Google this week launched AppEngine, a platform that other companies can use to build Web applications and services using Google's infrastructure.
It's a step that's been a long time in coming for Google. But what does it mean for small businesses?
Most importantly, it's the tip of an important trend in which more than ever small businesses will be accessing the applications and services they need to run their business from the Internet "cloud." We talk a lot about that trend here, but Google AppEngine is the culmination of the run-up phase. We are now clearly in the age of Web apps.
If your small business *is* a Web business, chances are you'll soon be delivering your site or applications via a cloud infrastructure such as Google AppEngine. Today, you might work with a local developer or an online hosting service.
Tomorrow, you'll more likely be recombining services in the cloud to deliver your small business online.
Read more about Google AppEngine to get an idea of the future:
