Google Apps FAQ: Standard vs. Premiere

A.) PRICE: Google Apps Standard edition is a free service offered by Google, while Google Apps Premiere edition costs $50 user/year.  Which version is right for your organization depends on its size and goals.

B.) E-MAIL STORAGE: The good news is that both editions allow you to use your own @yourbusiness.com e-mail address.  The second difference between Standard and Premiere is that the Standard edition gives each user 7 GB of e-mail storage while the Premiere edition gives each user 25 GB of e-mail storage.

C.) NUMBER OF USERS: The third difference is that Google Apps Standard edition is only available to organizations with 50 or less users.

D.) APPLICATIONS: Google Apps Standard allows your business to take advantage of Google Calendar, Google Docs (Documents, Spreadsheets, and Presentations), and Google Sites. Google Apps Premiere features two additional applications in the suite: Google Video and Google Groups. Both editions are also able to use applications on the Google Apps Marketplace.

E.) MICROSOFT SYNCING: If your business seeks to sync Google Apps with Microsoft Outlook, Google Apps Premiere is required. However, Microsoft Office can sync with a Google Apps Standard by using Offisync, which is available for free.

That is a great question and it comes down to what you want to get out of Google Apps. Google Apps Premiere features Google Video and Google Groups, which are not available in the Standard edition.

Your business will also be required to use Google Apps Premiere edition if your organization has more than 50 users.

The Premiere Edition also comes with a money-back 99.9% uptime guarantee, as well as 24/7 support.

The Premiere Edition also contains API integration that allows for more functionality with third-party applications. APIs are required if you would like to migrate your prior e-mail system’s data to Google Apps or would like to sync Microsoft Outlook with Google Apps.

Google Apps Premiere edition is right solution for your business if you answer yes to any of the following questions:

• Your organization has more than 50 users.
• Your organization seeks to migrate its data from a previous e-mail system.
• Your organization seeks to sync Google Apps with Microsoft Outlook.
• Your company seeks to securely share videos within the organization.
• Your company seeks to archive e-mails.

If you’re a small business with less than 50 users, 7 GB of storage is plenty of e-mail storage. I’ve been using Gmail since 2006 and I’ve only used up 7% of my 7 GB of e-mail storage.  If your company is a large organization that seeks to archive your e-mails through a service like Postini, then Google Apps premiere is the proper edition for you.

Yes! A common misconception is that Apps in Google’s Marketplace are only available to premiere edition users. This is not true. Standard editions users can take advantage of the many Apps in Google’s App Marketplace.

Which version is right for you depends on numerous factors, but it mostly depends on the the size of your organization and your organization’s goals.  I would be happy to discuss which edition is best suited for your needs.  Please feel free to e-mail me or call me at 1-888-652-3135.

You might be overwhelmed by the amount of information that exists concerning Google Apps and whether it is the right product for your business. Zadling will act as your personal Google Apps and website strategist. You’ll be able to utilize our resources to help your business gain a competitive advantage through utilizing Google’s powerful technology. Not only will we handle the process of setting up Google Apps for your business, but we will also provide personal coaching on how to get the most out of Google Apps.

We have been developing and marketing websites for over twelve years now and we are also extremely knowledgeable about Google Apps. If you want to learn how to play basketball, ask Coach K, but if you want to streamline your business processes with Google Apps, ask Zadling.