Google Reseller APIs Help Sell Google Apps

As any good Internet marketer knows, on the social web the customers should come to you. Google Apps is now making it easier for its resellers to promote its apps through their own services. To attract more customers, Google’s newly introduced Reseller API allows IT service providers and channel tools developers to integrate Google Apps sign-up and administration functions into customer-interfacing programs, such as a webhost sign-up process.

The Google API automates the scaling of a Google Apps business. Google Apps resellers and system integrators can directly integrate Google Apps reseller tools into their customer and sales systems, as well as the management of Google Apps monthly post-pay subscriptions. The API works with Google Apps for Business, Google Drive and Google App Vault.

The three main functions of the API are to add customer accounts, transfer accounts, and view customer subscription information. Providing an example of a successful deployment of the Google API, the Google Enterprise blog cites a domain host provider, Megazone, that has integrated the Reseller API into its customer signup process. At this stage, the customer also has the option of signing up for Google Apps. “If a customer opts-in for a Google Apps trial, they’re automatically set up in Megazone’s reseller console with a trial subscription. The customer can then sign in and start using Google Apps right away. This is a more scalable and easier way for customers to sign up for Google Apps through Megazone,” explains Jaideep Mirchandani, Product Manager, Google Enterprise on the Google Enterprise blog.

There are many ways in which the automation of Google Apps sales can be enhanced by the API. For example, a customer can be given access to manage his account, such as changing the subscription rate, or upgrading. Streamlining the reselling process can free up resources for other tasks.

Google Apps resellers act as an extended sales force for Google, receiving a 20 percent discount on the Google Apps they sell by packaging them with their products and services, and benefit from ongoing revenue. Google Business users, for example, pay Google $5 a month per user. Resellers provide a more customized user experience than buying directly from Google. They can use Google tools such as Google App Engine and Google Sites, for example, to tailor products for customers and industries. Google’s reseller partners, now numbering over 3,000 in 70 countries, receive training and certification.

Demand for Google Apps is growing the fastest in the enterprise market, which is a bigger user of the value added resellers and systems integrators who will deploy the new Google API. Enhancements to Google’s cloud-based offerings, including mobile device management and Chromebook-as-a-service, is also increasing demand for Google Drive and other apps. (CL) Link