Google continues its battle against Microsoft : Now, with an online business software store

Google has been and is continuing trying to beat Microsoft in every venture of its. Be it, operating systems, documents, search engine, e-mail, instant messenger or mobile, the two software giants have been bull fighting in a war for tech supremacy.  Continuing its efforts in this direction, Google has announced the launch of its online business software store.

The store will sell business software developed by third-party developers. These software are for adding increased capabilities to the Google Apps, such as enhanced security features or the ability to import contacts.
Google already has a Solutions Marketplace, that provides these kind of third-party software to be intergrated into its system for enhanced features. However this site only acts as a facilitator, lacking the e-commerce infrastructure required for online purchase. Users right now need to call or mail the vendors directly for the software.

With the online e-commerce enabled store, new functionalities (lacking in Google Apps) will be available just at the click of buy button. Google will share a part of its revenue with the vendors.

Google Apps provides products like gmail, gtalk, calendar, docs & sites, which are typical of an office suite. However, they are not preferred over MS’s suites right now. This online stores will provide features, which will enable the online offerings of Google to get a step closer to the Microsoft programs.

However, we need to wait and watch how this would click with the users, as there are some apprehensions and risks involved. One is the reliability of the third-party software. And also more number of customer-service calls associated with this. Also, it would take some time for people to overcome the existing apprehensions.

Google has free version of Google Apps, used in schools & universities and by individuals and small businesses. The paid one, Apps Premier, costs US$50 per user per year, and is targetted for medium & large businesses.
Google has become the online search engine product, rather than a brand for online search. Hope Google is able to reach such heights in online applications business too.