The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Google is preparing its online apps store, with the hopes of giving its Google Apps business some much need spike as well as to enable Google to strengthen its ties with business partners. The new online store will not only push Google’s suite of business apps, but business software of its partners as well
The said online apps store if indeed true will either complement Google’s current solutions marketplace or completely replace it. This marketplace currently serves as an online repository of various add-ons, tools and support for Google Apps users. The new online apps store will strengthen Google’s tie-up with partners in delivering software/application solutions to users.
So, how does Google earn from selling its partners’ products? – By taking a slice off the sales from customers who will be allowed to directly purchase the software from the online apps store. Google will also share some revenue to software developers. And to make this scheme appealing to consumers, Google is allowing them to quickly access their purchase apps by providing a menu at the top of their screens which will appear within Gmail or Google Docs.
While full details may still be rough at this time, it is clear that Google is not only competing against Microsoft’s Enterprise Solutions business but with other online apps store as well such as Apple and Salesforce AppExchange.
