Apps, 365 or Something Else?

Posted: 20 10 10 by David Stump

OK, I’m a big fan of cloud based computing – I’m not alone but at the same time it’s not unanimous…

Within our company we utilise many ways of ‘working’, our corporate IT strategy allows for users to work locally or remotely – or a combination of the two!

Google Apps vs Office 365

Google is possibly one of the better known service providers; its Gmail platform is used by many private users and tagged onto this is Google Docs, Contacts and Calendar.

The standard Google Account gives you these benefits but it’s not so easy to share data… Google Apps Standard or Pro gives you the ability to ‘share’ documents, contacts and calendars with team members or groups.

Now Microsoft is fully in the ring with Office 365.

Office 365 is now in beta; I tried to get a beta account, but demand was extremely high and beta places were taken up in very quick time.

As I couldn’t get an Office 365 Beta account I can only really say what ‘they’ say it does and has.

Office 365 will allow user’s access to MS Office Professional Plus, MS Exchange Online, MS SharePoint Online and Lync Online.

So what does it offer? Well on first glance it seems they are offering what we have on our desktop and server… that is to say that those using MS Exchange could migrate to Exchange Online and all those users with MS Office on their desktop can simply start using the online service.

As I say I can’t see exactly how it works but I can imagine that the idea of upgrading a large user base to a new version of MS Office would be much more cost effective if you simply paid for Office 365 – it would allow you to grow or contract teams quickly and cost effectively and give people what they are expecting to see and used to using… the Microsoft Experience!

Time for Google Apps to Step Up?

In the office we use Office 2010, at home I use Google Apps Professional. I have to be honest and say that if Office 365 works as Microsoft say it will then I would be tempted to move… for me Google Apps would need to become much slicker.

Another Option?

The other option, for businesses, is to deploy applications via a remote connection. In truth this will be the preferred option for many businesses. In this scenario there is much more control over data – additionally all applications (including operational software and accounting software) can be deployed.

‘Hosted Desktops’ are a real alternative for businesses both large and small. Those with large desperate workforces can ensure that their staff have access to applications and data they need in a secure environment and smaller companies can benefit from having the tools they need now and know it’s all backed up and safe.

Anyway, Google Apps, Office 365 or a Hosted Desktop - always make sure you start with the question; 'Why are we doing this' and most importantly make sure it meets all you or the business needs.