Google wins biggest Google Apps contract

Manufacturer Valeo is the first company to use Google Apps globally 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.