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Google partners up? Salesforce.com deal NO Microsoft killer

Salesforce.com to do the Google Dance?In the immortal words of Michael Arrington:A partnership could be the consolation prize to Google after failed takeover talks, or this could all be nothing more than silicon valley gossip.
Written by Donna Bogatin, Contributor

Salesforce.com to do the Google Dance?

In the immortal words of Michael Arrington:

A partnership could be the consolation prize to Google after failed takeover talks, or this could all be nothing more than silicon valley gossip. Either way, it’s a snoozer.

Thanks to more “people familiar with the matter,” the Wall Street Journal writes “Google, Salesforce.com weigh alliance to battle Microsoft”:

"These people said” one outcome could be a Web-based offering that integrates some of Google’s online services such as email and instant messaging with those of Salesforce.com whose CRM tools help salespeople track their accounts.

Not surprisingly, “details about how such a service might be sold are still in flux.”

One thing is certain though, the Google-Intuit Web-based “alliance” announced many moons ago with much fare will NOT serve as a best practices for emulation.

In February I wrote:

Almost six months ago, Steve Bennett, CEO, Intuit, sang the praises of Google “integration” into QuickBooks 2007. In reporting F2Q07 earnings to Wall Street, Bennett touted “Intuit delivered another solid quarter with revenue and non-GAAP EPS above the high-end of our guidance range.”

No thanks to Google, apparently.

Ditto for F3Q07, reported last week.

Asked by an analyst in February about the Intuit-Google alliance which had been deemed by the companies to forge “Two companies, one powerful solution,” Bennett only offered:

I would tell you its still early and we haven't seen a huge lift on that yet.

Last week, Google never even came up. Could Intuit STILL be waiting for a Googley lift, or has it given up on Google?

Microsoft trumps Google in Intuit QuickBooks I analyzed in February.

“By teaming up, Google and Salesforce.com could be better equipped to contend with Microsoft, a mutual rival,” the Wall Street Journal asserts.

BUT, Google Apps and Google Enterprise do not now (seriously) compete against Microsoft on a stand alone basis, as Google CEO Eric Schmidt recognizes publicly.

SEE:  How Microsoft battles Google in Search warfare

Salesforce.com deal or not, Google Apps and Google Enterprise are STILL the Google Apps and Google Enterprise that organizations do NOT resoundingly know and love.

In other words, Is Google Enterprise Search a joke? remains the enterprise question du jour.

AS WELL AS:  Google vs. Microsoft Office? NO: vs. Open Office (.org)! and Is Google Office really an enigma? and Google user data cloud: Do you trust it? and Google Apps goes Enterprise Professional: $5000 please

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