Mavenlink, ViWo Partner on Google Apps Domain Pros Venture

Google Apps dealers Mavenlink and ViWo have teamed up to launch a joint venture that will help their own apps reseller efforts, as well as provide a platform for ISVs to create reseller opportunities.

The new Apps Domain Pros business combines elements of both Mavenlink’s and ViWo’s Google Apps businesses. Mavenlink brings its online work platform that is sold in the Google Apps Marketplace to the new venture, whereas ViWo brings its experience as a cloud solutions provider and Google Apps reseller. Together, the companies are trying to create a more collaborative environment for Google Apps resellers and ISVs.

Through Apps Domain Pros, the companies will work together to drive traffic to the new website, manage Google Apps licenses on behalf of Apps Domain Pros, provide ongoing support to their Google Apps customers and layer on value-added services on top of the core license management services they are now offering.

According to Sean Crafts, Mavenlink’s chief customer office, Mavenlink has seen a growing trend in customers adopting Google Apps, but for ISVs, it’s a tricky business to get into and serve appropriately.

“Through conversations, we have learned that many Google Apps ISVs are in the same boat that Mavenlink was in before Apps Domain Pros,” Crafts told Talkin’ Cloud. “Google Apps ISVs by necessity need to focus on developing and supporting their core product. Supporting the Google Apps specific needs of customers that come through the Google Apps Marketplace is not a core competency and often a real challenge for the ISVs. Apps Domain Pros gives them a way to provide outstanding Google Apps specific support and to do so in a way that provides an opportunity to drive resell-related revenue in the process.”

For customers, Mavenlink and ViWo are aiming to compete on price as well as value. They will be providing extended support to Google Apps customers of both companies while also offering a 10 percent savings on licensing and renewals. According to Mavenlink, it’s an opportunity for customers to take advantage of cloud-based services — and save some money.

For resellers that end up working with Apps Domain Pros, this represents a new Google Apps-based revenue stream in a revenue share model. Resellers receive 20 percent of Google Apps for Business licensing done through Apps Domain Pros.