Google now has 2 million business customers, up from 1.75 million in June, said Rajen Sheth, senior product manager for the applications, called Google Apps. The company charges $50 per user per year. Companies with fewer than 50 employees can use a free version that is supported by ads.
“The business itself is accelerating,” Sheth said in an interview. “Its definitely an emerging business within Google which were investing in really heavily.”
Google, which gets almost all of its sales from search- based ads, is branching out into business software that includes e-mail, word processing and spreadsheets. The programs, accessed over the Web, compete against Microsofts Office. Google also competes with Microsoft on mobile phones and is developing software that provides an alternative to Windows.
Google, owner of the most-used Internet search engine, said it has more than 20 million users for Google Apps, up from 15 million in June. Among the latest customers are Tokyo-based Konica Minolta Holdings Inc., the printer and copier maker, and Glen Allen, Virginia-based MeadWestvaco Corp., a packaging company.
The campaign will include billboards in airports and train stations, as well as print and online ads. It targets customers in countries such as the UK, France, Australia and Singapore, said Tom Oliveri, marketing director for Googles business unit.
The company had previously advertised its business software on four billboards in the U.S. Oliveri said the campaign is the biggest so far for Googles business software. He declined to say how much Google is spending.
Google climbed $19.94, or 3.8 percent, to $549.85 on Oct. 16 in Nasdaq Stock Market trading. The shares have gained 79 percent this year.