Google is giving customers of Google Apps, its cloud-based productivity suite for businesses, the opportunity to internally distribute their enterprise apps for Android on the Google Play Store.

The introduction of the Google Play Private Channel, essentially a private store for one companys apps, puts business apps in the hands of employees – those with an email address on the companys domain, at least – in the same way they would download consumer apps.

According to David Akka, UK managing director of enterprise app company Magic Software, this shows how enterprise is becomingly increasing important for smartphone companies, as businesses increasingly stop relying on BlackBerry devices and move towards a more BYOD approach.

“The announcement from Google is further proof that enterprise is the new battleground for the major players in the smartphone market,” Akka said. “Although security on the Android platform remains a concern due to the heavily fragmented ecosystem, the decision to open a private app store for enterprise applications could help build market share by winning over the hearts and minds of the corporate market.”