Dell-Salesforce Deal Spreads Cloud Computing

REDMOND, Wash. (TheStreet) -- Microsoft's(MSFT Quote) once-cozy partner, Dell(DELL Quote), is testing the business services waters with a new swimming partner, Web-based software maker Salesforce.com.

In October, Dell quietly announced a new sales agreement with San Fransisco-based applications firm Salesforce.com. Under the agreement, new Dell business customers will get six months of free access to Salesforce's contact manager, which normally costs $5 per month. For an additional $40 a month, Dell will help small businesses integrate Salesforce products into their software systems.

"We are offering one price and one throat to choke," says Marc Stein, Dell's director of cloud strategy.

Salesforce is not acting alone. It's partnering with search giant Google(GOOG Quote), Microsoft's archrival. The two offer several combined products, including Google Apps support for documents, contact and calendar information. Salesforce's developer language, Force.com, competes with Microsoft's .Net code.

Dell's deal with Salesforce is really a deal with Google, and Microsoft is nowhere to be found.

I couldn't wait to get a closer look at Dell's strategy with this Salesforce-Google thing, so I signed up for a trial account.

What do you get: Companies that use Salesforce on their Dell equipment get affordable tools for managing contacts and sales support tools to small businesses.

The demo package takes less than a dozen clicks to set up and requires no credit card. Just go to Dell's Web site and sign up. Anyone can sign up for a 14-day trial. I got a nice confirmation e-mail and a welcoming phone call from a Salesforce rep.