Google Cloud wants to be “a great Windows Platform” with new program

That’s right. Take it however you like, but Google is looking to play nice with Windows once again.

Similar to Microsoft’s recent fortunes in the connected operating systems game, Google is playing from behind when it comes to the cloud. Google’s distant third place in cloud computing is seen by some as an area of weakness for the software company and it seems it’s looking to integrate Windows support to help bolster its position.

According to a report from Geekwire, Google recently unveiled its plan to become a “great Windows platform.” At the Google Cloud Next conference in San Francisco, the company announced a new partner program that’s intended to help Windows-based companies migrate to Google’s cloud offering.

Google’s vice president of cloud platforms, Brian Stevens rang in the new announcement by saying “Our goal isn’t just to be an OK Windows platform. We want to be a great Windows platform.”

Google’s efforts comprise of several partnerships with top Windows specialists and Google Cloud Platform experts in an effort to create a seamless migration process.

“The company also previously announced pre-configured images for Microsoft SQL Server Enterprise and Windows Server Core on Google Compute Engine. Stevens today announced the general availability of SQL Server Enterprise, plus the beta of .NET for Google App Engine and Container Engine.”

Fortunately, in the shuffle, Microsoft still retains licensing revenue as companies shift from one cloud to the next.

The will be more news coming out of the Google Cloud Next conference, but perhaps non-as important as its efforts to not only prop its cloud platform up with Windows support but once again undercut its rival in another contentious field.