It’s a blast from the past. Google, the high technology advertising company, launched a billboard advertising campaign to promote Google Apps vs. Microsoft Office.

Commuters in New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Boston will see a different message promoting Google Apps each weekday throughout August. Called “Going Google”, the campaign targets IT managers stuck in traffic and informs on the benefits of switching to Google Apps.

The billboards are distinctively black text on white background with a simple message in a plain typewriter font.

The new campaign for Google Apps can be widely seen as a direct stab at Microsoft’s productivity and e-mail offerings, explaining the benefits of using cloud computing solutions. Microsoft is also planning to launch Office Web Applications, free of charge, together with the 2010 of its desktop productivity suite.

It’s a good thing we don’t have roadside billboards in Hawaii.