Tough Economic Times Give Google a Shot at Communications

S. O'Boyle

Summary Bullets:         

• Communications and collaboration-as-a-service strategies should include the option of Google as well as Microsoft and Cisco.  Many service providers support Microsoft Lync and increasing numbers support Office 365, but few in Europe offer Google Apps. 
• For service providers, the need to add value on top of application providers (Google, Microsoft, whoever) is critical.  This could mean SIP trunking, QoS on video, application performance SLAs, and even training and support; for those integrators with the IT skills customization, it could also mean workspace management and application business process integration.

Consider the inroads Microsoft has made into the communications and collaboration market in just a few years, starting from a position of strength in e-mail.  Google is not there yet, but it is gaining ground, as shown by its recent large enterprise win in Spain.

The Public Sector is Jumping on the Cloud Bandwagon

A. DeCarlo

Summary Bullets:

• More governments are exploring cloud services as a means to increase their operational efficiency, responsiveness and to slash expenses.
• Extensive regulatory restrictions call into question just how ‘cloud’ (and therefore effective) implementations can be in achieving their objectives.

The public sector is not usually known for being on the leading edge of the adoption curve for new information technology. But governments around the world have been very vocal in their enthusiasm about the flexibility and cost benefits that the on-demand computing model promises.  The U.S. federal government is actually writing cloud adoption into policy with its Cloud First initiative, which stipulates agencies procuring new IT sourcing solutions must choose a cloud option when a stable, secure and cost-effective offer is available.  The UK is experimenting with similar mandates, and has solicited bids for suppliers to join its G-Cloud network of suppliers offering on-demand services.