Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Official Google Enterprise Blog: Bringing it all together for Google Apps customers...
Official Google Enterprise Blog: Bringing it all together for Google Apps customers...: Posted by Clay Bavor, Director of Product Management, Google Apps Life gets a bit easier when your Google Apps products work well togeth...
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Demise of the desktop?
It’s sometimes easy to forget how recent the introduction of desktop computers to the workplace is, but you only have to go back one generation to recall life before they existed. A fixed line telephone was the primary method of communication, filing cabinets stored our documents and letters were typed up for delivery by post the next day, if you were lucky. Faxes briefly became common place but quickly lost out to email.
In the desktop computer, we appear to have everything we need to carry out business. So much so that the desktop computer is now a standard feature in all businesses, but will the next generation look back on the desktop computer in the same way we do the typewriter? If so, what will the desktop computer be replaced by and what will drive that change?
To answer these questions we can look at a number of trends already taking place. First and foremost is the prevalence of portable devices such as tablets and smartphones. These provide us with the same computing power found on a standard desktop computer. There’s no question that the trend for more power on smaller devices is set to continue.
Microsoft have recognised this with Windows 8, an operating system designed as much to be run on mobile devices as it is a traditional desktop computer. Many are hailing this change as an indication that we have already entered the ‘Post PC’ age.
In competition with Microsoft are Google and Apple, each with their own systems designed to provide users with a plethora of ‘apps’ to get their work done on the move. These ‘apps’ are increasingly sophisticated. Video conferencing, real-time messaging, instant translation, voice recognition and responsive hardware make using a smartphone ever more functional for performing work tasks away from the desk.
Another trend is for these devices to be continually connected to the internet. Wifi hotspots and 4G connectivity ensure near continuous connectivity for user. The idea of having to wait until you have access to a desktop computer to access the internet already feels dated. Being connected to the internet is a key requirement of the modern desktop computer, so by having that connectivity on portable devices, its relevance diminishes in the same way that the need for a desk phone is diminishing with the mobile.
Perhaps the most significant indication that the desktop computer will become less relevant is the ability to store documents in the ‘cloud’ using services provided by the likes of Microsoft Live Drive, Google Drive and Apple iCloud. Storing data in this way, combined with internet connectivity means that working on your documents can happen from any device from any location. The need for an onsite hard drive, or even workplace file servers is therefore less relevant too.
These changes don’t just to make it possible to work from multiple devices and locations, but really do have the potential to render the desktop computer redundant. Already, companies are grappling with governance and security policies for staff who would prefer to work on their own device instead of their work computer. Some businesses are even pursuing a ‘bring your own device’ policy and replacing installed desktop applications with cloud based apps.
That doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the desk as a work space, or indeed the use of peripheral equipment. A decent sized screen, QWERTY keyboard and comfortable mouse is still conducive to a productivity, even if the bulky computer and hard drive that sits behind them isn’t needed.
There’s other challenges associated with this change too. Currently, access to your work documents will require you to visit your place of work, log in to a desktop computer and access data through a local or network drive. Those steps provide a useful series of security barriers that help to protect your data. Moving documents to the cloud and making them available for you to work on from any device also increases the potential for unauthorised access. That requires serious consideration and user education.
Another challenge is how to manage the shift to using more collaborative tools. Current convention is for documents to be created and stored on a desktop computer and distributed by email. Cloud services now mean they can be created and shared for online collaboration in real-time. That fundamentally changes the way people work and can bring with it a confusion about what is ‘standard practice’. Which cloud platforms are we to trust? How should they interact? Who owns the data?
In amongst all this change, there are some constants. We need to communicate and to create information for distribution. What’s clear is that technology continually adapts to make this happen quicker and more efficiently. In that march of progress, the desktop computer as we know is sure to be left behind. We may even come to wonder in years to come how it survived as long as it did.
In the desktop computer, we appear to have everything we need to carry out business. So much so that the desktop computer is now a standard feature in all businesses, but will the next generation look back on the desktop computer in the same way we do the typewriter? If so, what will the desktop computer be replaced by and what will drive that change?
To answer these questions we can look at a number of trends already taking place. First and foremost is the prevalence of portable devices such as tablets and smartphones. These provide us with the same computing power found on a standard desktop computer. There’s no question that the trend for more power on smaller devices is set to continue.
Microsoft have recognised this with Windows 8, an operating system designed as much to be run on mobile devices as it is a traditional desktop computer. Many are hailing this change as an indication that we have already entered the ‘Post PC’ age.
In competition with Microsoft are Google and Apple, each with their own systems designed to provide users with a plethora of ‘apps’ to get their work done on the move. These ‘apps’ are increasingly sophisticated. Video conferencing, real-time messaging, instant translation, voice recognition and responsive hardware make using a smartphone ever more functional for performing work tasks away from the desk.
Another trend is for these devices to be continually connected to the internet. Wifi hotspots and 4G connectivity ensure near continuous connectivity for user. The idea of having to wait until you have access to a desktop computer to access the internet already feels dated. Being connected to the internet is a key requirement of the modern desktop computer, so by having that connectivity on portable devices, its relevance diminishes in the same way that the need for a desk phone is diminishing with the mobile.
Perhaps the most significant indication that the desktop computer will become less relevant is the ability to store documents in the ‘cloud’ using services provided by the likes of Microsoft Live Drive, Google Drive and Apple iCloud. Storing data in this way, combined with internet connectivity means that working on your documents can happen from any device from any location. The need for an onsite hard drive, or even workplace file servers is therefore less relevant too.
These changes don’t just to make it possible to work from multiple devices and locations, but really do have the potential to render the desktop computer redundant. Already, companies are grappling with governance and security policies for staff who would prefer to work on their own device instead of their work computer. Some businesses are even pursuing a ‘bring your own device’ policy and replacing installed desktop applications with cloud based apps.
That doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the desk as a work space, or indeed the use of peripheral equipment. A decent sized screen, QWERTY keyboard and comfortable mouse is still conducive to a productivity, even if the bulky computer and hard drive that sits behind them isn’t needed.
There’s other challenges associated with this change too. Currently, access to your work documents will require you to visit your place of work, log in to a desktop computer and access data through a local or network drive. Those steps provide a useful series of security barriers that help to protect your data. Moving documents to the cloud and making them available for you to work on from any device also increases the potential for unauthorised access. That requires serious consideration and user education.
Another challenge is how to manage the shift to using more collaborative tools. Current convention is for documents to be created and stored on a desktop computer and distributed by email. Cloud services now mean they can be created and shared for online collaboration in real-time. That fundamentally changes the way people work and can bring with it a confusion about what is ‘standard practice’. Which cloud platforms are we to trust? How should they interact? Who owns the data?
In amongst all this change, there are some constants. We need to communicate and to create information for distribution. What’s clear is that technology continually adapts to make this happen quicker and more efficiently. In that march of progress, the desktop computer as we know is sure to be left behind. We may even come to wonder in years to come how it survived as long as it did.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Official Google Enterprise Blog: Google Apps offers additional compliance options f...
Official Google Enterprise Blog: Google Apps offers additional compliance options f...: Posted by Marc Crandall, Head of Global Compliance, Google Enterprise Earlier this year, we announced our plan to offer model contract cl...
Monday, November 19, 2012
The problem with Windows 8
If you were in any doubt that the desktop computing model was dead, Windows 8 proves the point. The new Metro interface is designed to work with touch screen mobile devices (more so than the desktop) and the option of being able to login with your Microsoft account and run cloud apps is there too.
Great! We're in the future! Only we're not really. This is still Microsoft desperately trying to keep us buying the bloated windows operating system, designed for running executable files that we've come to love and loathe since 1995. In practice, Metro is little more than a new start menu that runs on top of Windows 7 with a bunch of full screen 'apps' that make it feel more usable on a mobile.
On the one hand Microsoft have recognised an important change. We use mobile devices. On the other hand they have failed to notice that maintaining a bloated operating system like this on mobiles as well as desktops holds very little appeal for the average end user, let alone a system administrator.
Windows requires lots of maintenance and updates, namely because of it's extensive legacy. On installing Windows 8 I had to wait an hour for a number of important updates to apply, only weeks after its release. Not something I'm desperately keen to see happen on my mobile phone or tablet device.
It really doesn't need to be like this. Android and iOS have shown that you can operate in a much leaner way. Moreover, devices that run on these systems recognise that control is with the end user rather than the IT department.
This is why I think Windows 8 will ultimately fail. Buying a bloated operating system that only needs to access web services seems like a wasteful expense. Maintaining it across hundreds of devices is an even greater one that companies don't want or need to take on any more.
So what future for Windows? I think we'll see a free, low maintenance, lightweight fork that ditches the legacy bloat designed for running .exe files. It will be engineered for web apps and will guide you towards their web subscription services. Windows as we know it is a dying operating system and anybody with eyes in their head can see that, even Microsoft.
Great! We're in the future! Only we're not really. This is still Microsoft desperately trying to keep us buying the bloated windows operating system, designed for running executable files that we've come to love and loathe since 1995. In practice, Metro is little more than a new start menu that runs on top of Windows 7 with a bunch of full screen 'apps' that make it feel more usable on a mobile.
On the one hand Microsoft have recognised an important change. We use mobile devices. On the other hand they have failed to notice that maintaining a bloated operating system like this on mobiles as well as desktops holds very little appeal for the average end user, let alone a system administrator.
Windows requires lots of maintenance and updates, namely because of it's extensive legacy. On installing Windows 8 I had to wait an hour for a number of important updates to apply, only weeks after its release. Not something I'm desperately keen to see happen on my mobile phone or tablet device.
It really doesn't need to be like this. Android and iOS have shown that you can operate in a much leaner way. Moreover, devices that run on these systems recognise that control is with the end user rather than the IT department.
This is why I think Windows 8 will ultimately fail. Buying a bloated operating system that only needs to access web services seems like a wasteful expense. Maintaining it across hundreds of devices is an even greater one that companies don't want or need to take on any more.
So what future for Windows? I think we'll see a free, low maintenance, lightweight fork that ditches the legacy bloat designed for running .exe files. It will be engineered for web apps and will guide you towards their web subscription services. Windows as we know it is a dying operating system and anybody with eyes in their head can see that, even Microsoft.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Official Google Enterprise Blog: Larger hangouts in Google+ for businesses, governm...
Official Google Enterprise Blog: Larger hangouts in Google+ for businesses, governm...: Posted by Ronald Ho, Product Manager, Google Apps Like Google Apps, we think Google+ can help colleagues collaborate more easily and get t...
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Official Google Enterprise Blog: Introducing the new compose in Gmail
Official Google Enterprise Blog: Introducing the new compose in Gmail: Posted by Phil Sharp, Product Manager (Cross-posted on the Gmail Blog .) We're always trying to make Gmail faster and easier to use, ...
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Moving from Outlook to Gmail
Without a doubt the biggest hurdle for businesses to overcome when they 'Go Google' is the transition from a desktop based email client like MS Outlook to Gmail. Here's some tips for helping users make the adjustment.
For users who want to continue with Outlook it's also important to explain the risks and costs associated with the desktop approach. This isn't about choosing an email client to suit individual preference, it's about choosing an email system that works for the entire organization.
1. Explain as clearly as possible why the change is happening.
It's not enough to say 'Gmail is better' because that will always be a matter of judgement and individual preference. Be more specific and explain that Gmail will be implemented to help manage desktop and server costs, improve up-time, provide more storage and allow better support for mobile workers. By understanding these points and the bigger picture (ideally communicated from the 'business' not just the IT department) users will be much more tolerant of the impact on them personally.For users who want to continue with Outlook it's also important to explain the risks and costs associated with the desktop approach. This isn't about choosing an email client to suit individual preference, it's about choosing an email system that works for the entire organization.
2. Hammer the point home. Searching IS more efficient than sorting.
It's not efficient to find emails by sorting, but because users have been doing this for the past 15 years on Outlook it's likely to be second nature and therefore efficient to them. This needs to be challenged. Separating emails into folders takes up time that can be easily avoided using search methods. Demonstrate the use of advanced search (drop down options), labels and conversation view to help users fine tune their search results and quickly identify the email they are looking for.3. Encourage users to keep the conversation view switched on.
Conversation view provides better search results, keeps inbox clutter down and saves switching between inbox and sent-items when reviewing emails, but one of the first mistakes many Outlook users make is to switch conversation view off because they aren't used to it. That's not a good way to benefit from the transition to the new system or to save time.4. Understand the value of labels.
Searching is easier with colour coded labels and labels help provide a sense of order, but there's no reason why this has to be done manually. Much better to use automatic filters and avoid the effort of categorizing emails altogether.5. Show users where the 'All mail' folder is.
This re-emphasizes the fact that Gmail is a search based system. All emails are in one place for searching. The labels are not 'folders' designed to separate emails for sorting. They are labels / tags designed only to help with search. This distinction cannot be overstated. Once understood the transition to Gmail is much easier.6. Migrate existing messages to the All Mail folder
Whilst it's possible to migrate Exchange email folders to Gmail labels, I'd suggest putting them into 'All Mail' archive instead. This will emphasize the 'search' over 'sort' approach, encourage the user to build up their own filters / labels thereby avoiding confusion with the Outlook model.7. Circulate the 'Life after Outlook' PDF provided by Google.
This is the single best document for helping users make the transition and benefit from the power of Gmail.
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