Maybe there is more to come, but I use iGoogle and the Google Toolbar now and like some of the functionality for quick access to search, gmail, and the bookmarks. I have given up using IE and Firefox to store bookmarks, I’ll just use Google and their toolbar. But with Google Chrome the only way that I can access my Goolgle bookmarks is through iGoogle. I have to type in or book mark gmail as well… I personally expected MUCH tighter integration with gmail and other Google Apps then what I saw when I tested out Google Chrome.

Just my 2 cents.

1. Open Source: You’ll find that Untangle is having a lot of success lining up MSPs to support the company’s open source security offerings. Also, some VARs are becoming SaaS providers that host SugarCRM (open source CRM), Zimbra (open source email), MySQL (database) and the list goes on. Lots of activity for open source SaaS.

2. Google Apps: I think it’s very, very early in the Google Apps game. Check out this Google video explaining how Google Apps relates to VARs and MSPs.

I would also recommend keeping an eye on Zoho, a Google Apps rival that has strong links to the managed services industry. Full disclosure: Zoho’s parent (AdventNet) sponsors this site but I’ve been a Zoho advocate and watcher for about two years … so my tracking of the company pre-dates MSPmentor.

Again, it’s very early in the Google Apps game. But ignoring this market shift would be foolish.

Great post and I’ve been using Chrome since it was available and I have to say, it is the fastest and best experience I’ve ever had with a browser to date. I digress.

I completely agree with you about thinking outside the Microsoft box and it makes me wonder about supporting “open source” applications/OS’s. Are other MSP’s adopting this and profiting? I have seen a few that are beginning to include “Google Apps Management” in their offerings and I wonder how that is actually panning out? Is this a trend or a fad? Consequently, do any MSP’s see profitability or just value add?