One of the missing ingredients in Google's growing Web Office suite is a CRM component. While there is little sign yet of Google providing CRM, a small startup called Etelos has done just that. Etelos has launched a new product called CRMforGoogle, which is a web-based CRM tool that integrates very nicely with Google’s personalized home page and Google Apps.
Essentially CRMforGoogle is a package of Etelos produced 'Google Personalized Homepage' gadgets, which all have CRM functionality. Etelos has cleverly packaged all their gadgets up into an actual product. In fact, if you look at this screenshot, you'd think it was a Google product!
Etelos has launched CRMforGoogle today as a limited Beta release. Features include customizable modules, contact management, task management, the ability to automate client follow up, share schedules and manage projects, and more - all within Google’s Personalized Homepage.
The initial Beta period is by invitation only - you can request an account at their website. Post-beta, CRMforGoogle will made available in three versions: Personal, Professional and Enterprise. The Personal edition will be free and the Professional and Enterprise editions will have a monthly subscription. The Enterprise edition will be more customizable and will allow businesses to use their own hosting environment - and integrate other software.
CRMforGoogle also says it offers "limited integration" with Google Calendar and Google Spreadsheets. Further integration with those, as well as GMail and Google Docs, is on their agenda.
I have to say, it's a very smart move by Etelos to integrate closely with Google's start page - and associate themselves with Google's Office apps. If they can get away with it!
I see a couple of potential issues for Etelos - one is the name of their product, which features the word "Google" in it. It'll be interesting to see if Google lawyers have anything to say about that. The second potential issue is whether Google lets Etelos market their product so closely associated with Google's own start page and office products. Etelos is walking a fine line here, but I applaud them for what looks like a very smart marketing move - at the very least - and a nicely presented set of CRM gadgets.
Note that Etelos does have some fine print on their homepage, addressing the trademark issues:
"CRMforGoogle was designed by Etelos as a CRM for Google; hence the name. Etelos is a trademark of Etelos, Inc. Google is a trademark of Google. Any such reference to Google is solely intended to benefit the trademark owner with no intention of infringement. This product is available as an application designed to work with Google personalized homepage (iGoogle) and Google Apps for Your Domain. This product is in no way an endorsement by Google and Google is not responsible for the features and functionality of this application."
However that may not be enough to keep Google's lawyers from knocking on their door...
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Wow this is so cool checkout CRM for Google from Etelos, this is shere marketing brilliance. I have spoken before about modular components (gadgets) forming business solutions before, but these guys take the biscuit not only leveraging Google's goodies... Read More
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This is certainly good timing, so soon after Google offers their Google Suite. All Etelos has to do now is charge $50 a month and it's a shoe in.
Google could even acquire them and attempt to compete with SalesForce. Why not?
Posted by: Don Vaillancourt | February 28, 2007 5:12 PMya definitely a good move. they must have been working on it for a while and then scramble to get the announcement and beta out once google premier was released. looking forward to checking it out.
Posted by: Andre Charland | February 28, 2007 6:22 PMUnfortunately Google's lawyers almost definitely will have something to say about it, because in the US if you don't move to protect your trademark you risk losing it. But they could, if they're feeling charitable, either 1. license the use of their name for a nominal amount (like $1/year) or 2. you know, buy Etelos. ;)
Posted by: Josh | February 28, 2007 8:31 PMNice application, been waiting for this one for a while. If google was smart they'd acquire. Unless they are working on their own solution...seems to be the missing link.
I don't think they'll send the lawyers, they want people to develop around their platform.
Posted by: Kin Lane | February 28, 2007 10:36 PMThere is another similar application called FunClient.com
Posted by: Parama | February 28, 2007 11:04 PMIts a simplified web based CRM application.
If they really are that smart then they would build these widgets using the UWA (universal widget api) announced at FOWA London that will allow these widgets to be shared between google, netvibes and others. See http://eco.netvibes.com/uwa/
They could then remove any branding conflicts with google and avoid the associated problems.
Now, if they do that, I'll buy into it and I'm sure their market would increase exponentially.
Posted by: Marc McHale | March 1, 2007 3:04 AMIf the Google Lawyers come knocking, let us hope that it will be an offer to buy.
Posted by: Adrian keys | March 1, 2007 7:29 AMreminds me of the movie anti-trust. I think someone will get killed/hired soon. Watch out for people allergic to sesame seeds.
Posted by: Jeremy Kandah | March 2, 2007 6:51 AMI think Google will be more than happy to go along with this, they'll probably just want to add the (tm) or something after their name. This wasn't a rushed project at all on Etelos' part, they already have a CRM product, it only took them 2 days to customize it for Google's homepage. The platform they have is pretty slick, anyone can get in and customize it really
Posted by: Joel | March 3, 2007 12:05 PM