Google touts benefits of cloud computing

Google claims firms can save money by switching to its cloud services

Google has launched a new campaign designed to tempt more enterprises onto its cloud computing applications.

The Go Google cloud calculator offers insights into the capabilities of cloud applications in an effort to allay some common concerns.

"Sometimes it's hard to imagine what working in the cloud would really mean, and frequently people ask us how they can better understand the benefits of Google Apps specifically for their business," said Vivian Leung, from the Google Enterprise team, in a blog post.

"How would online collaboration really affect your workplace? And how could increased email storage or integrated IM and video chat actually impact your company's productivity?"

Google claimed that the cloud calculator can demonstrate the benefits of " going Google" for organisations of all sizes.

An accompanying video suggests that companies need spend only two minutes answering two questions before deciding whether the cloud is right for them. These appear to be: What is the name of your company, and how many people work there?

The tool then creates custom URLs, presentations, spreadsheets and posters which can be used internally to spread the word about the benefits of the cloud.

Google estimates that organisations can save thousands of pounds a year by making the switch, while adding new capabilities and storage to common applications like email.