Network operator Verizon and search engine giant Google announced the
availability of Google Apps for Business—a suite of online tools that includes
Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs and Google Sites—for Verizon with the
option to be bundled with Verizon's other business solutions.
High-speed Internet, unlimited nationwide calling, Verizon Websites powered
by Intuit, Verizon Online Backup and Sharing, and Verizon Internet Security
Suite are among the small-business bundles Verizon offers.
Google Apps for Verizon—with three free user accounts—is available to
business customers who subscribe to a bundle consisting of Verizon Internet
service and either Verizon voice or TV service or both. Customers have the
option to buy additional accounts. Also included is a domain name free for one
year. Verizon's business bundled solutions are available in parts of 12 states
(California, Connecticut,
Delaware, Florida,
Maryland, Massachusetts,
New Jersey, New
York, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, Texas
and Virginia) and Washington,
D.C. Those businesses that just need Apps
can subscribe to Google Apps for Verizon for $3.99 per user per month.
Gmail for business includes integrated voice and video chat and instant
messaging, and includes 25GB of storage, while Google Docs enables users to
create and share documents, spreadsheets and presentations online, with the
ability for up to 50 people to simultaneously edit the same document. Businesses
can also create Websites using Google Sites with no HTML skills required.
"Whether you use other online applications or Google Apps for Verizon,
is your first step in moving your business online, the power of the Web offers
substantial benefits. With easy-to-use applications that enable you to access
your information anywhere, you can boost productivity and set your business up
for success," Jack Weixel, business development manager for Google, said
in a blog. "Plus, you no longer have to spend scarce resources building an
infrastructure that can be more efficiently run 100 percent in the cloud.
Together, Verizon and Google will help you achieve business goals faster and be
more productive than ever before."
To better help and inform small businesses, Verizon's small business team
also developed the Verizon Small
Business Center,
an online portal with free resources, industry news, advice delivered through
free Webinars, networking opportunities, discounts and more. "In combining
these free resources with cloud products and services, we're helping small
businesses gain a competitive edge," said Verizon Small Business Marketing
Vice President Monte Beck. "Even the smallest companies now have access to
technology that's being used by larger businesses at minimal cost."
SMB Partner 
