Google is to remove the beta logo from many of its key services including Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Google Talk and Google Video for business. Google wants to attract more business users to its applications and is reported to be in the process of creating a business suite of communications tools which will be available for download.

Although this might not seem like a big deal as most users will only see the removal of the beta label from the service logo, in order to attract more business users Google’s Applications need to be seen as fully developed, trusted and working products in order to be accepted by the business community.
We’ve come to appreciate that the beta tag just doesn’t fit for large enterprises that aren’t keen to run their business on software that sounds like it’s still in the trial phase,” wrote Rajen Sheth, senior product manager at Google Apps in a recent Blog post.

“No business is going to rely on a ‘beta’ service for something as important as e-mail,” says Matt Cain, lead e-mail analyst with market research firm Gartner. But, he adds, “just by lifting the beta label does not guarantee Google success”.

Only recently Google announced the forthcoming launch of Google Wave, a new communication based product which will allow multiple channels of communication to be accessed in one, real time online environment. Is Google’s current move to attract the business community part of a bigger strategy which involves Google Wave?

Cloud based communication is definitely the next big thing and Google Wave will offer a platform which will directly integrate into the cloud. It’s safe to say that there are some very exciting big changes ahead of us, Google will be taking on the likes of Microsoft with over 70% of the communication software marketplace, if they expect to compete Google will have to pull something pretty special out of the hat.

Article by Creative SEO UK

Technorati Tags: gmail, Google, google calendar, google docs, google mail, google talk, google video, google video business, google voice, Google wave, Microsoft

Google are directly challenging Microsoft business applications with the launch of a new service called Google Apps Sync, but is this part of a bigger plan?

In an ambitious move, Google have launched a plug-in application that will allow existing Outlook 2003 and 2007 users to sync Calendar, Contacts and Email online within Google’s Cloud Services. The new application is designed to help users migrate away from Microsoft Exchange while maintaining the Outlook interface and features.

Initially the application will only be available to Google Apps Premium users, but at only $50 a year for the service, it’s a small price to pay for such a valuable product.

Google have also launched a Mobile version of the Application for Android, Blackberry and Windows Mobile devices. This will allow business users to sync and view email, calendar and contacts directly from their mobile device while on the move.

Some very high profile companies have chosen to migrate from Exchange to Google cloud services, including biotech company Genentech and chip manufacturer Avago Technologies, both of which have been using a beta version as part of product testing.
Morgan Hotels Group recently moved all 1700 of its users from Exchange to Google. “We eliminated 16 servers that were at the end of their lifecycle and due to be replaced, so we saved money right away and there will be fewer to buy going forward,” Jason Harper, vice president of technology at Morgans Hotel Group, told InternetNews.com

Only a few days ago we discussed Google Wave and how it was going to radically change the way we communicate using Email, Blog and Chat. Google has also launched Google Voice, a VOIP software to challenge Skype. So is this part of a bigger Google plan? Are Google looking for a large share of the communications market place? All the components are in place, each individual element is being tested and Google Wave is the perfect platform to bring them all together.

Google Wave is an open source product which is in a prelaunch stage. Google recently released the product source code to a select number of key application builders in order to product test and develop new components. This is part of Google’s ingenious product development protocol, allowing real users to develop usable component applications. Google Wave is due to launch towards the end of the year, and speculation is already building. One thing we can say for sure, the next few months will be very, very interesting.

Author Creative SEO

Technorati Tags: Google, google applications, google apps, google exchange, google exchange services, google outlook, google outlook sync, Google wave

Well things are all falling into place, Google Open Social was launched over a year ago, this simple API allowed Google Users to sign up to websites as part of micro communities. Open Social has been developing well, but it seemed to have little purpose other than being a great concept. As always it seems Google had other plans and this is where Google Wave Steps in!

Google Wave is a new model for communication, completely rewriting the rule books and changing the very way we communicate using Email, Text, Chat, Blog and Twitter. It will allow all of these methods of communication to directly interact and communicate with each other generating thread based historic conversations.

Google says, “A wave is equal parts conversation and document. People can communicate and work together with richly formatted text, photos, videos, maps, and more. “

“A wave is shared. Any participant can reply anywhere in the message, edit the content and add participants at any point in the process. Then playback lets anyone rewind the wave to see who said what and when.”

“A wave is live. With live transmission as you type, participants on a wave can have faster conversations, see edits and interact with extensions in real-time.”

Wave is currently available only by invitation and has been opened up to the development community and is expected to be launched later this year. As with all exciting things created by Google, Wave is open source and features a developer’s community. Google has very kindly launched a video which details exactly “What Wave is” and “What it can do”. It’s pretty long but you have to watch it!

Written by Creative SEO

Technorati Tags: Google, google blogging, google chat, google email, google twitter, Google wave