Microsoft: Are Google Partners Jumping Ship?
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.
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.
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
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.
;}