We have been using Google Apps for a little while now and overall we have found it a great system, but then its built on such good foundations but it would be interesting to see where its going to go both in terms of products and how the service develops.
But lets start with why its so great, and its simply 2 things proven reliability from Google and the fact its free. In reality everything Google has done with Google Apps can and is replicated sure it has a nice interface but it all can be replicated the reason Google Apps is great is because we don’t have to. One of the biggest bug bears of running a web site is the smtp server that normally goes with the territory and dealing with virus spam etc, now I’m not saying that Google removes all of the problems but its nice to sit back and no you don’t have to do much.
So what’s the future for Google Apps program wise?
Putting a seers hat on for a moment the obvious partner would be Googles just released (see Googles Blog Entry) Google docs which is the combined spreadsheet and Google Writely. It already has much of the collaboration tools needed to add to domain apps. While not as mature a product as Open office or Microsoft office it would still provide a great way to collaborate on important documents without the need to set-up a central server. This is one example where centralisation bawsed on Google apps would be great for web site companies Google sitemaps and analytics programs which currently require Google accounts to be accessed would benefit to being brought under the hosted apps banner, few users of these programs won’t already have existing domains and so currently need 2 accounts if they use both hosted services and these. For software companies the need for versioning and software control that is centralised is always a problem while not there yet the new google hosted code could be a start (site|blog entry)
But its not just on Google site that Google apps may have a part to play, Googles authentication API allows users to authenticate against Googles user base if this was to be expanded to Hosted accounts then a whole range of opportunities arise, logins to website administration through to authenticating work flow can be developed making the possibility of a single sign on a real prospect for a business.
Before getting to carried away there is the obvious problems of privacy and security as the company is handing all its data passwords etc to a large monolithic company its odd how because its Google people seem less worried.
So what’s next for Google apps as a service if Google wishes to expand this service how does it make it profitable will advertising revenue be enough? Or is it going to charge for it services and if so how much and would companies like ours be willing to pay?
Tim N
Other Articles on the Venture Skills Network about Google Apps for your domain
Google Apps for your Domain Part 1 - Email
Google Apps for your Domain Part 2 - Calender
Like what you see try these articles on the Venture Skills Network
Information mining the social way - Using del.icio.us to mine your competitors
Google Custom Search Engine - Using Ajax Search with the new CSE
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October 20, 2006 at 12:30 pm
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