BPOS Powers Hollywood

Microsoft ‘s Business Productivity Online Suite has been selected by the State of California in the detriment of Google Apps, as the Cloud solution to replace the current multiple email applications in a move introduced through an executive order from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to spend less of the tax-payers’ dollars.
Google fought to prevent the deal, claiming that the requirements for the California Cloud services contract were tailored to Microsoft offerings.

The Mountain View-based search giant never submitted an actual bid, as Google Apps could not offer the functionality mentioned in the requirements. Google argued that it was impossible to meet the lengthy list of requirements, and pointed the finger at Schwarzenegger's administration, crying foul play over the bidding system.

In the end it was CSC that won the $60 million contract to migrate the State of California’s email systems, with over 200,000 users to Microsoft’s Business Productivity Suite (BPOS).

“This is part of our efforts to consolidate and standardize information technology infrastructure to reduce costs and enhance productivity,” stated Teri Takai, chief information officer of the State of California.

“Technology strategies such as cloud computing are key to executing the mission of our office which is to strengthen IT project oversight, increase transparency in technology spending, increase cost savings and define specific targets to reduce energy usage.”

Microsoft applauded the deal and emphasized that Google could not enter the bid for California’s Cloud Services Contract because its hosted offerings lack basic functionality.

, a Sr. Product Manager with Office opines that the Mountain View search giant has nothing to offer customers, and it resorted to joggling accusations to diverge the attention from the fact that Google Apps did not meet the requirements of the State of California.

“Such a PR smoke screen is a way to go on the offense with tons of players so no one notices you have an empty net,” Kisslo said.

“The Ad Company complained that many of the requirements put forth were too Microsoft centric or simply wrong to ask for in the first place. Some of these radical features included elements like:

• allowing a user to create a mail 'folder'
•'request delivery receipt' for an email.
•'ability to invite attendees as optional in calendar notices.'
•'ability to create calendar appointments or task while off line'

“Sorry Google, these are actual features used in businesses, especially in government where understanding and tracking information flow can be the law.”