Google Chrome Browser and Chrome OS: Killer Channel Combo?

The Google Chrome browser has experienced significant success in the consumer space, with a claimed 120 million users. Now Google makes a play for the enterprise with the availability of an MSI installer package. In theory, the installer makes it easy for VARs, MSPs and IT administrators to roll out Chrome to every machine they manage — with group policies to enhance security and standardization, to boot. But most interesting of all: Google is marketing it as a way for enterprises to test-drive the upcoming Chrome OS.

The deployment and policy management is fairly simple, according to the Google Enterprise Blog entry. Google provides a set of templates and a list of policies (like “Enable Printing” and setting a browser extension blacklist) they can build into the installation.

If you’re in charge of a Google Apps for Business deployment, Google’s available for customer support at no extra charge. And if not, there’s documentation to help administrators and service providers roll out and manage Google Chrome installations to their organization themselves.

But to TalkinCloud, most interesting is Google’s assertion that using Chrome as an enterprise browser is the best way to get a feel for the upcoming cloud-centric Google Chrome OS. Which is to say, the browser is at the core of Chrome OS, and how an HTML5 web application — like those sold through the Chrome Web Store.

So in one fell swoop, Google promotes Chrome (the browser) to VARs and MSPs, while simultaneously promoting Chrome OS (the operating system), to the very same crowd. It’s a bold move. But Google’s very often a bold company.

Follow Talkin’ Cloud via RSS, Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for Talkin’ Cloud’s Weekly Newsletter, Webcasts and Resource Center. Read our editorial disclosures here.