In bid to get more people to use Web-based applications, Google Inc. acquired DocVerse, a technology start-up that allows users to collaborate on Microsoft Office files online.

According to Wall Street Journal, Google has agreed to pay around $25 million for the San Francisco-based company. Google did not offer further financial details in its statement.

Through this new software, Google aims to get more Microsoft Office users to switch over to Google Docs - its spreadsheet and word-processing software -which is run online.

Google will not be accepting any new customers for DocVerse until it’s ready to “share what’s next,” the company said today in a blog posting.

Rochelle said the deal should help Google Docs integrate with Office and perhaps other desktop software.

We’ve always believed the Web is the best platform for creating and sharing information,” Jonathan Rochelle, a product manager for Google Apps, said in the blog posting.

“DocVerse is a small, nimble team of talented developers who share our vision.”

Google shares were trading up $9.62 or 1,73 percent to $564.21 in afternoon trading.

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