Rivalry between Google and Microsoft Office Live took a leap forward when Google announced that Google Docs will allow users to edit word processing documents offline.

Users of Google Docs word processing application can use Google Gears to save then edit documents without being connected to the Internet or in their office.

Philip Tucker, Software engineer, Google Docs wrote “Cloud computing is great, but you need the cloud to make it work. On an air plane, on the shuttle commuting to work, or at home when my cable modem goes down, I want to work on my documents, and until now, that usually meant saving a copy and editing on the desktop. Now there is a better solution, with Google Docs offline, I can take my little piece of the cloud with me wherever I go. Once enabled, I have a local version of my document list and editors, along with my documents.”

Google Gears is an editing application interface introduced by Google more than a year ago to application developers to create Web applications that can run offline.

Office managers are increasingly looking to Google Docs as a viable alternative to Microsoft products for their document creation. By taking this step Google is set to make significant gains in the office suite applications field.