It was resellers that made Microsoft great and so, following in those well-trod footsteps, Google said that it's recruiting resellers to push its Google Apps to businesses of all sizes everywhere in the world, taking Microsoft on where it lives.

So far Google's collected 50 "pilot partners."

The authorized resellers are supposed to be able to sell, customize and support Google Apps Premier Edition, creating new revenue opportunities for themselves and easier access to Google's cloud services. And they'd get a 20% discount off the $50-a-user-a-year price.

The software includes Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Google Sites, Google Talk and Google Video for business.

To push more users into paying for the Premier Edition - and diversify its revenue stream - from here on out Google will limit the use of its freebie version of the software to 50 people per company. Current users, schools and non-profits will be exempt.

Google of course is famous for leaving its software in interminable beta but its enterprise president Dave Girouard claims the widgetry "has reached a level of maturity where it is useful and valuable for almost any business."

It's also recommending the software as an "easy introduction" to cloud computing.

Google says it will give resellers training, support and tools for sales and marketing as well as access to tools for integrating Google Apps into their customers' business operations.

Resellers will bill customers directly and can bundle their own services and support with Google Apps.

With Google's SaaS solution, users are supposed to be able to save 75% of the cost of running productivity software on their premises.

The reseller program includes a portal with business and technical information and online discussion groups; tools for setting up business customers, provisioning end users, management and reporting; and REST-based integration APIs for directory synchronization, migration, reporting and single sign-on.

Google said potential resellers will be evaluated based on relevant experience and credit worthiness.

It's looking to recruit companies with a strong SaaS orientation and a business model built around providing value-added services and solutions. Sales are due to kick off by the end of March.

The company already claims a million businesses and 10 million users use Google Apps, predominantly the freebie stuff.

Click here to learn more about the program.