Google and the enterprise

It has taken a while, but Google has now understood the importance of offering 24/7 phone support to its Google Apps customers. This will undoubtedly remove the barrier that may have once held back some organisations from signing up to Google’s IT services.

Microsoft has always played well in the enterprise playground, offering 24/7 phone support for its cloud-based Microsoft Office 365. “The cold hard truth is that organisations, especially enterprises, do not want to have to wait for an issue to be resolved. It appears that Google is now starting to offer more options to cater to its enterprise consumers,” remarked Kareem Tawansi, CEO of software development provider, Solentive Software.

“The reality of a large part of offering services to enterprises is that it is largely based on relationships. Offering services such as phone support means that you are willing to talk to your customers, which in a way, is a form of a relationship and something that is highly valued when the customer is an enterprise,” continued Kareem.

“For some time now, Google has been making a play for the enterprise space, one where Microsoft sits very comfortably. However, it seems Google is now driving a serious push for a greater share of the enterprise market. Although I don’t see Google owning a large share of the enterprise market in the near future, offering phone support is certainly heading in the right direction in achieving that aim,” concluded Kareem.