I’m amazed that so many people don’t know about Gmail for Business. Or at least, the number of people who believe that using it requires them to have [yourname]@gmail.com as their email address.
The thing is, Google Apps for Business (the enterprise version of Gmail and Google’s other products) has been around for almost as long as Gmail itself.
And it has always handled any type of email address, such as [yourname]@[yourbusiness.com].
What makes Gmail for Business a ‘modern’ system?
In the late 90s, Microsoft Exchange (Server) and Outlook became the default business email system. That was when data resided on company servers and was typically accessed by staff using software on their work computer.
But over the last few years, business systems have been moving online. Data and applications are now being stored in the ‘cloud’, and accessed via multiple devices such as computers, mobile phones, and tablets.
It’s all part of the so-called post-PC era - which Gmail, along with the rest of the Google Apps suite, was built for.
It just works. Whether you’re using your Dell notebook, your Android phone or your iPad.
Microsoft’s products? Not so much.
And, as this Google Trends chart of 21 February 2012 indicates, the popularity of Google Apps is increasing.
Google Apps searches have been steadily increasing since the product launched in 2006. Meanwhile, searches for Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Exchange have both been steadily declining.
What’s so remarkable about Google Apps for Business?
My clients are initially attracted by the email system – Gmail for Business. I’ve previously explained why.
But then the more they use Google Apps, the more they grow to love other aspects, such as:
- the ability to share calendars within (and even outside) their organisation
- the way staff can collaborate on documents, spreadsheets and presentations without relying on email
- the thousands of other business applications that seamlessly integrate with Google Apps.
In a cloud-based, always-connected world, Gmail for Business is a natural fit.
And if you need more evidence, why not ask one of the four million businesses already using it?