History Repeats Again
Just like Microsoft did to IBM 20 years ago, Google is about to overtake Microsoft as the dominate solutions provider to the SMB market. Two recent announcements, Gmail and Google Apps are now in general release (after being Beta for more than two years) and Google Chrome is evolving into a full blown operating system.
The launch of Gmail and Google Apps as general release products means that a number of SMB companies will feel more comfortable implementing the “cloud-based” solutions into their business. Unlike other “free” office offerings (Open Office), Google’s offering is completely web-based. SMB users and the employees can now access email, create documents, share spreadsheets and collaborate on presentations anywhere they have access to the Internet.
The developer community has aggressively pursued Gmail and Google Apps add-ons, many of which are free. So this launch brings a highly flexible office application suite with tons of rich, functional extensions. And, oh by the way, the fact that Google embededs AdWords into these “free apps” is the real Internet Marketing Trojan Horse!
Google Chrome Operating System (GCOS) is the 800 pound gorilla in the mix. GCOS will be the operating system of choice on NetBooks late next year. Netbooks are one of faster growing segments of the computer industry because everyone is going to the Internet cloud. And no one is more pervasive in the cloud than Google.
GCOS and Internet Marketing will be tightly intertwined – which is why Google can give their Apps away for free! Microsoft’s feeble response it Live Office and Bing – still licensed on a user model, client-based and too big. Microsoft, like IBM did 20 years ago, will continue as the platform of choice in the Fortune 100 companies. However, it’s game on for the rest of the SMB and the smart money is all on Google!
