The US government plans to shut down 800 of its 2000 computer data centers over the next four years. The New York Times reports that the 40% cutback will allow the federal government to reduce their technology budget and to update their systems. The change could mean saving $5 billion a year, according to chief information officer Vivek Kundra, as the centers scheduled to close are “redundant systems.”

The U.S. General Services Administration is switching 17,000 employees and contractors to Google Apps for Government. GSA runs the real estate and building management services for the U.S. federal government. Google Apps worked on an RFP for the GSA over the past 6 months. The GSA will be working with Unisys to migrate all of their employees to Google Apps. [Google Blog]