Google teams up with Salesforce

Partnership delivers new cloud computing suite

Google has teamed up with Salesforce.com to offer the on-demand pioneer's customers access to its range of internet-based productivity tools.

Salesforce for Google Apps will combine Google's email, calendaring, documents, spreadsheets, presentations and instant messaging, with the customer relationship management functions available from Salesforce such as sales, marketing, service and support.

“People have offered up a constant stream of requests to streamline even more of the CRM process,” noted Scott McMullan, Google Apps partner lead, in a Google blog. “At the top of the list are everyday tasks like improved efficiency sending and sharing account emails, easier ways to create and share documents and presentations, and simpler ways to schedule meetings and events."

The Salesforce and Gmail combination will allow businesses to store email communication and keep records of customer interactions. Google Talk conversations will also be able to be attached to customer records stored in Salesforce. Additionally the Salesforce tie-up with Google Docs will allow users to share documents, spreadsheets and presentations with the rest of their marketing team.

The new product is available to all Salesforce.com customers at no additional charge.