Tall Mike

Google launched their Google Apps premier today after a long period of rumored preparation. Here is a heads-on comparison.

The following is the sneak preview of compasison.

Microsoft Office Live Essentials:

• domain name for use with email and website
• website creation wizard
• 2 GB email storage (per user)
• 1 GB workspace storage
• 50 email accounts (name@company.com)
• business contact manager and workspaces for document collaboration (10 users)
• website add-ins sold as modules (for advertising and other purposes)
• $19.95 per month ($239.40 per year, assuming 5 active workspace users)

Microsoft’s offering may be for you if:

• You don’t already have a website for your business and want to get something for the world to see that’s quick and easy.
• You and your co-workers are all using computers running some version of Windows.
• You and your co-workers already own some version of Microsoft Office and are prepared to continue using Outlook, Word and Excel as the hub of your business communications and processes.
• Your business is based on customers…attracting them, interacting with them, and keeping them.
• You won’t always have access to the internet.

Google Apps Premier:

• domain name for use with email and website
• website creation wizard (Page Creator)
• 10 GB email storage (per user)
• no limit on document storage
• unlimited accounts (since pricing is per user, you get what you pay for)
• document collaboration through Google Docs & Spreadsheets
• leverage Google API for integration with other applications
• $50 per user, per year ($250 per year, assuming 5 active users)

Google’s offering may be for you if:

• You are more interested in having reliable tools for email and collaboration, than you are in having a new point-and-click website.
• You and your co-workers are using a mix of different platforms, including Mac OS X.
• You and your co-workers are comfortable using web-based tools for email, word processing or spreadsheets.
• Your business is not entirely based on attracting and cultivating customers. Maybe you have a handful of accounts, but don’t need to track a lot of customer interactions. Maybe you’re a nonprofit organization, school or faith-based organization. Maybe you own a blog network. The possibilities are endless, and you don’t want to be confined to a standard business model.

Heading in the right direction … Google Maps shows a new way to get from one side of Sussex Street to the other. The marker with the triangle shows 200 Sussex Street. The one with the square shows 201 Sussex Street.
Photo: Google Maps

For most people, the journey from the Shelbourne Hotel at 200 Sussex Street to Google’s Sydney headquarters across the road at 201 Sussex Street would be a 30-step, 30-second trip.

But according to Google’s new mapping service, the recommended route would see you take a 10.4-kilometer scenic detour that involves crossing the Harbour Bridge twice.

Google calculates that this route would entail an off-peak travel time of 18 minutes. It doesn’t tell you that you’d also be up for a $3 bridge toll.

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