Capgemini has announced an agreement signed between Capgemini UK plc and Amazon Web Services, extending its Outsourcing portfolio with cloud computing services. Capgemini's new Center of Excellence, focused on cloud computing, will help its enterprise clients take full advantage of integrating cloud computing into their IT and business strategy. Capgemini's Cloud Computing Center of Excellence will initially have a team of Amazon Web Services-trained professionals located in North America, Europe and India to help clients evaluate and implement Amazon's current offering; this will evolve as other provider's cloud computing capabilities mature. The centre will also offer Cloud Consulting, Development, Migration and Back-up Services.

Capgemini speakers at SYS-CON's 1st International Cloud Computing Conference & Expo presented to standing room only audiences

Under the right circumstances, leveraging the fast developing cloud computing market has the potential to create significant value for enterprise customers in terms of scale, flexibility, reducing time to market, environmental efficiency and given the economic climate, perhaps the most important feature of reduced capital expenditure.

Capgemini's new Cloud Computing Center of Excellence will initially focus on three enterprise use cases: Microsoft Sharepoint in the cloud, Oracle ERP in the cloud, and Application Development and Testing in the cloud. Capgemini has so far conducted successful pilots of cloud computing capability for all three use cases on the Amazon Web Services platform.

In order to help enterprise customers understand cloud computing and define relevant business opportunities, Capgemini will be offering cloud computing workshops built around it's tried and tested Accelerated Solutions Environment methodology.

"We want every business to understand the benefits of cloud computing and the mature services that Amazon Web Service delivers-that they can save money without giving up speed, reliability, flexibility, and performance-and to be able to get up and running with our services quickly and easily," said Adam Selipsky, Vice President of Product Management and Developer Relations for Amazon Web Services. "Collaborating with Capgemini to help them offer their enterprise clients the benefits of cloud computing through Amazon Web Services helps us achieve this goal."

"This is a ground-breaking partnership that clearly demonstrates Capgemini's strategy to always support its clients' transformation with the most efficient innovations in the market" said Paul Spence, Head of Outsourcing, Capgemini. "The benefits of the Capgemini Cloud capability will be particularly relevant in today's economic climate and we want our clients to be able to take advantage of early providers such as Amazon Web Services".