Google needs to read the ‘Hailstorm’ history books

This ActiveWin.com article makes a very valid point.

Google has just released a Google Apps targeted at small businesses with simple needs for Word processing and spreadsheet applications.

Hailstorm was a Microsoft code name for the single sign-on passport technology that would allow businesses to sign in to passport and then be authenticated for their business applications.

Although quite a good idea on paper it never took off because businesses would not trust Microsoft with their customers data and did not like the idea of a 3rd party involved. It ended up being a miserable failure and only remnants of hailstorm exist in the new Windows Live services.

Although Microsoft Office could well do with more online collaboration features I don't think Microsoft's cash cow that is Office is under much treat from this new google release.