Mountain View, California -
Google Inc is strengthening its assault on
Microsoft by opening an online shop for its
business software service, the company announced Tuesday. Google's business customers can access applications built by third-party developers on Google Apps Marketplace, it said.
The platform is open to all customers of Google Apps Premier, the standard edition and the version for educational institutions, the company said on Wednesday.
Google Apps has more than 25 million users, it said.
Alongside paid-for programs for businesses, the office software collection can be used free in its cut-down version.
In contrast to traditional software, the programs are supplied over the internet and do not need to be installed on individual computers.
Information
technology administrators of the business clients can buy the software with just a few clicks in the new shop, Google said.
The initial range includes a payroll application and an online collaboration application.
