Having won over millions of consumers with its online search and productivity tools, Google is now looking to displace Microsoft as the desktop application provider of choice in corporate America by offering a range of low-cost, zero maintenance software that office workers can access through the Internet.
Google Apps Premier Edition, unveiled Thursday, features online e-mail, calendaring, messaging and talk applications as well as a word processor and a spreadsheet. The launch follows Google's introduction of a similar suite aimed at consumers last August. The new Premier Edition, however, offers enhancements aimed squarely at corporate environments.
"Businesses are looking for applications that are simple and intuitive for employees, but also offer security, reliability and manageability," says Dave Girouard, VP and general manager for Google Enterprise.
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