This week the Wall Street Journal reported that Google is preparing to launch an improved online apps store. Google are thought to be keen to boost their Google Apps business with a much needed new approach, as well as enabling Google to strengthen its ties with various business partners at the same time. The new online store will push Google’s suite of business apps, as well enforcing the business software of its partners at the same time.
Rumours vary as to whether Google new apps store will either complement Google’s current solutions marketplace or completely replace it. Google current markets a repository of various add-ons, tools and support for Google Apps users, however the new online apps store is said to be designed to strengthen Google’s relationships with partners in delivering software & application solutions to users.
Google’s revenue generation in this market will change, by simply taking a slice off the sales from users who will be allowed to purchase the software directly from the apps store. At the same time Google will share revenues with the software developers, and to make this new plan more appealing to customers, Google is allowing them quicker access to apps by providing a menu at the top of their screens which will appear within apps such as Gmail or Google Docs.
App stores seem to be in fashion right now and Google’s plans for a new apps store, seems a direct challenge to the market leaders in this areas – Apple’s App Store, Microsoft’s Enterprise Solutions and Salesforce’s AppExchange.
