Google Atmosphere Conference Set to Host 400 CIOs

The VAR Guy was right. For several months, our resident blogger has been telling readers that Google was developing a conference for CIOs. Google has finally confirmed those rumors. The search giant plans to host Google Atmosphere, a conference for 400 CIOs, on April 12. Amazon.com and Salesforce.com will join the party. Here are the details.

According to an email invite received by The VAR Guy, Google Atmosphere strives to “unite and challenge IT executives and thought leaders as we assess the impact of cloud computing and other emerging technologies on the way we all do business – today and in the future.”

Here’s the official video pitch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXt8BNvari8

The April 12 conference, hosted on Google’s campus, will be led by Google Enterprise President David Girouard. Also, CIOs representing Genentech, Motorola Mobile Devices, and Meadwestvaco will describe their cloud computing strategies. Internet Guru Vint Cerf also will be on hand.

But wait. There’s more. Watch for Salesforce.com CEO Marc Benioff and Werner Vogels (VP & CTO, Amazon.com) to make appearances.

Google’s products and services also will take center stage — with Android expected to receive plenty of attention.

The Bigger Picture

Google Atmosphere is the latest step in Google’s accelerating enterprise strategy. In recent months, Google has used direct mail to tell CIOs how Google Apps can save them serious money over traditional software. Also, Google continues to build the Google Apps reseller program, which now includes more than 1,000 partners.

But are those partners really engaging with Google? Apparently yes. Roughly 20 percent of MSPmentor 100 survey participants say they’re promoting Google Apps to their end customers. VARs certainly can’t get rich off Google Apps —  the pricing model only allows partners to pocket about US$10 per user per year. But the new Google Apps Marketplace provides an online community where VARs can monitor additional revenue opportunities.

Still, Google continues to face challenges with partners and customers. Despite some key customers wins, some municipalities have also delayed Google Apps deployments because of privacy and security concerns.

No doubt, Google hopes to address those perceptions during the Google Atmosphere conference.

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