Why do we use Google Apps at Funke Web Solutions?

Back in 2006, when Funke was born, so too was Google Apps For Your Domain. There was an immediate attraction to Google’s promise of “infinite+1” mail storage space and access to a suite of online hosted applications, all at a cost of $FREE!!

Almost 3 years on and we couldn’t be happier that we made the move to Google Apps. We’re so happy, we wanted to share some of the ways Google Apps has made our Funke lives easier.

Minimal hardware and software costs

Isn’t 7GB of email storage at no cost enough of an excuse? Well how about access to Google Talk for Instant Messaging and Voice; Google Calendar for your appointments; Google Docs for collaborating on documents and spreadsheets; and syncing data to your mobile/PDA. Isn’t that reason enough to make the switch?

Not to mention, Google Apps Premier Edition boasts an impressive 25GB of mail storage for $50USD per user account, per year with a 99.9% uptime guarantee!

Access your emails any way you like

Everyone at Funke has their own methods (and madness) as to how to best manage their emails. Google Apps and Gmail doesn’t lock you into a technology, rather it caters for our varying differences and preferences. Funke staff uses the full spectrum of Operating Systems and tools, including

• Windows with Microsoft Outlook using POP
• Windows with Google Chrome to access Gmail (with Google Gears for offline access)
• Ubuntu with Thunderbird
• Mac with Safari to access Gmail.
• HTC Magic and Android for mobility.
• HTC Touch Cruise using Google Mobile Sync.
• iPhone using IMAP

... and from anywhere you like!

Some Funke staff are constantly on the move. Having your emails hosted in a central place with easy access means no headaches when you’re out on the road. You’re not tied to complex remote access procedures or the fear of coming back to the office with 50 unread messages.

Offline Access (Google Gears)

Internet is down and you need an email urgent... what to do? With Google Gears installed in your browser, you can search for that urgent email and even continue to write a few new ones. When the Internet connection is back up, Google gears automagically synchronises your emails for you.

Instant Messaging

Google Chat within Gmail, Google Talk or a multi-protocol IM client such as Digsby lets us send messages and files with ease. It also helps to grab someone’s attention when they have music blasting through their earphones and can’t hear you screaming their name.

Calendar Sharing for Team

Things to do, people to see. Google Calendar makes it easy to manage work and personal live(s). There are various integration methods available to those of us who prefer using third party software to manage their calendars. Microsoft Outlook users can use Google Calendar Sync and there is also support for iCal.

Shared calendar for reminders of tasks & company announcements

Funke uses a shared calendar with reminders for common tasks such as deployments, invoicing, deadlines and company outings. We even get convenient email and SMS reminders so we don’t miss our appointments at the local pub!

Collaboration on Documents & Spreadsheets & Presentations... Oh My!

Google Docs is an easy way to create and share our work online. It enables Funke to have quick access to collaborate on documents and spreadsheets in real time.

Task Management

Google Tasks helps our team manage their tasks and stay on top of their game. A useful feature is the ability to add an email directly to your task list - keeping our Gmail inbox clear. Google Tasks promotion form Labs is a welcome addition to the Google Apps suite.
 

Funke is just one of the 2 million businesses that have benefited from using Google Apps as its online office software.

Contact Funke to see how Google Apps can help your organisation.