There is yet another reason for Microsoft to lose sleep. The latest move by Google to encroach into the business application software arena, so long solely dominated by Microsoft, is sure to cause some discomfort to the latter, although Bill Gates & Co. would deny it. Nonetheless, the "innovation powerhouse" is making a concerted effort to grab a pie of the multibillion dollar business software application, globally. It also marks the search engine giant's first but real serious move to challenge the hegemony of its biggest rival as it attacks the latter's most lucrative market: The Desktop.
Google Apps is the third version of the package launched originally in August 2006, addresses concerns like licensing and technical support raised at that time, and also marks the company's entry into the new trend of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). The package includes applications such as Gmail, Google Talk, Google Docs, Spreadsheets, Google Calendar and Start Page for creating a home page, all available at a throwaway price of $50 a year, per user; as against $499 for a standalone edition of Microsoft's Office Professional Edition.
The launch comes at a time when the Redmond giant is going full throttle on convincing businesses around the globe to buy the new version of its Office Software as well as promoting its new operating software system called Vista. Besides, it is also gearing up to launch its Microsoft Office Live. |
