https://www.channelfutures.com/wp-content/themes/channelfutures_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel 101
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2020 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2020 Hot 101 Rankings
    • 2020 MSP 501 Report
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Our Sponsors
    • From the Industry
    • Content Resources
    • COVID-19 Partner Help
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • EMEA
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Excellence in Digital Services
    • 2020 MSP 501
    • Top Gun 51
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
    • Channel Evolution Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
  • Channel Mentor
    • Back
    • Channel Market Intelligence
    • Channel Educational Series
Channel Futures
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel 101
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2020 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2020 Hot 101 Rankings
    • 2020 MSP 501 Report
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Our Sponsors
    • From the Industry
    • Content Resources
    • COVID-19 Partner Help
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • EMEA
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Excellence in Digital Services
    • 2020 MSP 501
    • Top Gun 51
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
    • Channel Evolution Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
  • Channel Mentor
    • Back
    • Channel Market Intelligence
    • Channel Educational Series
    • Newsletter
  • REGISTER
  • MSPs
  • VARs / SIs
  • Digital Service Providers
  • Cloud Service Providers
  • CHANNEL PARTNERS ONLINE
 Channel Futures

Best Practices


Microsoft: Are Google Partners Jumping Ship?

  • Written by Matthew Weinberger 1
  • May 25, 2010
In a recent blog post, Microsoft has taken the war of words over Google Apps directly to the IT channel. The name of the post in question: “Why are Partners Leaving Google Apps?” It’s a loaded question, to be sure, but it raises a key discussion points for Google and its reseller base alike. Here’s the scoop.

In a recent blog post, Microsoft has taken the war of words over Google Apps directly to the IT channel. The name of the post in question: “Why are Partners Leaving Google Apps?” It’s a loaded question, to be sure, but it raises a key discussion points for Google and its reseller base alike. Here’s the scoop.

Skirmishes between Microsoft and Google are nothing new, but they’ve been exacerbated by the launch of new versions of Microsoft Exchange, SharePoint, and especially Office. Google’s campaigning for channel attention on the platform that it’s easier and cheaper to “upgrade” to their messaging and collaboration solutions, while Microsoft’s position has always been that they have, by leaps and bounds, the more standards-driven, robust solution.

As evidence for this perceived mass Google partner exodus, the blog presents the case of Capgemini, a Google Apps reseller that recently announced an alliance with Microsoft to offer their own BPOS productivity cloud suite — a case they take to assume that their customer base voted with their dollars against Google Apps.

The blog also has quotes from other guest posts on Microsoft blogs in which former Google Apps users talk about their decision to move to Microsoft solutions. The point made there is that Google Apps was designed for consumers, not enterprises, and that Microsoft’s products are still the standard for corporations the world over.

My take? Microsoft raises legitimate concerns about the maturity of Google Apps. But the fact that the only supporting evidence they have comes from Microsoft partners and guest posts on Microsoft’s own blogs, my instinct says let’s keep things in perspective.

There’s no denying that Google Apps is still a work-in-progress, with new features and updates constantly coming down the pipeline. But it’s that same constant hassle-free continual upgrade cycle that makes it a serious contender.

In other words, Google Apps is good and getting better, and Microsoft would do well not to rest on its laurels — especially since roughly 20 percent of managed services providers are embracing Google Apps, according to the third-annual MSPmentor 100 survey, published in February 2010.

Microsoft may have the market cornered when it comes to Fortune 500 companies, and rightfully so, but there are so many SMBs out there looking for something cheaper and easier to deploy that I just can’t see Google Apps partners defecting en masse. And even if they did, why would they go to BPOS by default and not competitors like Zoho or LotusLive?

Sign up for The VAR Guy’s Newsletter; Webcasts and Resource Center; and via RSS; Facebook; Identi.ca; Twitter and VARtweet.


Tags: Cloud Service Providers Digital Service Providers MSPs VARs/SIs Best Practices

Related


  • Two people in a data center
    The Benefits of Co-Managed IT For Enterprises in the New Normal
    The need to conduct business from anywhere has made enterprises more technology-reliant. Enter co-managed IT.
  • Business hands together, diversity
    Survey: A Closer Look at Diversity in the Channel Community in 2021
    The survey is designed to gain a deeper understanding of our channel community, amplifying diversity and inclusion.
  • Social media on smartphone, laptop
    Cloud Providers in the Channel Flee From Parler
    Amazon Web Services isn’t the only vendor to cut ties with the right-wing social media outlet.
  • Ready, Set, Go
    New, Changing Partner Programs: AWS, Tech Data, Avaya, Verizon
    Vendors and distributors thanked partners for their efforts in 2020 and geared up for 2021.

3 comments

  1. Avatar Sam June 10, 2010 @ 12:07 pm
    Reply

    Google is interesting – I think that they are a 21st century billboard company with a few thousand people running around trying other things on for size.

    It is a very interesting model — One example is Google Gears which is (was) an erector set version of a car transmission.

    That said, I think they’re right about HTML5, Chrome and Open Source, and they can do very well with Android, but they will need to focus on where Apple is not — Business. And taking on Microsoft won’t be difficult if Google can demonstrate leadership, because they can deliver utility to the F500 at a much lower cost.

    In the end, money is what the F500 is interested in; let’s see if Google ‘gets’ that or not.

  2. Avatar The VAR Guy June 10, 2010 @ 1:01 pm
    Reply

    Sam: Google recently hosted a CIO gathering on its corporate campus. Certainly, the search giant has a lot to learn about enterprise customers. But the dialog between Google and CIOs has begun…
    -TVG

  3. Avatar Sam June 10, 2010 @ 1:56 pm
    Reply

    Yep, and that’s exactly what Microsoft tried with Business Intelligence, ERP, CRM………. ;}

    Surely, you may find some gray hairs at Google who understand, but what about the massive 20-something workforce? Hard to turn a herd like that when you never had shepherds to begin with. (Not a knock on the culture; I think they’re unique, but unfocused on revenue — they will be soon, though, because of Apple)

    I like your thinking.

    I think I’ll ask around and find you at some upcoming event.

    Unless, of course, you truly are from the CIA, as some have speculated.

    ;}

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your Channel Futures account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • Microsoft Source Code Accessed by SolarWinds Hackers
  • MSP 501 Profile: Monroy IT Services with a Minority's Perspective on the Channel
  • MSP 501 Profile: Middleground Technologies Reaps Cloud Benefits
  • The COVID-19 Pandemic Changed the World — What’s Next for Cloud?

Galleries

View all

New, Changing Partner Programs: AWS, Tech Data, Avaya, Verizon

January 11, 2021

Industry Perspectives

View all

Help Your Customers Mitigate Malware: Viruses, Worms, and Trojans…Oh My!

January 15, 2021

SMBs’ Cybersecurity Risk Awareness Is Rising

January 13, 2021

Your Cloud Data Is Protected, But Is It Portable?

January 12, 2021

Webinars

View all

Blueprint for a Scalable MSSP Practice in 2021

January 21, 2021

Who’s Behind the Mask? Hacker Personas Explained

January 26, 2021

How Managed Hosting Providers Thrive with the Alternative Cloud

February 24, 2021

White Papers

View all

Why Subscription Business Model

January 15, 2021

The Ultimate MSP Guide to Sales Efficiency

January 14, 2021

Eight Reasons Why MSPs Need IT Industry-Specific Sales Tools

January 14, 2021

Upcoming Events

View all

Channel Partners Virtual

March 2, 2021 - March 4, 2021

Channel Partners Conference & Expo

November 1, 2021 - November 4, 2021

Videos and Fastchats

View all

FASTCHAT: How SOAR Eliminates Security Challenges and Elevates Service Provider Revenues

January 6, 2021

Happy Holidays from Channel Partners & Channel Futures!

December 21, 2020

FASTCHAT: How Old, Unpatched Technologies Are Creating New Security Threats for MSPs and Their Customers

December 3, 2020

Twitter

ChannelFutures

.@IBMServices snaps up #MSP Taos for #hybridcloud expertise. dlvr.it/RqggQR https://t.co/Fy3uPDtLNw

January 16, 2021
ChannelFutures

.@LenovoBusiness launches its thinnest #ThinkPad to date @CES, revamped ThinkBooks and #ThinkReality glasses.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

January 16, 2021
ChannelFutures

Help your customers mitigate #malware @Tech_Data #cryptolocker #antivirus #ransomware #cybersecurity… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

January 15, 2021
ChannelFutures

Advantages of the Subscription business model for MSPs and IT Resellers @kaspersky dlvr.it/RqgDJn https://t.co/ay694fudp3

January 15, 2021
ChannelFutures

Cloud #distributor @Pax8 launches in UK with leadership team in place. dlvr.it/RqfJWx https://t.co/RsKDCowM5V

January 15, 2021
ChannelFutures

bit.ly/3oO2vFY twitter.com/Craig_Galbrait…

January 15, 2021
ChannelFutures

The Ultimate MSP Guide to Sales Efficiency @zomentum dlvr.it/Rqc63q https://t.co/rHIVLkR01K

January 15, 2021
ChannelFutures

Eight Reasons Why MSPs Need IT Industry-Specific Sales Tools dlvr.it/Rqc62k https://t.co/MQDcIYc7G9

January 15, 2021

MSSP Insider

Newsletters and Updates

Sign up for The Channel Report, Channel Futures Update, MSP 501 Newsletter and more.

Live Channel Events

Get the latest information on the next industry-leading Channel Partners event.

Channel Partners Online

Want more? Find more channel news and analysis on our sister site, Channel Partners.

Media Kit And Advertising

Want to reach our audience? Access our media kit

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • Channel Partners Online
  • Channel Partners Events
  • MSP 501
  • MSSP Insider
  • IoT World Today
  • Webhostingtalk

WORKING WITH US

  • Contact
  • About us
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter

FOLLOW Channel Futures ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2021 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X