Google Apps is a powerful, cost-effective tool that allows small and medium-sized businesses to run their companies more efficiently and collaboratively.

However, we find that many organizations do not fully understand what it is and how to leverage it for their business.

Below we answer some common questions and misconceptions about the product.
 
Why should I replace my Exchange server with Google Apps?

For small and medium-sized organizations with limited technical staff, Exchange can be cumbersome to administer.  Google Apps provides a streamlined solution that requires no hardware or software and is completely on the "cloud".

You can purchase Google Apps directly from Google or through an Authorized Reseller. By using an Authorized Reseller, you get the best of both worlds.  The reseller provides convenient, personalized services and Google provides its industry leading technology services.
(Shameless plug: WRIS is a proud Google Apps Reseller)

What does it cost?

Google Apps is surprisingly affordable.  Most organizations find that they get more for less with Google Apps.  But don’t take our word for it – check out this Google Apps versus Microsoft Exchange cost calculator.

Can I still use Outlook?

Of course!  With Google Apps for Business you get 25GB of storage space (which is a lot!), interoperability with Microsoft Outlook and Blackberry systems, unlimited users and a bunch of fancy security options.  And it's compatible with your mobile device, be it iPhone, Android, Blackberry or Windows Mobile.

How about spam filtering?

Google’s best of breed email filtering services, Google Message Services (aka Postini), is included.  WRIS is an authorized Postini Reseller.

Besides email, what does Google Apps give me?

In addition to being a powerful email solution, Google Apps provides a variety of highly useful business productivity tools.  One of the most popular is Google Docs which allows multiple people to edit documents online.  Some of the other great tools are calendaring, Google Video and Google Groups.

I thought Google Apps was free.  Why are you selling it?

Some portions of the Google Apps product suite are free.  However, many of the items that appeal to small and medium-sized businesses Google charges for (you will hear it called “Google Apps for Business” sometimes).  For example, you can only get Outlook connectivity with the paid version of Google Apps.  The free version also limits the number of users as well as the amount of storage space.

Why should I purchase it through a Google Apps reseller?

Since we’re experienced in migrating companies to Google Apps, we can help you transition efficiently to minimize downtime and costs.  Our support team is local and responsive; two important factors to consider anytime systems are changed.

Summer is in full swing here at WRIS. In the spirit of sunshine, our team QA for the week is:

What is your favorite thing to do/eat in the summer that you can't do/eat the rest of the year?

Carmen: One of the best parts of summer is being able to swim outside.  Whether it is lap swimming to get ready for triathlon season (another great part of summer) or just playing in the shallow end with my little boys, there’s just something magical about the smell of chlorine and sun!

Salli: Throwing open all the windows first thing in the morning and leaving them open until late at night.  I love the smell of fresh air throughout the house.

Charlie: I would have to say the ability to cook out and hang outside at night.  I know you can do this in the other seasons but it’s just not the same as summer.

Bonny: Gazpacho- I would eat it every day if I could.

John: I like to grill and chill out outside with friends and family. Also walking around the neighborhood is always nice in the summer.

Sandy: Watching the fireflies in our backyard at dusk; I’ve only lived east of the Rockies for four years, and they’re still magical to me.

Debbie: Hanging out by the pool with friends!

This is the second installment in our on-going series on Social Media for Manufacturing.  This is an extension of a recent seminar Web Marketing Manager Carmen Fontana gave on the topic for the Cleveland manufacturing association, WIRE-net. While geared towards industrial companies, many of the principles can be applied to businesses of all types.

There are tons and tons of social media channels out there.  From the common to the not so common, it can be overwhelming understanding the differences between all the different platforms.  

Here are a few of the most common social media outlets used by manufacturers:

• Blogs – An extension of your website, blogs allow you to share extended thoughts, ideas and commentary about your business and industry.  They are usually between 300 and 500 words, which requires a serious time commitment in order to be produced on a regular basis.  If you can find the time, they can really be worth it.  The content produced adds to the usability of your site and positions your company as a thought leader.  And it is great for search engine optimization!
• Facebook – The biggest social media platform of them all is seeing a lot of action from manufacturing companies.  Since many marketers already have a personal account, it is an easy transition to setting up a corporate one for their company.  That said, Facebook is not always the best route for industrial companies.  One, there is still quite a few companies that block Facebook on their internal networks, leaving your company’s corporate Facebook page inaccessible.  Second, there is a perception that Facebook is a “playground” of sorts and not appropriate for B2B companies.  This may change as more and more B2B companies break ground on Facebook.
• Twitter – A “microblogging” site, Twitter users converse in 140 character “tweets”.  Since it is less time intensive than blogs, many companies are turning to Twitter to converse with their “followers”.  However, it is still fledging in the industrial world and only time will tell if it gets universally adopted by this group.
• LinkedIn – The more “professional” social networking platform, LinkedIn allows individuals and companies to connect and share information in a more formal atmosphere.  No vacation pictures or videos of funny dog tricks here!
• YouTube – This well-known video sharing site is growing in popularity among industrial marketers because it allows companies to show (versus tell about) their product.  This is especially important where product installations may be particularly large or custom.  Additionally, videos cut down the language barriers that many international manufacturers contend with.  As the old adage goes, a picture (or in this case – a video) is worth a thousand words!

Next installment: How does Social Media fit into your manufacturing marketing plan?

(With Independence Day just around the corner, it's only appropriate that this week’s blog have a patriotic flair.)

If you could have coffee with any American hero (dead or live), who would it be and why?

 John: Abraham Lincoln, for his ability to make difficult, unpopular decisions on so many different issues during his reign as President.

Bonny: I would have like to have coffee with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Understanding his perspective regarding race would be amazing.  That being said, I would really be interested in knowing what he thinks about today's society (race related) and how it has evolved since he was assassinated.

Carmen: I’d have to say Ben Franklin.  That guy was smart!  He accomplished a lot in the realm of science and politics – without the use of modern technology.

Debbie: I would say Mother Teresa, even though she is not American.  She believed in her mission from God and always lived her life believing that her good would carry forward to all she touched.

Salli: No one who fits the traditional definition of "American Hero" jumps out in my mind...I do know I would like to talk with some of my grandparents and great-grandparents who have passed on, as they are heros to me.  Times were so much tougher back then and yet they accomplished so much!

Sandy: I think I’d pick Margaret Sanger, mostly because I’d want her to know what her persistence has accomplished, and to see what she thought of it.

Charlie: John Adams.  I think it would be extremely interesting to talk with him about everything he and the others went through to figure out how to create the structure of this country.

This is the first installment in our on-going series on Social Media for Manufacturing.  This is an extension of a recent seminar Web Marketing Manager Carmen Fontana gave on the topic for the Cleveland manufacturing association, WIRE-net. While geared towards industrial companies, many of the principles can be applied to businesses of all types.

What is Social Media?

The words “Social Media” are often intimidating to manufacturers. There are a lot of fancy (and sometimes conflicting) definitions out there.  So let’s strip away the marketing speak and see what the dictionary says:

“Forms of electronic communication (such as Web sites for social networking and microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (as videos)” - Meriam Webster

So simply speaking, Social Media is nothing more than communication that just happens to be on the web.  There’s nothing mystical about that!

Why Social Media?

• Communication: Social Media gives you a forum tolet your constituents know what you are doing and why.
• Brand Development: An extension of your tradional marketing, Social Mediais another medium to share your message about what your company stands for.
• Relationship Building: Manufacturers tend to be more national and international than other businesses.  Social Media allows you to connect to people around the globe you may not have an opportunity to otherwise.
• Thought Leadership:  Know one knows your product (or marketspace) better than you.  Leverage Social Media to share what you know.
• Knowledge Gathering: What’s happening in your industry?  What’s happening with your competitors?  What are people saying about your products?  Social Media allows you to listen in to these conversations.
• Search Engine Optimization: Social Media signals are now being used to influence traditional SEO.  Expect for Social Media’s influence on Google and Bing’s rankings to continue to grow.

Next installment: An overview of the most common Social Media platforms for manufacturers