Google Apps for Business users can now access Google+ using their Google account, opening up some interesting opportunities for integrated collaboration.

Google Apps users will have access to the same set of features that are available to every Google+ user, and more. In addition to sharing publicly or with your circles, you’ll also have the option to share with everyone in your organisation, even if you haven’t added all of those people to a circle.

Circles are groups of contacts, and Google+ allows you to have as many as you want, for example you could set up a circle for team members to discuss a project internally, or you could segment all your clients into relevant circles for marketing purposes. It’s easy to do, and once set up you can use circles to communicate with different groups by posting an update or start a Hangout to enable multi person video chat. Starting a hangout also offers a sneak preview of Hangouts with Extras, which will include screen-sharing and collaborative Google Docs editing.

We’ve started using it in anger today, so watch this space for updates.