Rentokil to use Google's Apps cloud, biggest yet

* Move marks biggest switch to Google's apps to date

* Company say it is more about speed than cost

LONDON, Oct 12 (Reuters) - British pest control to parcel delivery company Rentokil Initial (RTO.L) has chosen Google (GOOG.O) to manage its electronic communications, making it the largest company to deploy Google's Apps worldwide to date.

Rentokil, promoted to the FTSE 100 index in the latest reshuffle, said on Monday the move was part of its five-year turnaround plan and was as much about simplifying email systems as saving money.

"Today we have over 40 different systems which vary from open source systems to Microsoft (MSFT.O) Exchange to other complex arrangements, hosted both internally and externally," chief information officer Bryan Kinsella told Reuters in an interview on Monday.

"We looked very carefully at rolling out server-based standard solutions and 15-18 months ago we looked at delivering the solution via the cloud."

Cloud, or web-based applications, enable companies to access applications and data via the internet, eliminating the need for applications and data to be held on local dedicated servers.

"We felt the fastest way we could deliver the mail solution to the group was through the cloud," Kinsella said. "The challenge for us has been creating capability, actually more importantly than cost saving."