Rackspace Takes 'Fanatical Support' to Google Apps for Work

Rackspace (RAX) is extending its “Fanatical Support,” as well as a handful of migration, deployment and account management services, to Google Apps for Work. With the new services, Rackspace will be offering its key differentiator in cloud to the Google Apps customer base.

Seeing as Rackspace and Google (GOOG) compete in the infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) space, it may seem like an odd announcement, but Rackspace joined the Google for Work Partner Program as a Premier SMB reseller. It’s through that partnership that the company will roll out Fanatical Support and other management services for Google Apps for Work.

“Rackspace strives each day to provide a world-class service experience on top of best-in-class technologies, and our new managed service offering of Google Apps for Work is a prime example,” said Taylor Rhodes, president and CEO of Rackspace, in a prepared statement. “Companies want and need a trustworthy provider to offer technical expertise and support to help them succeed with their cloud applications. This partnership is an exciting step forward in advancing the future of cloud-based office productivity and collaboration.”

Rackspace will be offering a handful of services and support to SMBs, including:

“Rackspace’s focus on making SMB businesses successful through its managed cloud services and Fanatical Support team is an advantage for smaller customers who many times require this type of assistance to take advantage of the cloud productivity market,” said Chris Chute, research vice president for the Global SMB Cloud and Mobility Practice at IDC, in a prepared statement.

Currently, the Rackspace services for Google Apps for Work are only available in the United States via an early access program. Rackspace plans to release the services for general availability and roll them out internationally in 2015.