When Google launched the Google Apps Marketplace, I was pretty excited about the prospects of this marketplace. While Ben wrote about how it will positively impact the SMB segment, I was getting ecstatic about its potential on the enterprise side.
I think few years from now, when we look back in this space, we may even conclude that this is a pivotal moment that catapulted Google into a strong player in the enterprise market. This has a potential to not only lift the prospects of Google on the enterprise side, this move will also strengthen the future of SaaS in a big way.
In my opinion, Google not only enabled somewhat bigger players to sell in their marketplace, they also provided a way for developers and other smaller service providers to play in the marketplace. For example, individuals can offer services like setting up Google Apps for $30. All they have to do is to guide the customer to signup for Google Apps, setup the DNS records and activate different services in Google Apps. Any marketplace that opens up many opportunities for small and big players alike is a true marketplace and it has the potential to develop into a vibrant ecosystem.
Somewhere in the hype about the marketplace, another interesting news got lost in the noise. Google has opened up the Google Apps script gallery to developers and users so that they can publish their scripts in the gallery for others to consume.
Today, we are excited to make Google Apps Script available to everyone. Some of you may already be familiar with Google Apps Script within Google Apps, but in case you are new to it, Google Apps Script provides a powerful and flexible scripting environment that lets you automate actions across your spreadsheets, sites, calendars, and many other services.
This is pretty neat. This not only allows experienced developers to add value to Google services, it also opens up opportunity for relatively novice developers to showcase their talent by adding features on top of Google services with their own scripts. All these make Google very attractive for developers and has a potential to ensure a vibrant ecosystem around their services. What do you think?
You’re totally right Krishnan. The Apps Marketplace was one of the most exciting things I read in a long time. It’s a true win-win. Google is making a little money while simultaneously increasing Apps adoption. I also think this is a huge opportunity for Small Business Apps.
I’ve been on quite a few of the blogs/forums for some of the Marketplace’s App providers. The feedback from current users has been overwhelming, current users want Google Apps integration. Touting your Google Apps integration will soon be a huge selling point with Small Business Apps. As someone who helps small businesses setup these web-based Apps, I know for a fact that if I’m comparing 5 Apps, and 1 has deep integration into GApps, I’m going with that one. I’m sure I’m not the only thinking like this either.
[...] day one, I am pumped about Google Apps Marketplace and services like the ones offered by Cloud Sherpas not only entice SMB who are more likely to look [...]