Google has released new tools for firms wanting to roll out communications services to small groups of staff.

Google Apps for Your Domain, currently in beta, includes voice over IP (VoIP) calling, calendaring, web design, email, and instant messaging services. The tools can be deployed without troublesome hardware installation and software rollouts, said Google.

The collection of tools is an update to Gmail for Your Domain, which was launched earlier this year and offers multiple Gmail email accounts on one domain. Now an administrator can provide staff with calendar, communications and web design tools with one simple interface, to reflect their individual requirements, and this can be tailored to each company’s own branding, said Google.

Google added that the tools may suit non-profit organisations, small businesses, home users, and even large enterprises. Though larger companies may be reluctant to use the system, some observers suggested the release is a challenge to Microsoft’s dominance in productivity tools with Exchange and Office.

Some rivals were less complimentary, however. Intermedia.NET, a provider of hosted Microsoft Exchange services, issued a spoof of Google press release to highlight perceived shortcomings, stating that with “24x0 support, no wireless access and scanning of company email and documents, Google has bucked the trend of what companies can expect from a business email provider.”

However, Google said that a premium version – requiring payment – will be available for enterprise users later this year.