Microsoft Office vs Google Apps

Since Google released its Google Apps package many have wondered what this means for Microsoft Office. Coming up, Webpronews attempts to answer some of your questions by talking to Jupiter Research analyst, Michael Gartenberg.

This week, Capgemini announced its partnership with Google in support of the Google Apps package. The Google Apps package includes the Google email package Gmail as well as word processors, spreadsheet and business presentation software. And, as suspected, this gets the competition rolling again with Microsoft and their Microsoft Office suite. Google says their software package is simply a set of complimentary service options and is part of a plan to diversify away from its core businesses of Internet searches and advertising.

So should there be a competition issue between Microsoft and Google? Webpronews caught up with Jupiter Research analyst, Michael Gartenberg to get his take on the answer to the question everyone is asking.

Well, the Google Apps stuff isn’t really going to replace Microsoft Office or products like that for mainstream knowledge workers. For people that don’t have those particular needs it may very well be sufficient. But the truth is those don’t really represent lost sales for Microsoft because typically you wouldn’t be buying the Office suite of applications for workers that fall into that category in any event.

Although many companies use Microsoft Office, Google has been known for producing many successful products. Gartenberg did not give a specific number but it does go without being said that Google will most likely receive many users of its software package.

I think people are going to be looking at it very, very closely in terms of meeting the technology needs. I wouldn’t want to estimate a given number at this particular point. But it certainly is interesting that we are seeing Google continue to slowly ease their way into this space and while they don’t represent a significant challenge to Microsoft Office today, we do know how quickly these things can change.

One issue that hasn’t received much attention is the fact that Google Apps seems to operate just as well with Firefox as it does with Internet Explorer. According to Gartenberg, Microsoft does not yet view this as a threat.

Jupiter Research analyst, Michael Gartenberg:

Given the lock-in to not only to Office and its applications, but things like the Office file formats, the ability to read those documents whether they’re word processing, spreadsheet or presentations, this isn’t something that is going to gain mass appeal any time in the near future.