Manufacturer Valeo is the first company to useGoogle Appsglobally after it signed a deal to use
the software as a service (SaaS) for three years.
About 30,000 workers will use Google's software, which is
delivered over the internet as a
cloud computing service.
The automotive components maker wants to reduce its
administration costs so is using a communication and collaboration
platform based on Google Apps Premier Edition. Valeo has 192
locations in 27 countries.
Capgemini will support the service.
"We were searching for an innovative way to reduce significantly
our office infrastructure costs while simultaneously improving user
collaboration and productivity," said André Gold, Valeo's technical
senior vice-president. "Our pilot projects demonstrate that this
target is achievable."
The company will roll out the service throughout 2009. Users
will initially use online documents, video management and instant
messaging, including voice and video chat, to improve teamwork.
Other applications which will be taken up include enterprise
directory and workflow tools to automate administrative processes.
They will eventually use Google mail, calendar, search and online
translation.