Although most people think of search results when they think of Google, the company is a powerhouse when it comes to business applications.
With its web-based email, calendars, document sharing, data storage, and other services, Google is fast becoming a necessary part of business operations for many companies, and that's giving Minneapolis-based
Agosto a major boost.
The firm specializes in Google Apps, and was one of the first to partner with Google for application development. CEO Aric Bandy notes that Agosto's Google Apps team grew 400 percent last year, leading to the opening of a Toronto office and more work than the company can handle.
Google is distinctive in the marketplace for offering a platform that's scalable, he says, as well as deeply collaborative. Anyone who's ever worked on a document in Google Docs, for example, knows that the app is user-friendly, efficient, and reliable.
"Google offers a radical way to interact with other people," says Bandy. "Other solutions aren't as flexible in the same way. Because of that, these apps fit well with agile, lean companies and that's driving consumption."
For the near future, Bandy expects Agosto to continue on its strong growth track, with app development leading the way, especially as more people get mobile. Creating workflow technology that synchs well with iPads and tablets, for instance, will be a boon to more growth.
"This is a very exciting time for this field, and we're happy to be part of it," Bandy says.
Source: Aric Bandy, Agosto
Writer: Elizabeth Millard