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Google battles Microsoft with new online software tools

Google said it would offer businesses tailor-made versions of its free email service Gmail, instant messaging, voice calling, shared calendars and basic design, publishing and hosting of websites.

The company is marketing its “Google Apps for Your Domain” service to smaller companies, non-profit groups and universities that want the full range of web-based corporate services without the cost.

“The service scales easily to accommodate growing user bases and storage needs while drastically reducing maintenance costs,” Google said in a statement.

The service expands on basic online software already offered by Google such as word processing and spreadsheets that analysts say are part of a strategy by the search titan to take on industry leader Microsoft at its own game.

Dave Girouard, vice president of Google’s enterprise group, said the new package “eliminates many of the expenses and hassles of maintaining a communications infrastructure, which is welcome relief for many small business owners and IT staffers”.

“Organizations can let Google be the experts in delivering high quality email, messaging, and other web-based services while they focus on the needs of their users and their day-to-day business,” he said.