Fairfax Media outsourcing IT to Google Business Apps

Google has won a major Google Business Apps contract, with Fairfax Media adopting the search giant’s cloud-based apps service as part of its “Fairfax of the Future” program.

In a press release, Google Enterprise Australia head Stuart McLean said: “By taking up the heavy lifting of storing data and managing infrastructure, going Google will allow Fairfax to focus on being a media company and not worry about also being an IT provider.”

The news comes just weeks after Fairfax Media announced it will move The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age to a tabloid and sack 1,900 staff?—including about 380 editorial positions?—?as part of a massive cost-cutting drive.

During the announcement, CEO Greg Hywood said 20% of the cuts would come from editorial, 20% from printing and the remainder from unspecified other activities, potentially including IT staff.

The news also comes after Google’s recent announcement of its acquisition of QuickOffice ahead of an Android and iPad release of Microsoft Office as the battle for the corporate productivity market intensifies.