What is Google Apps?

Google Apps for BusinessGoogle Apps is available in several editions:  Free, Business, Education, Government and Non-profit.  The free version is limited to 10 user accounts. You can compare the editions here.

Google Apps for Business pricing for UK customers is listed here.  At the time of writing the cost was £33 per year per user account.

The core service comprises of several applications:

We have devoted a separate section to Gmail for Business because we consider it the "killer app".

In terms of the other services, Google Docs is a web based method of creating and sharing documents, spreadsheets and presentations.  It is probably the most challenging for Microsoft Office users to get used to because it means creating documents online using Google's own web based applications which, though similar to Microsoft Office, still involve a learning curve.

However, Google Cloud Connect for Microsoft Office has overcome these shortcomings.  It allows users to edit documents stored in the cloud directly from Word, Excel and PowerPoint and even retains the sharing and simultaneous editing functionality provided in Google Docs.

Google Sites allows customers to create secure web pages for intranets and team projects without coding.

Google Video provides video streaming.  This service is extremely popular with some businesses and some companies have subscribed to Google Apps for Business purely to gain this feature.

The Google Apps Marketplace consists of web based apps written by third parties that integrate with Google Apps.  There are many to choose from and they include CRM applications, financial applications, project management applications and email applications.