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19 Jan 2009
After launching a reseller programme for its Google Apps offering, the search engine giant has urged Microsoft VARs to get on board or risk falling behind.
The Premier Edition of Google Apps uses a cloud computing model and includes messaging, collaboration, security and compliance tools. It is available to businesses for £25 per user per year.
After deploying the offering to 25 users, Google VARs will enjoy margins of 20 per cent in addition to revenue from wrap-around services.
Further reading
Peter Lorant, Google’s head of enterprise partners for EMEA, told CRN that Google would continue to sell direct if customers requested, but would not offer professional services or assistance with migration directly. “Our sales people are offered incentives to work with the channel,” he said.
Lorant claimed 3,000 businesses a day are signing up for Google Apps and the company needed to implement a channel to satisfy demand.
He earmarked large systems integrators, boutique resellers, Web 2.0 consultancies and ISPs as potential partners and revealed a dedicated UK channel team was in place.
Some 50 resellers across the globe piloted the programme last year, one of which was Bracknell-based VAR Ancoris. Managing director David McLeman said: “We have had a very high level of interest. In this climate where people are outsourcing functions, Google Apps is a very cost-effective and attractive proposition.”
Bob Tarzey, service director for analyst Quocirca, claimed Google is the one company that could give Microsoft “a run for its money”.
Microsoft was unavailable for comment as CRN went to press.
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