Google Names First Apps Premier Technology Partners

Google (GOOG) has assigned several of its partners a new designation within its channel partner program. Google Apps Premier Technology Partner is a a level reserved for those who have satisfied a number of requirements around deep integration with Google Apps.

A number of cloud providers have achieved the new partner program level, including cloud information security provider CloudLock, cloud management and security software provider BetterCloud, cloud-based calling and messaging vendor UberConference and cloud-based productivity apps developer Zoho, as well as others who are continuing to fill out the list with announcements of their new designations.

"Working with Google gives us access to one of the best partner programs, as well as a sophisticated technology platform with advanced APIs that enable us to innovate at an incredible pace. We look forward to deepening our partnership with Google to help our mutual customers to continue to transform their businesses," said Gil Zimmerman, co-founder and CEO of CloudLock, in a prepared statement.

The list of several partners is likely to grow over the next few weeks and months.

But what does this mean for Google Apps partners and end user customers? According to Zoho evangelist Raju Vegesna, being a Google Apps Premier Technology Partner means providing customers with more integration between their services and Google Apps in a more seamless experience.

For Zoho, one of the latest integrations with Google is a Google+ Hangouts connection with its own Zoho apps.

"We're bolstered by Google's continued support of third-party developers and the Google Apps ecosystem as a whole and look forward to further growing our relationship with the Google Enterprise team," said David Politis, founder and CEO of BetterCloud, as well as the chairman of the Cloud Alliance for Google Apps, in a prepared statement.

According to BetterCloud, it "displayed astute technical competency by building deep integrations with multiple Google APIs and established itself as a category leader and top performer in the Google Apps Marketplace."