Google Apps, an initiative of Google’s collaboration tool to counter the domination of MS Office was released 3 years back and was quite successful in signing up more than a million users. Every day at an average more than 3000 businesses are registering for Google Apps.
IBEE as a Google Apps Reseller in India is a strong advocate of SaaS (Software as a Service Model) see an excellent opportunity to partner with the market leader like Google to provide Google Apps solutions.
Microsoft is starting a program to leverage with hosting solutions providers in india as Host Spark, Though the program name is not confirmed yet due to IP rights issues but Microsoft wants this to run Similar to their BizSpark Program. Microsoft want to release this program in India first. Might need to see how this program (Host Spark) will be received by the Hosting providers in India.
Definetly this is a step Microsoft is taking to counter the increasing popularity of Google Apps in India, Basic reason to launch in India is, we can provide better support at less expense.