Google Apps--Should This Worry Microsoft?

Seems the boys in Redmond noticed all the K-20 institutions switching to Google Apps for Education. Just in our State alone, NC State switched, the NC Department of Public Instruction, and about 20 school systems, including ours.  Yes, cost definitely exists as a large factor, but Google Apps provides a good product as well.  While not quite open, unlike Android, which Google develops, I feel comfortable using it knowing Google will tightly integrate it into the upcoming Chrome OS and of course Android.

So, with all this interest in Google Docs, what does Microsoft do?  In the most recent eSchool News (http://www.eschoolnews.com/), Microsoft will team up with the popular ePals email system.  We actually have some schools using ePals to pen pal with other classrooms around the world.  Microsoft will provide their Live@edu email service and calendaring to the users.  Apparently, ePals users will also eventually receive the Microsoft suite of office tools online sometime in the future as well.

While some may see this as Microsoft providing a service to customers, I, of course, always the skeptic, see it as Microsoft trying to ensure the use of their Office Suite.  If people continue to use Google Docs and free/open source products, such as Open Office, there will be fewer overpriced office suites sold.  I wonder if they really are beginning to hurt from the high usage of Google Docs and Open Office.  We will really give Google Docs a strong look, and maybe I can persuade my staff and district to abandon Microsoft Office entirely.  It will take a little doing, but hopefully we can eventually do this. And I do not think we will be the first ones…