Google ramps up corporate hosted apps with remote access security

Stuart Corner
Monday, 12 May 2008 04:27

Business IT - Technology

Google has greatly increased the attractiveness of its hosted applications portfolio especially to large corporates with the addition of a web security product that, according to Google, "makes it easy and affordable for companies of all sizes to provide Internet security to users in any location."

The service, Google Web Security for Enterprise, provides real-time malware protection and URL filtering with policy enforcement and reporting. Importantly it extends the same protections to users working remotely on laptops in hotels, cafes, and even guest networks. And because the product is delivered as a service, those remote workers get the protection wherever they are, without having to sign on to their corporate network.

The new product is the latest to flow from Google's October 2007 acquisition of security technology company Postini   and marks the implementation of a strategy clearly flagged by Dave Girouard, vice president and general manager of Google Enterprise at the time when he said: "With Postini, we saw the potential to deliver a more complete hosted solution for businesses of all sizes."

It will also considerably increase the attractiveness of Google Apps to large organisations a market for which it is going head to head with Microsoft. SaaS for general office applications has yet to catch on at the top end of town. In September 2007, Capgemini, one of the world's leading providers of consulting, technology and outsourcing services, announced plans to offer and support the Google Apps to large enterprises .  The company said at the time that it was targeting the global 2000 enterprises. Shortly afterwards it was bragging about the productivity gains from one of its first deployments.  However that was in one of its own call centres and it has made no similar announcements since.

Google Web Security is presently available only in North America and Europe. More information here .