There have been various unofficial kludges for storing files on Google's servers, but now the company is set to allow Google Docs users to upload any type of file providing its no bigger than 250MB.

Once stored in the cloud, the files can be downloaded when required (reducing the reliance on portable storage media) or shared with other users by taking advantage of Google Docs' shared folders feature.

1GB of storage will available to each user.

"Now accessing your work files doesn't require a connection to your internal office network. Nor do you need to email files to yourself, carry around a thumbdrive, or use a company network drive – you can access your files using Google Docs from any web-enabled computer," said Google's Anil Sabharwal.

The feature is being progressively rolled out to users over the next two weeks.

Google Apps Premier Edition extends the idea, allowing batch uploading and providing an API allowing developers to take advantage of Google Docs storage.

Examples include Memeo Connect for Google Apps (a Windows/Mac OS X tool for synchronising local documents with Google Apps), Syncplicity Business Edition (Windows synchronisation, backup and sharing service that now includes Google Docs integration), and Manymoon (online project management that now supports uploading to Google Docs).

Google Apps Premier Edition customers can also purchase extra storage space for $US3.50/GB/year.