Google Launches Apps Premier
There was supposed to be a major announcement from Google yesterday and as expected it was announced in Wall Street Journal that they have launched Google Apps Premier, it subscriptions package of premium of hosted applications, such as G-Mail, Google Calendar, Google Talk, as well as Google Docs Applications all in one package. The Google Apps site has already been updated.
Webmail will come with 10 GB of storage and Apps Premier includes service level agreements that promise 99.9% uptime and 24/7 tech support. A full comparison of the standard and Premier services can be found here.
The service costs $50 per user per year, dramatically undercutting Microsoft’s offerings.
Previously they offered this Google Apps free, they still have that option besides this Premier version. It will be an excellent package for Small business and even business owners. The e-mail will be provided under their own domain name not only for the main owner but also for all of its employees. A 10GB storage is more than adequate. Google Apps doesn’t include PowerPresentation tool or CRM, but I am sure they will add them soon to the package. General Electric and Proctor and Gamble are cited as among the first Google Apps Premier customers.