Step 6: Read the wiki and presentation rumors OK, so there are some missing elements in Google’s online apps. In particular, where’s the PowerPoint alternative? In addition, enterprise -based Microsoft users are telling good tales about Sharepoint, Microsoft’s server-based collaboration product. Don’t fear -- rampant rumors say Google alternatives to both these apps -- in the form of online presentation and wiki applications -- are about to enter the Google domain in the coming weeks and months.
Step 7: Check out the niche apps The Google apps universe is infinitely extendable. Already there are a variety of applications live today on Google.com and in beta form in Google Labs that are worth adding to your Google desktop. I like Google Notebook for clipping and storing content. Blogger is a popular—and free—blogging tool. Google Groups is a great group communication tool. Google Talk offers instant messaging and voice over IP. And on and on.
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| The Google Notebook features a pop-up window for clipping web content on the fly (click to enlarge) |
Step 8: Consider Google Apps Free and Premier Editions So let’s examine this “free” issue—can all this functionality really be free? Yes and no. You can use all the apps mentioned as individual services -- and in all cases they are free. In some cases, such as Gmail, Google runs text-based ads in the margins of the apps. It’s not as bad as it sounds.
You might also want to consider paying for Google Apps Premier Edition. The cost: $50 per user per year. This can certainly add up if you have a lot of users, but for more IT-savvy small businesses, the extras might be worth it: more online storage; no email ads; built-in mobile access; admin control panel; and APIs to integrate with an existing IT structure. IT consulting giant CapGemini just this week announced a deal with Google to integrate Google Apps Premier Edition onto enterprise desktops. That might not be the path for your small biz, but it shows that Google Apps are no joke.
Step 9: Make the Move—and don’t look back This is my own private tip. You can’t live in two worlds. If you go the Google route, set yourself up online and don’t look back. You'll feel compelled to open Word or Notepad or Excel occasionally and save files to My Documents on your desktop. Don't do it. It will just make you schizophrenic. If you need occasional offline access, keep your eyes on Google Gears, a neat tech parlor trick that Google has introduced to allow some of its applications—and eventually all of them, it’s safe to presume—to work offline as well.
Step 10: Let us know what you think The best advice comes from friends and colleagues. So have you played around with Google apps? What do you think? Which ones work for you—and which ones do not? Tell us your story in the comments area.
