fool’s paradise

Google Apps, the suite of online office applications from the Mountain View giant, has been available in various forms for a number of years. Only recently, however, have they started marketing the product to businesses. As part of this marketing effort, Google representatives toured several major cities, inviting users of the software to visit and discuss its uses. I attended one of these events, and this is my review of the offerings.

The Google Apps suite consists of several applications, including Gmail (email service), Google Talk (chat and messaging), Google Calendar (scheduling system), Google Docs (spreadsheets, documents, presentations), and Google Sites (web portal with custom gadgets). Most of these applications offer similar features to those we’ve come to expect from desktop software of the same genre. They also interoperate quite well, are available at low or no direct cost, and support importing and exporting of various file types.

The services are hosted on Google’s servers, and are primarily web-based, with some exceptions - POP and SMTP access to mail, specialized mobile device versions, a desktop chat client, and some management utilities. Although Google does not provide details of their hardware platform or internal security measures, they are widely considered to have one of the most reliable platforms in the technology services industry, with no public history of security failures.

From a technology and usability standpoint, Google Apps is an excellent choice of platforms for community and collaboration software suites. The software is updated and improved frequently, the help system is thorough and accurate, and the technology is powerful and easy to use.

There are important limitations to consider as well. None of the programs in the Google Apps suite are available for hosting elsewhere - all operations are performed on Google’s servers. That means access to your files and applications is subject to the whim of your internet connection. Also, any sensitive information is not only being stored on another company’s servers, but can potentially be accessed via unsecure protocols. Finally, Google doesn’t open its doors to outside certification or accreditation authorities. If your system has to go through DoD Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Process (DIACAP) or some other information assurance process, Google Apps is probably not your answer.

Overall, Google Apps is a solid offering with strong capabilities in today’s business world. Its platform independence, ease of use, low cost, and reliability make it a competitive product suite worthy of consideration by any entity making a platform decision.

I just figured out how to spell bureaucracy.

I realized it’s based on “bureau”, like “bureau of public affairs”. It’s always been impossible for me to spell based on the sound.

Beaurocracy? Thats how it sounds, like “beautiful”.

But now I know.

Bureaucracy is not beautiful.