Benioff Doesn't Deny Google Partnership Rumor

Salesforce.com chairman and CEO Marc Benioff yesterday did not deny rumors that his company may be planning a partnership with Google. Let the Google Apps CRM rumors begin.This potential partnership would obviously target Microsoft. It would certainly give Google some ammunition with which to fight its way into the enterprise market. A combined Salesforce solution that offers Google's messaging could be very appealing.

Mike Masnick at Techdirt argues that Google stands to benefit more from this possible partnership more than Salesforce. I don't know if I buy that. I think Salesforce could stand to get as much out of the partnership with Google.

Google right now has the best brand and the biggest reach on planet earth. I fail to see how Salesforce wouldn't benefit from being associated with Google. And it could open up new markets for Salesforce, including prosumers.

By striking a deal now, Salesforce can chose to define how it works with Google, rather than wait for Google Apps to take off and then try to partner with it. Or possibly have to fight Google if it develops a CRM product.

Of course, this all assumes that Salesforce and Google will actually pull the trigger and partner. What do you think? Will Salesforce actually partner with Google? And if so, will either company get anything out of it?