Guardian newspaper migrates to Google Apps

Microsoft shown the door as publishing group introduces collaborative tools

Google-based tools can help reduce storage and maintenance-related costs

The Guardian News and Media Group is moving to Google Apps to encourage a more collaborative working environment.

Following the successful use of the web-based tools by reporting staff during the Beijing Olympics, the publisher has decided to completely switch from Microsoft tools to Google Docs, Calendar, Sites and Video applications, which will cover around 2,400 users.

It is expected that staff email will also migrate to the Google platform early this year.

"Google Apps delivers on the promise of collaborative working and is so straightforward and familiar that we knew our users would embrace the technology," said Guardian’s technology director of enterprise operations Andy Beale.

Apart from cost savings generated by the reduction of storage, server and application maintenance, reports suggested that the use of the web-based systems is also expected to free up a third of support time spent by IT teams at the media firm.