Google Announces ChromeOS: Is it a game changer?

Google's announcement of ChromeOS has sparked widely varying opinions on the Internet.

On its own, ChromeOS is an open source operating system targeting netbooks and desktop PCs. Google's intent is to support cloud computing -- internal or external. At this level, ChromeOS is certainly a threat to the Linux versions in that space. While an open source project, ChromeOS has the financial backing of a major player that can push development of device drivers and core functionality.

Given Microsoft's absence from the netbook market and ownership of business desktops, the threat to Microsoft is indirect. Will businesses migrate to OpenOffice? Will they run "office in the cloud"?

If you combine ChromeOS with Wave, however, the story changes. While most of the world focused on Wave's user interface, I find Google's stated intention of letting customers run federated servers in-house most fascinating. Wave is a private-cloud platform. Combine federated Wave servers with ChromeOS and you have the potential for an ecosystem.

ChromeOS on the desktop connecting to in-house, shared, and public Wave servers as well as other cloud computing services. Google has the potential to fundamentally change the way businesses compute.

Cloud Computing for SMBs is not Just About Google and CRM

The range of cloud-based solutions for small- and mid-size businesses continues to grow. One example is WorkingPoint, a cloud-based business management system that includes invoicing, expenses, bookkeeping, contact management, and other features backed by a double-entry accounting system.

Designed for small businesses, WorkingPoint runs over Amazon's cloud. The first user is free, with additional users costing $10/month. For a company with simple bookkeeping and accounting needs and a few (or only one) person needing access, the cost/benefit of WorkingPoint is compelling.

As I said, though, this is only one example of cloud- based solutions moving into areas of business computing beyond email, collaboration, and CRM.

Which services have you found? Do you use?

Google Fusion Tables: Databases in The Cloud

On June 9th, Google quietly announced the Beta availability of Google Fusion Tables. This "Labs" application provides the ability to query multiple databases and data sources, including social media, rss, and other live feeds.

While an early labs release, Google Fusion Tables is a clear indication that Google hears its customers' desire for better data management with Google Apps Premier Edition and the "cloud", in general.

5 Things to Know about Google Wave (from PC Mag)

With the industry buzzing about Google Wave (and Facebook and Twitter likely rethinking strategy), PC Magazine provides a good overview of things you should know about Google Wave as it approaches release.

Read the Article Here.

Will You Catch the Google Wave?

What if some of the most create web developers decided to rethink email, IM, and Internet communications from scratch? What if they worked for a company with the resources to let them think and create for years? What is you could mix the real-time communication of Twitter and Facebook with the organization of email and contacts?

The answer: Google Wave. Take a sneak peek here.

Valeo Demonstrates That Businesses Trust Google

Google recently announced that Valeo, an "independent industrial group fully focused on the design, production, and sale of components, integrated systems, and modules for cars and trucks," is deploying Google Apps to all 30,000 employees.

Why does this matter?

Industry watchers like Dave Rosenberg see this deal as further validation that companies of all sizes trust Google and Cloud Computing. More important than the cost savings of 50% to 75% over in-house solutions, businesses and non-profits must trust the security, availability, and reliability of the solution.

Google Slowdown Yesterday Morning

Google has officially acknowledged and identified a cause for yesterday mornings "slow down" across all Google services.

Did you experience slow access??

Did you experience a full outage??

Objective View of Google vs. Microsoft

Twinstrata, the company that sells Clarity AP (assessment and planning) software, conducted a comprehensive study of the costs and risks of Google Apps versus Microsoft Exchange. In his Storage Bits blog, Robin Harris provides a good summary of the results.

Robin's summary explains the stark cost difference -- 20x on capital equipment and 5x to 6x on a 3 year total cost of ownership (TCO). Some of the details warrant clarification.

First, the study narrowed the gap based on the risk of unplanned downtime. MS Exchange, however, requires downtime on a monthly basis (or expensive redundancy configurations), for system and operating system patches and updates. Planned downtime adds to the cost and should be counted when comparing availability given that Google is engineered for zero-downtime.

Second, Google is developing a robust and diverse channel to provide the implementation, migration, integration, and support services identified is lacking in the study. While purchasing through a reseller increases the cost over the direct Google pricing, the value of the services improves the quality, and therefore lowers the cost, of using Google.

While these considerations may change the equation slightly, the business case for Google Apps is valid for many small and mid-size businesses.

Is 99.9% Up-Time Good Enough?

Google's commitment to Google Apps Premier Edition availability is 99.9%. Is this enough?

Earlier this week, I posted an entry that compared 99.9% availability of a 7x24x365 system with higher availability claims for solutions that require downtime for scheduled maintenance.

Back in October 2008, Google turned to research conducted by Radicati Group, an independent industry analysis firm. The results were enlightening and resulted in Google extending the 99.9% guarantee for Gmail to all of applications within Google Apps Premier Edition.

Were YOU fooled by the Google Autopilot Announcement?

Did you see Google's announcement for Gmail AutoPilot? Did you think, "What a great service?" Did your read the sample messages and responses?

While AutoPilot sounds cool, it was just an April Fool's Day joke.

Cloud Computing to Grow by 21% This Year

As reported on PCMAG.COM, Gartner is projecting a 21% world-wide growth in Cloud Computing. The report identifies the success of Google in creating a new business and delivery model which Microsoft, Yahoo, and others are now starting to emulate.

Google Adds Voice Search to Blackberry App

Blackberry users can not take advantage of Google's voice search. Simply go to m.google.com in your Blackberry browser and download the app.

All MS Systems Vulnerable to Year-Old Security Hole

Once again, Windows systems (every supported version) is vulnerable to a significant security attack. As reported in ZDNet, Microsoft was alerted to the issue a year ago and has failed to provide a patch.

Time again for IT staff to spend time and energy working around a security problem instead of on projects that help businesses thrive and grow.

Now that I think of it, maybe the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) will petition the FTC to stop Microsoft from selling systems with security holes. Given Microsoft's track record, it sounds like a better case than EPIC's complaint against Google.

Public Service or Extortion?

Earlier this week, the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) petitioned the FTC to force Google to shut down operations of Gmail, Google Docs, and other services (PCMag coverage here). Their justification was the resent security issue with Google Docs that impacted fewer than 0.05% of Google Doc users.

Sounds like EPIC is very concerned about the public's information privacy. UNTIL you read the full petition. In addition to asking the FTC to halt Google's business until government employees determine it is 100% safe, EPIC is asking that Google pay millions of dollars of fines into a fund that may be tapped by EPIC and other privacy groups' operations.

Seems to me that EPIC is attempting a good ole' fashion shakedown.

Google Voice is Coming as an upgrade to GrandCentral

As reported in the Official Google Blog, Google is preparing to replace its GrandCentral voice service with Google Voice. Google Voice is designed to provide you with a universal number that will ring your office, home, and mobile numbers while providing a single voice mailbox and a rich set of features.

For now, only existing GrandCentral users in the US can upgrade, but Google is promising to extend availability in the near future.

A Rational View of Google's Recent Minor Security Glitch

David Schrag, author of Stop Buying Servers, offers a rational assessment of Google's recent security glitch ... read it here

Google Docs now has Footnotes

Google Docs now supports footnotes! Here's how ...

Publish Results with Forms and Spreadsheets

When you create a form, associated with a spreadsheet, you can now elect to share results -- a summary of responses -- with your collaborators, or with everybody that fills in the form.

Learn more here.

"Spreadsheet Lite" Improves Access from Mobile Phones

Google has added "List View" to Google Spreadsheets. List view is a basic, fast-loading view of a spreadsheet, with simplified editing features. It makes it easy to access Google Spreadsheets:

• On a slow Internet connection
• From some mobile phones
• When there are more than 50 users trying to access a spreadsheet at the same time

Learn more here.

Google Starts Down Certification Path

Google announced that they are offering on-line courses and a certification test for Google Analytics. This is a good start in helping business owners understand if they are engaging qualified resources.

We look forward to Google expanding the program to their other product lines. We also encourage Google to consider a practicum or customer references to further validate skill sets.