Google announces PwC as latest Apps for Work and Google Cloud Platform partner

Google announced on Tuesday that professional services company PwC is the latest business to adopt the Apps for Work suite and Google Cloud Platform. The news comes less than one day after Google tabbed Squarespace and WordPress as two other new Google for Work partners, greatly expanding its business portfolio as competition increases.

The announcement comes just hours after Microsoft announced that it is offering unlimited cloud storage on OneDrive for Office 365 subscribers for just $6.99 per month. The unlimited storage is currently restricted to Office 365 Home, Personal and University customers, but business accounts are expected to be unlimited by next year.

PwC is one of the Big Four audit firms that provide audit, assurance, tax, consulting, advisory, actuarial, corporate finance, and legal services, most often for publicly traded companies in addition to private companies. The company is headquartered in the United Kingdom and delivers its business and consulting practices worldwide.

Google Cloud Platform will enable PwC to provide clients with custom applications and mobile solutions relevant to their industries. The platform will also enable PwC to enhances its security monitoring by identifying security threats, alerting clients of potential attacks and preventing or mitigating risks.

Meanwhile, 45,000 employees at PwC in the United States and Australia will benefit from the Google Apps for Work suite that includes Gmail, Hangouts, Calendar, Drive and Docs. PwC has some 195,000 employees worldwide, so it remains to be seen if Apps for Work will be accessible to more of its workforce based on a gradual rollout.

Per the Google for Work Blog:

• Helping businesses move to the cloud and optimize for success. As part of this new relationship, PwC will help their clients evaluate and plan their move to the cloud. Any company can benefit from the ability to work better together from anywhere with Drive for Work and Android. PwC will also help clients build custom applications and mobile solutions relevant to their industries — improving processes like invoicing and talent management — using Google Cloud Platform. Moving to the cloud requires trust in a new way of working. PwC’s deep industry knowledge and strong client relationships will help businesses realize the security benefits, productivity gains and cultural impact made possible through this move.

• Providing best in class security. With more than 450 full time security engineers, Google offers one of the most secure platforms for customer information. PwC will enhance its security monitoring practice with new solutions for clients built on Google Cloud Platform. By building custom algorithms on Google Cloud Platform, PwC will identify security threats, alert clients of potential attacks, and prevent or mitigate risks.