Google Unveils Apps Premier Edition

Google is launching a business version of its application suite, with 24-hour telephone support and 10GB of storage, at a cost to companies of $50 per user. Additional storage capacity is available at an extra cost.

Google Apps Premier Edition provides email, calendars, instant messaging word processor and spreadsheet applications and also features APIs (application programming interfaces), allowing hosted applications to be customised with company logos. It also supports Gmail for BlackBerrys.

The application suite is aimed at organisations who have limited time to deal with technology issues. Because Google Apps is delivered as services accessible over the Internet, with Google storing the data, it reduces the cost and time required to mange computers and software.

The premier edition is compatible with Microsoft products and should complement business software already in place.

However, some companies may be concerned about the storage of potentially sensitive data on third-party systems. This is especially an issue with storing data with Google, a company that traditionally has made a big point of developing applications for data-mining purposes.

Because of this, businesses may well wish to ensure they have proper levels of data protection in place, or else face a potential privacy nightmare.