Google Launches Google Apps Reseller Program
Google has pulled back the curtains on a Google Apps Reseller Program, allowing solutions providers and managed service providers to resell Google's cloud-based applications. Check out the Google-produced video below for a quick overview of the reseller program, and join the reader debate over this effort. I'll be hopping into the conversation as well.
Google has pulled back the curtains on a Google Apps Reseller Program, allowing solutions providers and managed service providers to resell Google’s cloud-based applications. Check out the Google-produced video below for a quick overview of the reseller program, and join the reader debate over this effort. I’ll be hopping into the conversation as well.
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One issue I’ve seen with Google’s “channel” program is at the same time they attempt to get providers to resell Google products to their customers they are also aggressively lobbying those provider’s customers directly to switch over to Google bypassing the provider / reseller. We’ve had this issue with Google in the past. Additionally, Google is poor on response times, mismanages their resellers, is unresponsive to calls, issues, etc. If they run this new “channel” program like they decided to run the Postini channel program, then buyer beware.
Just my 2 cents.
-matt
Matt: You’ve connected the dots between the new Google Apps Reseller Program and Google’s partner program for Postini. I think that’s a great observation (and was going to blog about that… but you beat me to the punch).
MSPmentor tends to keep an open mind whenever a big IT company (Microsoft, Google, Dell, etc.) launches a new SaaS partner program. We do realize there are risks involved — including the potential for the IT vendor to take the business direct.
For those who aren’t familiar with Google Postini, here’s an earlier post with loads of pros/cons reader comments.
Looking ahead, MSPmentor feels strongly that our readers need to test the waters as new SaaS partner programs enter the market. As our sister site TheVARguy.com points out, whether you intend to cooperate or compete with Google, you need to understand their strategy along with the broader Web 2.0 opportunities/threats that are emerging in the market.
There’s another market reality to consider. Google’s reseller efforts hopefully will lead microsoft to listen and respond to feedback from its partner base.
Competition between Microsoft and Google could potentially keep the two companies “honest” as they develop web 2.0 partner programs.
Brent,
Without a doubt competition makes Microsoft more responsive (and in some cases more innovative).
A reader over on TheVARguy.com just raised another competitive option to keep in mind. A company called Zoho hosts a range of productivity applications and even CRM for partners. We introduced readers to Zoho back in March 2008, and I’m checking in with them to see if they have any reaction to the Google Apps Reseller Program.
I think this is going to be a very successful program. We already have some of our clients making the switch to Google Apps, and we are starting to create customized offerings using their apps.
Mike
http://www.everonit.com
http://www.smbitpros.com
Mike: I’ve heard from four Google Apps partners in the past 24 hours. All of them sounded upbeat. Does that mean long-term success? Not sure. But I will try to summarize the feedback I heard in a blog post within 24 hours.
Regarding Matt’s point, I strongly believe, in the Internet era the IT solution providers (the channel) have to bring in compelling value to their clients in order for the clients to work with the solution provider. Of course there will always be SMBs who would like to directly deal with the vendor. Such SMBs are best to be left alone because there is no way you can profit from them. There are always SMBs who are going to appreciate the value the solution provider brings to the table and be willing to pay a premium for the additional value and the peace of mind they get. So there is no point in blaming Google for trying to work directly with the clients. In fact, Microsoft does that too with their hybrid model and the Software Plus Services Strategy.
I believe this is the future we should get used to as the internet has revolutionized business models and has made some of the old models obsolete.
I also believe that the Google Apps reseller program is the first step towards Google adopting Software Plus Services as I elaborate in my blog post “Google will abandon ‘pure SaaS’ and take the ’software plus services’ route – courtesy Microsoft”. You can read the blog post here.
Sekar: Excellent blog,as usual. It hit my RSS feed earlier today and I agreed with your S+S perspectives. I’m speaking with Google Friday, and will report back with some more on the partner effort.