Initially, the Google Chromebooks for Business announcement from earlier today sounded like Google was set to alienate some channel partners. But now, updated statements suggest Google will allow partners to play a role in the new Chromebooks for Business strategy — which marries hardware, cloud software and support into a flat monthly fee. The big remaining question: Will managed services providers (MSPs) be able to remotely manage Chromebooks for Business devices? Here’s some analysis and speculation.
First, my usual background statement: Chromebooks for Business are Web-centric notebooks that run Chrome OS. The Chromebooks, from Acer and Samsung, are scheduled to debut June 15. Customers can buy the Chromebooks — or opt for the Chromebooks for Business service, which costs $28 per user per month in business, or $20 per user per month in the education vertical. A desktop Chromebook form factor also is expected but details are pending.
Partner Play
Initially, Google said Chromebooks for Business was a direct sales play. But about an hour ago, Google sent me a revised statement that’s far more channel friendly. It read: