Google Tries to Entice Microsoft Office Shops with Free Apps for Work

By Barb Darrow
October 19, 2015

Summary Notes of Article:

• Google is trying to make it very easy for businesses to consider using Google Apps for Works. They are allowing their clients with enterprise agreements to use their business tools for free for the remaining term of the contract.

• The applications included in Google Apps for Work are similar to the ones from Microsoft Office. There are of course some innovative features, like voice typing.

• Over time, Google has proven to be the choice for startups and smaller businesses, while Microsoft has been preferred by enterprises.

• Google is offering a 70% off cost saving deal compared to other provider’s enterprise agreements. These contracts are usually to buy software for mass users, which theoretically bring volume discounts, but also end up being excessively complex. Google can benefit and become truly interesting for companies if they can simplify this process.

• According to Alan Lepofsky, VP and principal analyst for Constellation Research, there are cultural, financial, political and technical implications when you change vendors. With this offering, Google is addressing technical and financial concerns.

• Google says they have over 600 companies with over 10,000 employees using their Apps for Work.

• Before, Google Apps was the preferred choice for cloud-based collaboration. Now, Microsoft has entered this market with Office 365, and that’s why Google had to make this move to stay in the game.

• Even if Google’s offering is much cheaper, we’ll have to see how many companies are drawn to it enough to switch providers.

Link to Summary Notes and Full Article: http://www.cloudtrending.net/article/google-tries-to-entice-microsoft-office-shops-with-free-apps-for-work-2/

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Jade Witte
Cloud & Network Consultant
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