<p>news The New South Wales State Government has revealed that it will trial both Google- and Microsoft-based cloud email platforms, as its interest in the new cloud computing paradigm continues to develop.</p><p>In February this year, the state kicked off two trials of virtual desktop and cloud email services, in a move which could eventually signal a mass migration of some 30,000 government users into the cloud and which represents one of the first concrete steps by the state into the new cloud computing landscape.</p><p>Today, Minister for Finance and Services Greg Pearce announced the suppliers selected to deliver the cloud-based services to shared services agency ServiceFirst, as part of a broad initiative to pilot cloud services across a range of NSW Government agencies. Hewlett-Packard will supply the Desktop as a Service aspect of the trial, while Unisys will supply the Microsoft-based 'messaging as a service' (email and collaboration services) aspect of the trial. New Zealand-headquartered IT services company Fronde will supply the Google cloud email platform.</p><p>Pearce said the testing of multiple cloud-based systems across different scenarios and environments would provide industry with vital information about the specific needs of government. "Cloud services facilitate simple, convenient and on demand access to a shared pool of computing services and falls under the objectives of the NSW Government ICT Strategy," Pearce said. "Cloud is part of the future of ICT service delivery and these pilots will play a key role in helping government make the right decisions about adopting cloud-based solutions."</p><p><a href="http://delimiter.com.au/2013/07/16/nsw-govt-trials-gmail-ms-cloud-email/">Keep reading...</a></p>