Frost & Sullivan and Cloud Alliance for Google Apps Report Reveals Key Link Between Satisfaction with Google Apps and Use of Third-party Applications
New York, New York (PRWEB) October 14, 2014 -- The Google Apps Marketplace and its complementary offerings are in part responsible for the wide-scale success of Google Apps says a new white paper released by Frost & Sullivan. The paper, released in conjunction with the Cloud Alliance for Google Apps, further supports findings from a report published by Frost earlier this year citing the importance of Marketplace applications in the success and adoption of the Google Apps platform.
Insights culled from responses of more than 1,100 Google Apps administrators point to a growing reliance on third-party applications used to bolster existing Apps deployments and an increased willingness by IT professionals to transition corporate IT entirely the cloud.
According to Frost & Sullivan Industry Principal Robert Arnold, “companies are moving away from long-term capital expenditures and toward flexible cloud solutions. They are seeking the predictable operational expenditure and flexibility of cloud solutions.”
And the important role played by third-party applications has not been lost on Google. This past year, Google launched a new Technology Partner track aimed at elevating the status of qualified developers and providing technical, marketing and sales support. Google’s renewed focus on the Marketplace and the release of a new category of integrated applications known as Add-ons for Docs and Sheets highlight the importance Google and administrators alike place on a vibrant and expanding ecosystem.
Added focus from Google on third-party solutions is even helping organizations do away with prior investments made in Microsoft’s on-premises technology. Replacing critical functionality like Microsoft Visio or Project as well as finding new ways to manage and secure the Google Apps suite are not only crucial from an administrator’s perspective, but can greatly ease the transition to Google Apps for end users who have operated on Microsoft Office for years. “We have used third-party apps to increase productivity, lower costs, increase functionality and increase adoption from the end users,” notes a senior IT leader at Konica Minolta.
Third-party providers that have stepped into provide expanded functionality beyond native Apps functionality have been embraced widely by Google Apps customers. A senior IT administrator at the Alzheimer’s Association notes that, “While Google is a huge company, they just can’t do everything. Just as in the old desktop software days, deeply integrated third-party solutions are needed to enhance the base product. I think it’s great that Google has established the Apps Marketplace, allowing IT admins to enhance Apps with third-party, cloud-based solutions.”
Key Findings:
- To optimize deployments of cloud technology, specifically Google Apps, organizations are turning to enterprise marketplaces like the Google Apps Marketplace to find highly integrated third-party solutions that enhance and extend functionality of the native Apps suite
*Third-party Marketplace applications, especially those with the deepest integrations, are seen as crucial to Apps administrators’ satisfaction with Google Apps and placement of the suite at the center of their IT infrastructure
- Marketplace applications are being used to replace functionality found in Microsoft Office and are as such helping organizations deprecate their use of on-premises Microsoft products
To further bolster the Google Apps Marketplace and its solution providers, today the Cloud Alliance for Google Apps is announcing expanded membership. Independent software vendors interested in joining the Alliance can learn more about membership requirements and benefits here.
About the Cloud Alliance for Google Apps
Founded in 2011, the Cloud Alliance for Google Apps is comprised of the leading independent software vendors in the Google Apps ecosystem. Member companies provide software solutions covering a variety of objectives including management and security, backup, project management, productivity, unified communications, conference calling, workflow infrastructure, CRM, migration services and help desk support. Members include BetterCloud, Esna, Insightly, Lucidchart, Fujitsu RunMyProcess, ShuttleCloud, Smartsheet, Spanning, Yesware, UberConference and Zendesk. For more information visit http://www.cloudallianceforgoogleapps.com.
About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best-in-class positions in growth, innovation and leadership. The company's Growth Partnership Service provides the CEO and the CEO's Growth Team with disciplined research and best-practice models to drive the generation, evaluation, and implementation of powerful growth strategies. We leverage 50 years of experience in partnering with Global 1,000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from over 40 offices on six continents. To join our Growth Partnership, please visit http://www.frost.com.
Gail Axelrod, BetterCloud, +1 (646) 355-0607 Ext: 305, [email protected]
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