Monday, August 28 2006 11:40 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New York: Moving beyond search technology, Google plans to expand its services for business users providing them with a special software package, which will include e-mail, calendar, chat programmes and a special website development tool for companies.

The move is a 'starting point' for Google in catering to business users, its Vice President and General Manager Dave Girouard was quoted by 'The New York Times' as saying.

Initially, the package will be free, but later this year Google plans to begin selling a version that includes additional features as well as technical support.

While the e-mail programme, Gmail, is currently supported by online advertising, the other three programmes contain no advertising, the report said.

According to Girouard, the immediate goal in offering the free services is to increase the number of people and companies using its technology.

Girouard said he expected the pay service to appeal to larger organizations.

The New York Times says he would not discuss any plans for pricing.

"Google's software offerings beyond search are focussed on communications and enabling workers to collaborate, but the company is testing spreadsheet software and a word-processing programme called Writely that will soon be offered over the Web," the paper says.