Woolworths to roll out Google Apps to 26,000 staff members

Woolworths plans to roll out its Google Apps platform to 26,000 national and state office staff in the coming months, following its rollout of Gmail and its custom ‘Tap for Support’ app on iPads to 890 store managers in August last year.

The supermarket is also in the process of moving to Google Apps for calendar and instant messaging, with the Gmail rollout so far receiving positive feedback from staff.

“Our decision to move to Google Apps is a key element of transforming our workforce computing to achieve a step-change in our collaboration and productivity,” Dan Beecham, CIO for Woolworths Limited, said in a statement.

“Our staff need access to intuitive technology that will enable them to work more efficiently, collaboratively and effectively.”

Woolworths is also looking into how it can use Google Plus, Google Drive and Google Sites to help transform “other aspects” of its business, Beecham said.

To help boost support as it moves more staff onto the Google Apps platform, Woolworths has created a technology centre with “dedicated technology coaches” where more than 3500 national office staff members will be able to receive face-to-face training and other forms of support.

Technology retailer Dick Smith recently announced that it plans to phase out its Microsoft environment and replace it with Google Apps to facilitate staff collaboration on their mobile devices. The retailer plans to make extensive use of Hangouts, Google Groups, Talk, Drive and Docs.

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