In an effort to get more companies on Google Apps, Google announced that it is extending a cost-covering program previously only available to large enterprises to medium-sized businesses.

Last fall, Google provided its productivity suite for free to companies locked into an Enterprise Agreement, covering these companies’ contract costs until the contracts expired. Those who weren’t under contract could get help in paying for their migrations from other solutions.

The program is not only being extended to smaller companies, but also until the end of the year.

“Companies between 250 and 3,000 that currently have an EA with another vendor can qualify for zero-cost Google Apps licenses for the term of their existing EA,” explains Google’s Neil Delaney. “And now, companies with 100 users (previously 250) to as many as 3,000 can qualify for a Deployment Voucher. This greatly expands the number of companies that can take advantage of the Deployment Voucher.”

“In addition to saving money and improving business productivity, the security benefits of Google Apps are especially valuable to mid-market businesses,” he adds. “For mid-market customers that sign up for this promotion, Google will pay for a Security Workshop, to the value of $750USD, through our trained Partners, to help them maximize the security and data protections Google Apps offers.”

A number of Google’s “Recommended for Google Apps for Work” partners are also announcing cost-saving offerings. More here.