O2 deploys cloud based sales platform to run natively in Force.com

Prior to this deployment O2 had been using a combination of manual processes and MicrosoftMicrosoft Office products, but over the past 12 months has managed to get 800 users on the new sales and service platform. It plans to increase this to 3,500 users over the next 18 months. Alles zu Microsoft auf CIO.de

Although Mortimer couldn't provide specifics about efficiency or cost targets, he did say that O2 Business will "grow and diversify its portfolio of products without increasing its operating costs".

He also stated that although the thought of cloud made many within the business "go pale in the face", the platform is running to service levels beyond what Mortimer was able to agree with Salesforce's commercial team.

"There were a number of concerns around cloud, not just the security element. This is business-critical activity and uptime is essential - this was clearly a big leap of faith," said Mortimer.

He added: "I tried to demand high service levels from Salesforce, but wasn't able to agree targets with the commercial team.