Google acquires Synergyse to train Google Apps users

Google's new virtual trainer will teach customers how to use Google Apps for Work products.

The search giant has bought a small Toronto-based startup called Synergyse, for an undisclosed sum.

Synergyse had developed training software for Google Apps users in 2013 that kept them up to date about new features and provided directions on how to use products. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

''Given the enthusiasm that exists for Synergyse already, we want to extend this service to all our customers,'' Google said in a blog post. ''That is why we're happy to announce Synergyse will be joining Google, and we intend to make the product available as an integral part of the Google Apps offering later this year.''

Current Synergyse customers will continue to have access to the service while Google integrates it into its own technology, but they would have to download a Chrome extension if they wanted to use Synergyse's training technology.

The service offers video, audio, or written tutorials about how to use Google Apps products, like Google Docs and Google Slides.

The company said in a blog post, that its service had been used by over 4,000,000 people and 3,000 organisations.

The Google Apps product suite (Gmail, Hangouts, Calendar, Google+, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Forms, Slides, and Sites) has over 2 million business customers.

Synergyse was founded by former Googlers Varun Malhotra and Majid Manzarpour in February 2013 and in April 2013, they introduced Synergyse Training.

''By joining the Google Apps team, we can accelerate our mission because we will be working even closer with the teams that build Google Apps,'' Malhotra, Manzarpour, and CTO Alex Kennberg wrote in a blog post yesterday. ''Advancing our mission at a faster speed is very exciting for the Synergyse team and our customers will directly see the benefits as we move forward.''