Google Launches YouTube-Like Service For Business Subscribers

Google Inc. (GOOG) is launching a service that will allow its business software subscribers to view and share video clips in the same way that consumers use the company's popular YouTube site.

The Mountain View, Calif.-based Internet company said Google's video-for- business service will enable anyone to upload employee-generated videos, from executive communications to product training clips and trip reports, and share them securely with individuals or their entire company.

The new video service will be available to subscribers of Google Apps Premier Edition software - which includes online messaging, word processing, spreadsheet and security applications - and marks the company's latest attempt to woo customers away from Microsoft Corp.'s (MSFT) office software.

Ted Schadler, an analyst at research boutique Forrester, said the service might prove popular with companies that want to use the video functions for their sales and training departments. That could drive more business to Google Apps, he said.

Employees will be allowed to store up to three gigabytes of video, or roughly 300 minutes, per year. Users will be able to control whether they share videos with individuals, groups or their entire organization. They can also embed their clips on any internal Web page, search for other people's videos, add comments to clips and rate them.

Google said it will provide storage for the video clips, eliminating the need for companies to invest in complex and expensive systems needed to operate such a service. That could boost its popularity, particularly with smaller and mid- sized companies looking to add video capability to their internal communications.

Dave Girouard, president of Google's enterprise division, said the market for corporate videos has been a "zero billion dollar market" primarily because previous video products were too pricey for most companies to adopt.

Google said business subscribers will only need an Internet connection and a Web browser to use its business video service. The video service, available immediately, will be included in the $50-per-user annual Google Apps Premier Edition subscriber fee.

Critics have complained that Google's premier edition software is not nearly as robust as Microsoft Office, which retails for $499.99. But Google claims its productivity software compensates for its shortcomings by being more adept at fostering collaboration among widely scattered employees.

A Google spokesman said the addition of its video service pushes its corporate software package beyond the capabilities of Microsoft Office. Melissa Webster, an analyst at IDC, predicted that Google's corporate video offering will force groups such as Microsoft and Adobe Systems Inc. (ADBE) to develop competing technology.

Google said it would also soon incorporate video capabilities into its educational software package, eventually charging $10 per user annually for the service.

Source: Washingtonpost.com