Charles Babcock writes:
Google sees itself as a disruptive force, first in reorganizing the world’s information and second at delivering email and other services from the cloud. Its pride as a disrupter is getting in the way of convincing state and federal governments to accept its cloud services.
Previously, Google complained to the press that it had been cut out of the three-year, $50 million state of California contract to reorganize its email systems. Now it’s suing the federal government over email requirements that it says favor Microsoft and rule out Gmail.
Read more on InformationWeek. It’s an interesting commentary on how Google’s attitude toward data, privacy, and individuals may be biting it badly now.
Meanwhile, over on Federal Computer, John Zyskowski has his own take on the significance of the Google lawsuit:
After years of buildup and hype, cloud computing appears to have finally reached business-as-usual status in the government market. Google filed a lawsuit late last month that alleged the Interior Department unfairly favored rival Microsoft in setting requirements for bids to provide a cloud-based electronic messaging system.
Slighted vendors taking offense with how government awards lucrative contracts is a Washington tradition. However, two years ago, one would have been hard pressed to find enough cloud vendors to even fight over a contract. That is changing — and quickly. Moreover, the growing cadre of cloud providers are not coming exclusively from industry.
Read more on Federal Computer.