Sprint Reaches Into Google's Cloud-Based Apps Services

Sprint plans to offer Google Apps for Business services in a move that puts the telecom company in partnership to support cloud-based apps and tools like Gmail, Calendar, Docs and Drive for enterprise clients beginning in August.

While Google has many partners in the program, the partnership with Sprint marks the first with a major U.S. wireless carrier. The deal through the Google Apps Reseller Program gives Google more access to business customers who want to access apps in the cloud.

For Sprint, the partnership provides a way to offer businesses cloud-based services -- something Google has been focusing on building for years. Sprint will not require businesses to have wireless service or device contracts with the purchase of the Google Apps suite.

Cloud-based computing will give business customers access to a variety of mobile tools for diversified work styles in the workplace, explains Mike Fitz, vice president of business solution commercialization, Sprint Business.

Cloud computing for businesses may seem more convenient, but securing data remains one of the major concerns among businesses when it comes to businesses using mobile apps, especially when the device belongs to the employee and not the employer. The Information Security Community on LinkedIn, and Vectra Networks, which offers real-time detection of in-progress cyber-attacks, released results from their second annual "BYOD & Mobile Security Study" highlighting mobile security in 2014.

The study, which polls 1,100 IT security experts, found that nearly half of respondents agree users bringing downloaded apps or content with embedded security exploits into their organization, as well as malware, are top security concerns. Some 60% said malware protection is a requirement for mobile security. Some 74% are concerned with protecting sensitive data and intellectual property; 69%, customer/employee data; and 66%, documents.

"Businessman With Smartphone" photo from Shutterstock.

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