Google.com claims that over three million businesses run on its cloud computing business, Google Apps (running in the so-called Google cloud,) and thousands of businesses sign up every day. Is Google Apps for Business the real deal?
Google Apps for Business is one of two types of Google Apps on offer – the other one is Google Apps for Education, available to educational institutions for free.
Google Apps for business uses one price plan, which is $50/year, allowing collaboration of unlimited number of users for the same user account.
Compared to the Standard version, for the $50/year for businesses, you will get plenty of web-based office tools, such as:
- Messaging Apps: Gmail for business: 25 GB storage, less spam; Google Calendar (also available in the Standard version, with standard Gmail features.)
- Collaboration Apps: Google Docs, Google Groups, and Google Sites (also available in the Standard version.)
- Enhanced security – forced SSL, custom password strength requirements, etc.
- 99.9% uptime guarantee.
- 24/7 support
Please watch this tutorial video to learn more:
Why Google cloud?
Google has long developing apps in its labs – interconnecting each app with the others create a cloud solutions for both individual and business users. Google claims that it has developing its cloud computing capabilities for 10 years – long before even the term “cloud computing” “cloud application” or “cloud business” were even coined.
Click here to learn more about the advantages of Google’s cloud.
Should I use Standard or Business version?
Before you decide, please watch this small business case study:
Naturally, if you own a business, you might want to use Google Apps for Business. The enhanced security, 99.9% uptime guarantee and 24/7 support should allow your business to operates well in the cloud. However, if you are a one-person business or a freelancer, you probably want to try the Standard version first. It’s free and granting you full access to the basic features of the cloud business service.
You can upgrade to the paid service anytime your business demand you to do so – this is the power of cloud computing; your cloud grow as your business grow.
If you are looking for general web-based office tools that are not really that life-hacking but allowing your and your team to collaborate while lowering your IT cost, Google Apps for Business is the one you should consider.
