google to dip toe into performance management?

i just read with interest that the google folks are/have developed a performance management algorithm. at first i thought this was gunna be some sort of late april fools joke but it seems fair dinkum. the australian led with the story today - google develops algorithm... and its well worth a read.

so does this mean that google will potentially tack this on as another of their ever expanded free service offerings? if so will it cause some pain in the performance management vendor space? whilst there are plenty of established players with most impressive applications, google does have a habit of developing neat functionality that can be delivered at a low or no cost basis. or will they keep it to themselves and use it as a competitive edge?

and by the way i need to tip my hat for this lead from one of the many folks i follow on twitter - KarenJenkin of SixFigures.com.au fame