Something happened in the late summer of 1997 that, at least at first glance, seemed like nothing out of the ordinary. Little did people know, however, that this particular September marked the month when the world changed in a big way.

On Sept. 14, Internet domain google.com was registered. About one year later, Google went live.

It started out as nothing more than a search engine – and a simple and fast one at that, delivering swift returns to whatever someone wished to search.

Even so, the company’s mission was never to create just one great search engine. According to google.com, Google aspires ‘to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.’ Soon after its debut, Google started chipping away at such a task.

Google is quickly approaching its 10-year anniversary and has already staked its claim in a vast number of Web-based services and downloadable software. People can check e-mail, post blogs, share calendars, request driving directions, even peruse satellite imagery of literally the entire Earth – all while staying within the confines of the Google fold.

The cost: free.

And despite its unique, ad-based business model, the company fascinates the business world with its $400 stock prices, four times greater than its initial asking price.

‘Google was once driven mostly by search technology,’ said Anthony Rotolo, instructional technology manager in the Syracuse University School of Information Studies, ‘but their brand name recognition and a reputation for innovation has helped turn them into a major player with online applications.’

Paul Gandel, vice president of Information Technology and Services at SU, agreed it is Google’s brand image and reputation, but also its vision and execution, that are largely responsible for the company’s successes.

Additionally, Google’s signature combination of useful, robust services, along with providing them free of charge, has forced mega-companies like Microsoft to reassert their business strategies, Rotolo said.

‘The day when users start deciding not to purchase big-ticket software like Microsoft Office in favor of using Google’s free online document applications is not hard to imagine,’ he said. ‘This could have a major impact on the software industry as a whole, as well as companies like Microsoft who aren’t so good at the ‘free and useful’ game.’

Gandel, however, said he doesn’t foresee such a rosy future for Google if the company declines to adapt its current services to better fit predicted business models.

‘In the long run, we’re going see more information being shared, but not through one site like Google,’ Gandel said. ‘We’ll see organizations and individuals more involved in sharing information, with multiple portals for gathering information. Google will have to provide people with the kinds of tools that will enable that kind of sharing.’

Published on April 3, 2007 at 12:00 pm