Consumerization will be Google’s primary focus in 2013. This is what Amit Singh, search engine giant’s VP of Enterprise envisions for the year to come. Apart from this, the executive sees that they are finally penetrating the enterprise solutions and that the organization will give Microsoft a fair challenge soon.

“Our goal is to get to the 90 percent of users who don’t need to have the most advanced features of Office,” said Singh. ”We know the gaps between our features and theirs. We’re improving them week by week. We’re going to get to the 90 percent.”

The difference according to Singh lies with their approach. Microsoft is stuck developing applications and programs around desktop. Google on the hand will offer cloud-based solutions that scale better and comes with beefed up security system.

Google’s Quick Office, which they acquired in June, enables users to get the job done anytime and anywhere. It maches Microsoft suite functionalities point per point. However, Google’s ensemble promotes collaboration between colleagues real-time, and whether one is physically in the office while others are working from home or remotely.

“The way you look at a successful business is its ecosystem,” said Singh. “For us at Google, it’s all about the ecosystem and developers.”

Google VS Microsoft Matchups

Round 1. Cloud Sync Storage

The cloud sync storage face-off between Google and Microsoft is still progressing as of this writing. Last April, Google finally unveiled their cloud storage service that combined functionalities of DropBox and Google Docs. But, in no time, Microsoft answered with an excellent update on SkyDrive.

When it comes to interface, both have simple and flexible UIs that deliver needed information without being overly busy. But on a personal taste, I would prefer SkyDrive’s vibrant look.

For storage capacity and price, SkyDrive offers 7GB gratuitous while Google Drive only extends 5GB. In another light, Google outruns Microsoft with the total upgradable space. The former parades up to 16 terabytes, while the latter only reaches maximum of 100GB. In this lifetime, 100GB is enough space for most individuals. For the cheaper price of SkyDrive and generous free storage, SkyDrive wins this feature again for me.

However, both pale in comparison to SugarSync and DropBox when it comes to widespread mobile support.

Cloud’s going to be the key driver to create the penultimate connected world. This is why the battle between Google Drive, SkyDrive and many others will continue to heat up in the coming years. Predictions noted that cloud storage subscriptions would reach 100 million in 2013. It will boil down to which company will do their homework better.

Round 2. Mobile platform operating system

This one’s a giveaway. Obviously Android has wider margin in terms of market shares globally. In fact, when it comes to mobile operating system, Android is competing head-to-head with iOS. But this does not entirely mean that Windows Phones (Windows 8 OS) is out of the picture. High-end phone manufacturers such as Samsung and HTC showcase WP8. Microsoft’s mobile platform has a huge potential, but Google’s edge thanks to Android makes it a winner in this round.

Round 3. Search

Moving on with search engine taste test, Microsoft’s Bing and Google Search stand on an equal footing for me. Google Search’s “instant search” saves more time as it displays potential keywords. It also provides more relevant information and better results quality. On the other hand, Bing’ social integration is stronger thanks to its contract with Facebook and Twitter. There is also a certain visual appeal that users get attracted to for results pages of Bing. But the search engine preference all comes down to what serves you better in terms of your personal or professional needs.

For 2013, it is essential for Microsoft to gradually abandon traditional partners and focus in establishing their brand in the booming mobile industry. Google on the other hand, has to somehow find a way to unify their influence on the very open system of Android. Regrouping is the best way to describe what both giants should accomplish as they rally towards another year.