Google Introduces Streamlined Partner Program for Google for Work and Education

Today Google announced broad changes to its existing partner programs that will create a more streamlined channel, allowing partners to better sell, service and innovate across both the Google for Work and Education platforms. New measures will unify existing programs across Apps, Chrome, Cloud Platforms, Maps and Search into one Google for Work and Education Partner Program.

Partners have long been key to Google’s success in the enterprise and EDU spaces and selling through the channel has traditionally served enterprise technology providers well (BetterCloud included). The new program, which includes three tracks – Sales, Services and Technology – will benefit Google and its customers as the former gears up for a prolonged and intensified battle against Microsoft’s Office 365. By making requirements for its new program more stringent, Google helps to ensure the efficacy and success of its channel and secures the future of its success in the enterprise.

The company also introduced a new Premier partner tier today featuring benefits like exclusive training and events, access to marketing funding and other financial incentives as well as designated partner manager support and more.

Today’s move signals a serious effort by Google to win over more business as companies increasingly migrate to the cloud. The announcement can also be seen as an effort to incentivize service providers not yet selling Google products to join in. Most importantly though, this drastic change proves Google’s overall commitment to its enterprise division and willingness to stray from past practices in an effort to drum up business.

In the past year, Microsoft too has sought to capitalize on the growing move to the cloud. The company’s new CEO was quick to revitalize Microsoft’s vision, emphasizing the importance of cloud and mobile, shortly after taking the helm. Most recently, Microsoft made versions of its popular Office products free to iOS and Android users and is giving away Office 365 Personal licenses with sales of its new thin client computer all in the hopes of growing its cloud messaging business.

Today’s announcement shows that Google is prepared to take drastic measures in order to ensure it comes out ahead of Microsoft. Ultimately though, this increased competition between Google and Microsoft is good for ecosystem partners like BetterCloud, resellers and especially customers as such competition forces innovation, reduces cost and is likely to increase interoperability between the two platforms. We’re excited to see what 2015 has in store for cloud messaging and expect to see continued improvements and adoption in the coming year.

For more on what’s to come for Google for Work, Office 365 and cloud messaging in general, check back next week for my 2015 predictions.