Going for more direct competition with MSFT, Google appears ready to announce tomorrow, Monday 28-August, plans that it will offer software providing a range of online services for business users.
Vice president and general manager of Google’s enterprise business, David Girourad, called the move a “starting point” for Google in catering to business users.
Initially, the package will be free, but later this year Google plans to begin selling a version that includes additional features as well as technical support.
Mr. Girouard said he expected the pay service to appeal to larger organizations. He would not discuss any plans for pricing.
Google’s software offerings beyond search are focused on communications and enabling workers to collaborate, but the company is testing spreadsheet software and a word-processing program called Writely that will soon be offered over the Web.
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