My Journey to Gmail

TuesdayFeb 2, 2010
by Aaron Magruder
After three years of dipping my toes in the pool, I finally jumped in both feet first.  Google has been my primary tool for web site analytics, chat/instant message, blogging, rss reader, voice/voicemail, bookmark synchronizing and search alerts.  But I’ve been holding onto Microsoft Outlook for dear life.  It was familiar but also problematic and error prone.

The straw that broke the camel’s back was my last computer upgrade from Windows Vista to Windows 7 64 bit.  I realized that the need to restore my e-mail and accounts on my computer was too much of a pain.  If I needed to sync my outlook contacts, it was via a usb cable, not over the wireless data network.

After configuring Google’s Gmail to pull my POP3 e-mail, importing my Outlook contacts and enabling e-mails to be sent from my business e-mail, I was off and running.  Google makes this process simple.  The hardest part was getting use to labels versus Outlook folders.  Gmail gives you the ability to label e-mails with names similar to dropping mail into folders.  Rules can be set up to label e-mail as in comes in just like Outlook and archive messages do they don’t show up in your inbox.  E-mail searching is much faster and  now have the ability to add and share multiple calendars to keep track of personal and business obligations.  Google Mobile App for the blackberry allows me to sync selected calendars and contacts to my mobile device.

Google Apps comes in a business and personal usage edition.  The business version cost $50 per user per year which isn’t a bad price considering you get increased e-mail and file  storage at 25GB of e-mail per user and 10GB storage plus 500MB per user for shared storage.

Google has had their share of outages which makes many businesses leery of Software as a Service  (SaaS) applications.  Determine your threshold for e-mail and document downtime versus your expense of hosting your own solution and software.  Keep in mind that you need a good, fast internet connection, maybe two incase the first one fails.  Google Apps may not be the right fit for all small businesses and should consult with your trusted technical advisor before making the
switch.

 

Aaron Magruder

amagruder@nonstopnetworks.net
(816) 846-0676
 

NonStop Networks, LLC

Cisco Unified Communications Solutions
 

Visit our Resource Center and Blog, 
Join the Kansas City Small Business Technology Community, Meet Us on Facebook, Find Us on LinkedIn and Follow on Twitter.

Focused on solving problems for small and medium sized businesses who are frustrated that their communication systems are letting them down, worried about security and concerned with rising technology cost.  Helping businesses communicate in real-time with customers and staff – anytime, anywhere.

There is no warranty in the information listed. It is always recommended that your seek the advice of a trusted professional.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

About Aaron Magruder

NonStop Networks, LLC is dedicated to small and medium business Cisco Unified Communications Solutions including planning, design, installation and support. Our comprehensive range of Cisco services and products include Networking, Network Management, Security, Wireless, Video, Voice Systems and Telecommunications Service (Internet, Voice, MPLS, Cellular). We specialize in: • Small businesses looking to replacement their aging phone system or a start-up looking for their first VoIP phone system • Medium sized businesses with understaffed voice, security and network groups that need staff augmentation, looking for a reliable Cisco Partner. What makes us different? 1. We care about your business and provide personalized service. As Network Operators, Engineers and Managers we have been in your shoes and know what it takes to make you successful. 2. Expert Service from Sales to Design to Implementation to Support. 3. Priced Right. Our services are ~35% less than other companies providing CCIE resources. We are only interested in selling you the right sized services and equipment for your project, not what will make us the most profit.

Share this post

Add your comment » (Number 2 at this site)