Google Launches Business Software

Google Inc. said Sunday that it was making a concerted move beyond searching and advertising into the business-software market -- starting with a set of Web programs for e-mail, scheduling and communications.

The online search leader said it had created a software platform to run basic business activities based on programs it already offers separately.

The move marks a stepped-up challenge to software giant Microsoft Corp., which is preparing to upgrade its Windows and Office franchises.

The free Google Apps for Your Domain, a set of Web-based programs for small businesses, universities and nonprofits, is at www.google.com/a.

Later this year, Google said, it will offer a “paid, premium” version that can be ad-free and will provide more administrative control and compliance features to meet the demands of bigger corporations and government agencies.

Pricing for this more advanced version is not yet available, the company said.

Google will host the applications, thus relieving companies of the need to install and maintain software -- support tasks often more costly than software itself.

“If we do it right, we get the best of both worlds -- very consumer-friendly software, but also low-cost business applications,” said Dave Girouard, general manager of Google’s enterprise division, which sells search software to companies.

Google’s primary appeal has been to people who use its popular Web search engine and advertising systems.

Sue Feldman, an analyst with market research firm IDC, said Google Apps would move the company into open competition with Microsoft.