SmallBizResource Blog -- SmallBizResource

To Google or Not to Google?

Posted by Naomi Grossman Friday, Aug 24, 2007, 11:39 AM ET

Much is being made of a recently released report by the Burton Group on the viability of Google's web apps for enterprise use.

"Deploying Google Apps could be a "career-limiting move for enterprise architects" if they expect too much from the software-as-a-service collaboration suite and its "rudimentary" feature set," writes Jon Brodkin of Network World about the report.

Analyst Guy Creese warns IT organizations to do their homework, according to the Burton Group. "Don't be seduced by Google's low price point," says Creese in the release. "The product's rudimentary feature set combined with Google's unique company culture could spell disaster if unwisely deployed."

Okay, we get it. Big companies should think twice before heeding to Google's siren call of, "Use me, I'm free" but small businesses should not miss the fine print here.

As Ars Technica writes:

"According to a copy of the report seen by Ars Technica, Google's online apps aren't totally useless — they can be good options for startups and small businesses that have basic office and collaboration needs. Burton even praises Google Apps for being easy to use, requiring minimal training, and for not requiring software installation, power-user licenses, and not leaving documents scattered all over people's hard drives."

Sounds like a back handed compliment to me.

Small business owners, it might be worth giving in to the Google temptress. Just this once….

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