Carol Spieckerman

Google Web Store Pushes Cloud Computing Apps

March 11, 2010

FROM RETAILWIRE:
Google is operating in the cloud and the company is looking to get the rest of us to do our computing up there, as well. The company announced the launch of an online store for business applications that run over the internet. What effect will the Google Apps Marketplace have on internal company application management?      [more...]

Cloud computing is a done deal. The success of iPhone apps, many of which are increasingly business-oriented, prove the readiness to adopt "cloud" apps. Security issues are the exception, not the rule, and speed-of-adoption can often give small to medium sized businesses the agility to they need to compete with larger companies that are heavily invested in server-based applications that may require months of modification to meet the functionality of cloud apps.

Let's not forget that cloud computing is "greener" than localized network management...fewer servers and corresponding hardware in small to mid-size businesses means less waste and power usage.

Google will have to face off with Microsoft's own virtual mega-app, Office Online. Users have access to familiar applications like Word, Excel and PowerPoint, in the "cloud." Google is attempting to mitigate this with plug-ins that integrate their apps with Office; however, adoption of a third party app will raise a few eyebrows with users. Price and timing (Office 2010 is in beta and most people are skeptical of any Microsoft upgrade) will be critical in order to convince businesses to convert to their software offerings.

Their biggest challenge; however, is that many small businesses still don't have access to affordable broadband technology. Without this infrastructure, connectivity is slow and cumbersome depending the application.