Comments on: Google Apps tops 1 million businesses

More than a million businesses are using some parts of the Google Apps office suite, but the company still has a steep uphill climb to unseat Microsoft Office.

[JSMV]

One millions Google Apps customers... wow, that's a lot of users While I assume that many of these companies are fairly small (less than 20 employees), it's still an impressive number!

Google is definitely looking towards the future by investing in cloud computing and software-as-a-service (Sas) for the long haul. They offer resources such as the following whitepapers, Comprehensive Review of Security and Vulnerability Protections for Google Apps and Curbing Costs with Google Apps. Google also offers an online videos, Google Apps: Quick Tour, to introduce key concepts and ease the transition from traditional desktop apps to apps "in the cloud".

[onlyauser]

"Google Apps Premier edition is far cheaper at $50 per user per year."

No thanks Google...I would rather spend my $50 bucks on gas and use Open Office

[onlyauser]

Do not trust Google

Chrome is spyware mascaraing as a browser.

[Mr. Dee]

Sorry, but Google Apps has a long way to go before it even reaches the level of being called future competition. I was trying out Docs yesterday and just the way how it works was a major turn off. Todays generation of children who 'grew up on the net', expect Microsoft Office type functionality and experience. Check out all the enthusiast websites and you will realize.

The question is, suppose Microsoft brings Office to the web with all of its local functionality integrated into the web in a way that people would expect? Google would pretty much become irrelevant in that category. What I am realizing about even Chrome, its a complete rip off of both IE 8 and Firefox. Google is doing what both Microsoft and Apple did in the 80's by incorporating technologies from XEROX Parc and utilizing the open architecture of a proprietary IBM to help create PC ecosystem.

But Microsoft today is just as formidable and aware as Google. The first thing they realize is that Google is a threat and that Google wants to be the 21st century version of them. But if you are gonna put out crappy web services, that nobody hardly uses are does not give users the 100 percent satisfaction of establishments like Microsoft Office and Apple, then Google is just an innovative company that makes ideas that nobody hardly uses are is interested in. The only thing Google has going for them is their search engine and ad business which I am positive Microsoft will surpass or compete with aggressively in the near future.

[Znatok]

To make better judgement and predictions you should consider how much gApps advanced during last year . First time I tried gApps in the spring 07. It was promising but good only for special use, like multi-editing of word-like document by a number of users from several locations (I used that for test plans during SAP project). This time functionality and speed increased dramatically, partly due to FF3 browser.

The addition for off-line work this year make this bundle even more interesting. With current pace for development of gOffice and FF3.1 it is easy to predict readiness for daily use next summer for sure.

And If you consider seriously security issues for your data while traveling you can have a second look at them again now.

[humanssssss]

Google apps add no new value to OpenOffice. OpenOffice 3.0 has a document sharing capabilities and all the functionalities I need from an office product. I tried Google Apps a few times before but somehow the interface is very little to be desired. As soon as Sun gives a boost to OpenOffice 3.0 to have central repository for worldwide group editing capability, I will buy into this service as a storage engine.

Microsoft Office and Google Apps, no thanks. The future is OpenOffice.

[dfarber]

OpenOffice has the potential to be a significant player but over the last several years it hasn't. Google Apps is evolving and gaining some converts. Microsoft will show its cards soon...and OpenOffice will continue to be an alternative without much traction. I don't think Sun can give it a boost.

[richard.watson]

onlyauser - rubbish. You can browse the source code and confirm anything you suspect about Chrome. Google is the most-watched company w.r.t. privacy - doing *anything* weird would destroy their credibility.

[renies]

I'm afraid that I'm with humanssssss here. OpenOffice 3.0 seems a far more likely competitor for the top spot, with Microsoft's Office suite.

[PhaseDMA]

I keep saying it and I'll say it again.

Firefox, Open Office, whatever... Even Microsoft... Simply does not have the eyes that Google has. Google can put a large image on their homepage for a day and get that same audience that would cost anyone else millions of dollars.

[maverick_nick]

I find it hilarious that people even consider comparing Google's apps to Microsoft Office. It's like comparing VW Bug to a Ferrari. Sure both will get you to your destination, but it's not just about the result as it's about the sensation along the way. On a more serious note, I think that Open Office has more of a challenge than Google ever will. If you want to knock up a simple doc, then Google's great, but Office has so many features that you take for granted and you'll only realize it when you're trying to do something in one of Google's apps and you can't. My Windows Mobile phone with Office mobile can do more than Google's apps.

As long as Microsoft maintains their massive developer base, then they've got nothing to worry about. Remember, that Google hasn't succeeded at much other than search. Everything else hasn't brought them much revenue.