Google means business. According to a new report in The Wall Street Journal, the search-and-everything-else giant is planning an enterprise app store, with a launch as early as March. The move would be an additional challenge to Microsoft’s domination of office and business software.
The online store would contain third-party applications and services related to Google Apps. These enhancements could include additional security features, the ability to import data from other apps, and more.
Google Solutions Marketplace
Currently, Google allows users to find such apps, but the company doesn’t sell them directly. Through its Google Solutions Marketplace, for instance, visitors can find apps for tools, enhancements and related professional services. The user is then directed to companies like Innovent Solutions for search appliance training, SADA Systems for user provisioning and sync tools for Google Apps, and Daston for Gmail integration for NetSuite.
Google declined to comment on the report. “The Google Solutions Marketplace makes it easy for our customers to connect with an ecosystem of products and professional services,” Google said in a statement. “We’re constantly working with our partners to deliver more solutions to businesses, but we have nothing to announce at this time.”
According to The New York Times, the goal of the new app store is to provide better integration and make purchases easier. It’s expected that, as with other app stores, Google will take a portion of revenue.
Google Apps is a business productivity suite that includes a calendar, Gmail, word processing, group management, spreadsheets, intranet creation, video sharing, and presentations. The entire suite costs $50 per user per year, and the company said more than two million businesses are running Google Apps. This includes thousands of users in several large enterprises such as Motorola, Jaguar Land Rover, and the Los Angeles municipal government.
Appropriate for Larger Companies?
Al Hilwa, program director at industry…