Search engine giant Google has teamed up with Salesforce to provide a new jointly developed and co-marketed product, which combines Google AdWords with Salesforce's on-demand CRM.The service targets small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and is due to replace Saleforce's current offering Team.
Bigmouthmedia reported rumours of the prospect of Google's alliance with Salesforce last month. However, despite intense speculation that the two would pair up to combat Microsoft's Live application and its move into on-demand software, Google and Salesforce have only combined for a single product.
"Combining the power and simplicity of Salesforce with Google AdWords helps businesses find and keep customers to ultimately drive their continued success," said Eric Schmidt, Google chief executive, in a statement.
Marc Benioff, Salesforce chief executive, added: "The alliance of Google and Salesforce brings together the world's leading platforms to empower small and medium-size businesses to accelerate and thrive."
The two companies have been working together since 2003, although this is the first jointly-developed product they have produced and takes their relationship to a new level.
To improve search engine optimisation, the system is designed to allow companies to connect to Google AdWords when related terms are entered on their site, as well as distribute their own ads on Google AdSense.
When potential customers click on the ad, they are taken to the company's site where they are encouraged to fill out a records form. This information is then sent to Salesforce as a potential sales lead.
"There is just an enormous opportunity out there with millions of small businesses out there, and it makes a natural place for [Google and Salesforce] to collaborate more closely," Bruce Francis, Salesforce's vice president of corporate strategy, told CRN.com.
