The Secure Data Connector is just one of multiple enhancements to the Google App Engine that were announced this week. For SaaS (Software as a Service) applications like Google Apps to take hold in larger businesses, there must be tight integration between the apps and internal corporate systems. Now that the connector and other enhancements have been crated, it will make Google Apps a lot more tempting as a practical business tool, and could even be a viable alternative to traditional productivity suites. Vendors such as Oracle and others, have already indicated support and integration with the technology.

According to Google's latest comments on the connector, "Secure Data Connector aims to solve the firewall-traversal problem bridging Google's applications with our customer's network to give our end users the experience of using a desktop application, but with all the benefits the cloud brings."

Enterprise was always limited when Google Apps first appeared. The Secure Data Connector may be what allows Google Apps to make it to the big time and not just be a tool source for start-ups but now for the enterprise as well.