(BuildingWebsiteNews) Capgemini to Support Google Software - The Associated Press

The partnership to be announced Monday represents the first time one of the world's top technology consulting services has embraced Google's software bundle, which includes e-mail, word processing, spreadsheets and calendar management. Hoping to diversify beyond the online advertising market that generates most of its revenue, Mountain View-based Google in February began selling a souped-up version of its office applications for a $50 annual fee per user. While the low cost has appealed to small businesses and universities operating on tight budgets, Google has had a tougher time winning over large companies — a market segment more likely to worry about other key issues besides price. Google's software package will gain greater credibility now that Capgemini has agreed to support the applications and help integrate them, predicted Forrester Research analyst Ray Wang. Capgemini's involvement also will help more businesses better understand when it makes sense to subscribe to Google's applications instead of paying higher licensing and maintenance fees for similar products from Microsoft, IBM and other vendors, said Ovum analyst Tom Kucharvy. read more

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