14 DAY TRIAL // What better way to convince someone to start using your services than offering them a free laptop and them having them connect to you directly to find out what they might be missing?
This is what Google is reportedly doing right now with Microsoft’s customers, as the search giant has reportedly started sending out free laptops to Azure partners in order to entice them to give a try to Google Cloud.
It turns out that Google is trying to promote Google Cloud with pretty much any Microsoft Azure partner, including high-end resellers and enterprises who ware using the services. Furthermore, it turns out that the effort is not limited to just the United States, as some companies in Canada have also confirmed receiving Chromebooks.
Free Chromebook and Google Hangouts call
The packages include a free laptop along with testimonials from Google Cloud customers like Spotify and Evernote in an effort to show customers what they’re missing by not moving to Google’s services. And what’s more, Google is trying to poach Microsoft partners by asking them to set a call over Hangouts with a Google Cloud representative in order to discuss the offering and to get in touch directly.
“Transforming your business with Google Cloud is as easy as having a conversation. We’ll send you a Chromebook to start our discussion,” a label on the package reads.
It goes without saying that such an aggressive marketing campaign is not affordable, with each Chromebook costing several hundred dollars, but without a doubt, Google is thinking long term here. A deal with a large enterprise could be worth millions of dollars, so by signing a single customer could help Google cover the costs of the entire campaign if everything goes right.
It remains to be seen if Google’s poaching campaign is indeed successful, but it’ll also be interesting to see how Microsoft responses to its own customers being courted by one of its biggest rivals.