Valeo, the french automotive company, published yesterday on its website a long-awaited press release regarding deployment of Google Apps for the whole group (30,000 employees, 193 sites, 27 countries) initiated from 2008.
We already mentioned it indirectly in December with our post dedicated to “Can large accounts adopt Google Apps?“, because Kimind has accompanied Valeo in this process since October 2007, both on the strategic aspects and on the implementation of internal pilots and support to the process and usage transformation practices for the true deployment.
It is a world first for Google, since it is the first time a group of this size adopt the full range of services provided by the Google Apps collaborative suite, in both messaging and collaborative dimensions. It is important also to note that Google Apps will gradually replace both the Microsoft Office suite and the collaborative Lotus Notes/Domino platform within Valeo. TechCrunch noticed it this morning with its “Google Cloud: 1 - MS Office: 0” post 
Hereunder is the official press release of Valeo (read full press release in their website) :
“Valeo today announced that the Group’s 30,000 Internet-connected employees now have access to a new communication and collaborative working platform based on Google Apps Premier Edition and supported by Capgemini.
The progressive roll-out of the new system is giving employees access to a suite of online products which will increase administrative efficiency and improve collaboration between the 193 Valeo entities in 27 countries.
“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.”
Valeo is deploying Google Apps, supported by Google’s partner Capgemini, in a phased approach throughout 2009. As a first step, users are being given access to Google sites, on-line documents, video management and instant messaging, including voice and video chat, in order to improve teamwork. The new system will then offer applications to further enhance the company’s efficiency, such as an Enterprise directory and workflow tools to automate administrative processes. In the final stage, users will benefit from Google mail, calendar, search and
on-line translation solutions to reinforce personal efficiency. They will be able to access the applications from a desktop, laptop or other mobile device.
“The cost savings and innovation made possible by cloud computing help businesses better respond to a global and mobile workforce – especially in today’s difficult economic environment,” said Dave Girouard, President, Google Enterprise. “We’re thrilled Valeo has selected Google.
Valeo is an independent industrial Group fully focused on the design, production and sale of components, integrated systems and modules for cars and trucks. Valeo ranks among the world’s top automotive suppliers. The Group has 122 plants, 61 R&D centers, 10 distribution platforms and employs around 49,000 people in 27 countries worldwide.”
(read full press release in their website & related Google’s blog post)
It is also very important to note that the main arguments that led to the decision, and which were subsequently confirmed during the pilot and initial deployment, are cost reduction + individual and collective efficiency and productivity. That is the core subject of a pragmatic and effective Enterprise 2.0 strategy as we stand it at Kimind helping large accounts to adopt enterprise 2.0 paradigm.
If you are interested to know more about such projects, don’t hesitate to contact us.
June 23rd, 2009 - 
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