News

Capgemini To Offer Microsoft BPOS Services

• By Kurt Mackie
• 05/19/2010

Capgemini will offer Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS) solutions to customers worldwide, according to a joint announcement issued today.

Microsoft's BPOS consists of software-as-a-service bundles that organizations access through Microsoft's server farms. The service is offered either directly through Microsoft or through its partners. The addition of Capgemini as a partner will add global scope to BPOS marketing.

BPOS applications are based on Microsoft Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Office Communications Online and Office Live Meeting. Capgemini will add BPOS to its Global Service Line, which provides software-as-a-service and cloud computing offerings to organizations.

The companies will both invest in "sales, technical training and marketing efforts" worldwide. In addition, Capgemini plans to train more than 1,000 consultants to support BPOS migrations. Capgemini is also developing "accelerators" to help customers move to the service, according to the announcement.

Paris-based Capgemini provides consulting and outsourcing services across more than 30 countries. The firm's reach likely will help broaden the use of BPOS, which was launched worldwide by Microsoft back in April of 2009. According to the joint announcement, Microsoft and Capgemini already have an agreement in place on Microsoft's Windows Azure cloud computing services as well, which offers services separate from BPOS.

"Capgemini already has a strong alliance with Microsoft, and this announcement, coupled with our recent agreement on Windows Azure, strengthens that relationship," said David Boulter, vice president of Global Infostructure Transformation Services at Capgemini, in a released statement. "Together, Microsoft and Capgemini are well-positioned to offer cloud services that will help customers innovate and differentiate while reducing costs."

The two companies collaborate on various Microsoft technologies. Late last year, they struck a deal to integrate Microsoft's products with SAP's enterprise resource planning solutions.