Google has launched their GAPE (Google Apps Premiere Edition) reseller program on Wednesday, which is one step ahead from its current Google Docs offerings. From the end of March, authorized resellers will be able to sell, customize and support premium versions of Google Apps, which includes word processing, spreadsheets, calendars and email.
Resellers will be able to buy the Premiere Edition at a 20% discount and keep the recurring revenue for the lifetime of their customer relationship.The search leader already offers a basic package of Google Apps for free to consumers.
Google has sold directly to business users over the Web since its launch of Google Apps in February 2007 and so far it has managed to get 200,000 Google Apps Premier customers. Whereas, Microsoft sells more than 95% of its software through various third party resellers.
Google is already competing with Microsoft with the release of Android & Chrome and there is a high possibility that Google may launch reseller programs for its other products too.
Not to forget that Microsoft is also taking its next version of Office, Office 14, to the web.