Microsoft Exec: Google Not 'Serious' About Enterprise

Google says it's preparing to challenge Microsoft in the corporate market by offering more accessible business programs than Microsoft's highly popular Office suite of productivity software.

However, Microsoft executives say they're not worried about Google stealing the software giant's enterprise customers any day soon.

They're apparently responding to a recent interview in which Google vice president Amit Singh said his company intends to lure business users away from Microsoft Office. To do that, Singh indicated that Google will offer business software that is easier to use than Microsoft's Office suite.

Microsoft: Google Not "Serious" About Enterprise

Microsoft business division general manager Julia White says she's not concerned about Google's stated intention because she believes Google "has not yet shown they are truly serious" about offering applications for enterprise users. (Source: businessinsider.com)

Furthermore, White implied that Google has not yet created enterprise software products that "provide a quality enterprise experience" in areas like "privacy, data handling and security."

White also suggested Google might be completely out of its element when attempting to challenge Microsoft in the lucrative corporate market. "From the outside, they are an advertising company," White said.

Numbers appear to support White's position. According to Business Insider, only four per cent of Google's revenue in 2011 came from enterprise services. The remaining 96 per cent came from advertising. (Source: businessinsider.com)

White Touts Office 365 Cloud Integration

White also discussed Microsoft's new Office 365 software, which integrates cloud technology with the company's traditional Office package. According to White, Office 365 is "on track to be our fastest-growing business." (Source: cnet.com)

However, White and other Microsoft leaders may still be concerned that Google has made early, significant inroads with enterprise users. The firm has recently signed agreements to provide software to Dillards, Kohl's, Office Depot, and Hoffman-La Roche.

Certainly, Amit Singh recognizes these are notable achievements that clearly demonstrate Google's potential for success in challenging Microsoft for enterprise customers.

According to Google's Singh, 2012 "was the year where we broke the barrier and got large-scale customer adoption."