ThoughtWorks replaced customized core business applications including email and resource management with Cloud-based solutions. Overcoming challenges of security, application immaturity and change management, our own experience highlights both the benefits and difficulties of using SAAS effectively in a global enterprise. Expected gains in employee productivity, security and maintenance costs are being realized at a rapid pace. Also noteworthy are the significant unexpected benefits that have arisen as a result of the transition.
ThoughtWorks is a mid-sized IT professional services firm with over 15 offices distributed globally. We had been delaying upgrades of applications critical to our business, a list that grew to include: email, scheduling, resource management, revenue forecasting, sales, and human resources. Mounting issues with email (Lotus Notes) and resource management (a custom application) due to company growth finally forced us to act as our own client. We chose to leverage the growing benefits of the cloud and replace these two applications with a combination of Google™ Apps and Salesforce.com™. This case study highlights both the challenges and benefits of our decision.
