickly and intuitively. The company sought faster response times, more efficient search capabilities, and tools that would allow for easy multitasking across several applications. Environmental impact was also a concern.

Works the way you want

SituationFounded in 1882, Duluth Pack is an American institution, offering a variety of backpacks, briefcases, fine luggage, canoe packs, hiking gear, and other canvas and leather wares from its store in Duluth, Minnesota. The company also operates a booming online business that sells to other stores and suppliers as well as individual customers.

Each piece of Duluth Pack merchandise is handmade in the company's hometown. The commitment to individual excellence extends to the business and sales teams; many of the company’s online sales rely on personal communication with customers and retailers, requiring quick response times and reliable connections.

Duluth Pack's Office Manager, Susi Anderson, spends most of her time working on computers, handling financial and payroll documentation and responding to customer inquiries. She encountered some sluggishness and limitations with her computer, especially when she needed to access multiple documents with similar names, or use several programs simultaneously.

Duluth Pack needed a high-performance system that would accommodate employees’ work styles and empower them to become more efficient. It also hoped to extend notebook battery life and reduce the environmental impact of its IT systems.

SolutionIn the HP ProBook 5310m running the Windows 7 Professional operating system, Duluth Pack found a solution to its

challenges.* The speed and ease-of-use of Windows 7 Professional has dramatically improved overall performance, while the HP ProBook offers extended battery life and features designed with the environment in mind that are a perfect fit for Duluth's needs.

Anderson was initially reluctant to try the new computers, but found that they offered a vast improvement over previous models. "The combination of Windows 7 Professional and HP is exciting–I really like it," she says. "I was a little nervous about transitioning to the new system at first, but it's been really good for us."

Benefits

Getting More Done with Ease and EfficiencyThe most dramatic change for Duluth Pack was the increased speed, efficiency, and ease-of-use with the new HP ProBook 5310m and Windows 7 Professional. The new system starts up and shuts down much more quickly, and is vastly more reliable in returning from stand-by mode.

"Coming from my old notebook, restarts seem lightning fast,” Anderson notes. “It’s a matter of seconds instead of minutes."**

The improved functionality of Windows Search has also been very useful, "I’ve found Windows Search to be very helpful,” says Anderson. “It seems much more user-friendly than searching with Windows XP."

The new Aero desktop personalization has afforded Duluth employees additional flexibility in accessing files and working

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"Coming from my old notebook, restarts seem lightning fast. It’s a matter of seconds instead of minutes."

Susi Anderson, Office Manager, Duluth Pack

with several applications simultaneously, such as when processing payroll and bookkeeping.

Snap allows users to instantly align two documents or applications side by side to easily cross-reference or copy information. "For data entry, when we need to access multiple Microsoft Office Excel spreadsheets, the Snap feature is very useful,” Anderson points out. “You can have all the information right there for quick and easy comparison."

She also praises the new HP computers for their classic, business-like appearance and durability. "The HP ProBook 5310m is very thin and sleek, but it’s obviously a sturdy machine,” says Anderson. “I like the look and feel of it, and I was very impressed with the resolution."

Other features, like the secure data (SD) card reader, make it easier for employees to access information—such as last-minute requests from customers for additional product photos—and get it to where it needs to go.

Employees have also gained significant time savings using the Windows Explorer folder on the desktop task bar. “Now we’re just one click away from all of our directories and libraries,” Anderson notes. “We have all our recent places, downloads, and documents right at our fingertips.”

Improved Confidentiality with Enhanced Security FeaturesAnother big improvement for Duluth Pack is the improved security features offered by the HP ProBook 5310m and Windows 7

Professional. The company uses Drive Encryption to safeguard sensitive information such as employee records, social security numbers, health and dental plans, and financial data.

With the promise of fast resume, employees are also in the habit of using the Sleep function as a quick security tool. By putting the computer into hibernation mode before stepping away from their desks, they’re able to prevent unauthorized viewing of sensitive data.

Reduced Environmental Impact Duluth Pack also praises the new HP ProBook 5310m for its functionality designed with the environment in mind. The ProBook 5310m is BFR/PVC-free***. It also consumes less power, making it a smart choice in terms of energy consumption.

The company has always been focused on the environmental impact of its manufacturing process and materials, so this computer—designed with the environment in mind—is a perfect fit with the company’s philosophy. "We’re always looking for ways to incorporate ‘green’ solutions and reduce our impact on the environment," says Anderson. "It's very important to us in what we produce, and what we consume."

* As part of the solution deployment through the Windows 7 SMB Evidence Program, the customer received complimentary notebooks and technical support from Microsoft and HP.

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"We’re always looking for ways to incorporate ‘green’ solutions and reduce our impact on the environment. It's very important to us in what we produce, and what we consume."

Susi Anderson, Office Manager, Duluth Pack

** New HP Business laptops with Windows 7 can start up to 41 percent faster and have shut-down times that are up to 30 percent faster than an older laptop. Test results compare HP 5310 systems with identical configurations with one system running Windows XP Professional SP3 (Genuine) and the second system running Windows 7 Professional (Genuine). Actual results may vary based on system configuration and performance will vary over time depending on software installed.

*** Meeting the evolving definition of 'BFR/PVC-free' as set forth in the "iNEMI Position Statement on the 'Definition of Low-Halogen' Electronics (BFR/CFR/PVC-Free)’". Plastic parts contain < 1000 ppm (0.1 percent) of bromine [if the Br source is from BFRs] and < 1000 ppm (0.1 percent) of chlorine [if the Cl source is from CFRs or PVC or PVC copolymers]. Power supply and power cords are not BFR/PVC-free. Service parts after purchase may not be BFR/PVC-free.Windows 7Works the way you want: Windows 7 will help your organization use information technology to gain a competitive advantage in today’s new world of work. Your people will be able to be more productive anywhere. You will be able to support your mobile workforce with better access to shared data and collaboration tools. And your IT staff will have better tools and technologies for enhanced corporate IT security and data protection,

and more efficient deployment and management.

For more information about Windows 7, go to:www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7

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For More InformationFor more information about Microsoft products and services, call the Microsoft Sales Information Center at (800) 426-9400. In Canada, call the Microsoft Canada Information Centre at (877) 568-2495. Customers in the United States and Canada who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can reach Microsoft text telephone (TTY/TDD) services at (800) 892-5234. Outside the 50 United States and Canada, please contact your local Microsoft subsidiary. To access information using the World Wide Web, go to:www.microsoft.com

For more information about HP ProBook 5310m products and services, call (800) 888-9909 or visit the website at: www.hp.com/go/notebooks

For more information about Duluth Pack products and services, call (800) 777-4439 or visit the website at: www.duluthpack.com

This case study is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY.

Document published September 2010

Software and Services Windows 7 Professional

Hardware HP ProBook 5310m

Partner HP