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Google Apps for Work - It works!
March 15, 2016

Google Apps for Work - It works!

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Google App Engine

We use Google Apps across our entire organization for email, calendaring, collaboration ( via Google Docs, Sheets, Sites, Hangouts, etc…) directory, archiving and retention, as well as social and video delivery (YouTube). The primary use of Google Apps in our organization is for corporate email. The platform is stable and reliable. Our users are familiar with the interface, keeping training requirements low.
  • Robust email system.
  • Easy to understand document sharing.
  • The calendar integrates well with email.
  • The Apps have limitations. Be sure you are OK with those limitations before you install. Google has not been responsive to feature requests.
  • Managing Calendar without a third-party tool is nearly impossible.
  • Integration with Active Directory is kludgy at best. Do NOT expect the integration to be smooth or the functionality robust.
  • We save money on web conferencing by using a few thousand Hangouts per month.
  • Google provides best-in-class spam filtering and eliminates the need for a separate (expensive) application to manage unwanted email.
We left Lotus Notes for the (more versatile) Google Apps. We could never recommend the closed architecture of Lotus Notes. We have evaluated Office 365 and believe the product is compelling. So compelling, that we may consider a platform change…
If your installation relies on Active Directory integration, you may want to consider the product from the company in Redmond, WA instead. In my opinion, this is Google Apps weakness.

Google App Engine Feature Ratings

Platform-as-a-Service
5.3
Scalability
10
Platform management overhead
3
Workflow engine capability
4
Platform access control
7
Services-enabled integration
8
Development environment creation
2
Development environment replication
2
Issue monitoring and notification
5
Issue recovery
5
Upgrades and platform fixes
7

Google App Engine Support

Google support is mostly offshore for the US. At times, this makes for language and communication issues.
ProsCons
Kept well informed
Immediate help available
Slow Resolution
Poor followup
Problems left unsolved
Need to explain problems multiple times
Slow Initial Response
Occasionally, you will get a sport specialist that really knows his stuff. This happens about 1 out of 5 times I call. The other four… well, sometimes I simply get off the call and call back to get someone else. It can be that bad.

Using Google App Engine

As soon as you navigate around in the Apps interface, you will see that it is easy to use. So easy, that new sysadmins can get fooled into thinking it is not powerful. Be careful what you click. A small checkbox can shut down your entire organization's email!
ProsCons
Like to use
Relatively simple
Easy to use
Technical support not required
Well integrated
Consistent
Quick to learn
Convenient
Feel confident using
Familiar
None
  • Adding Users
  • Modifying user profiles
  • ANYTHING in Calendar - third-party tool required.
  • Integrate with AD - very cumbersome
Yes, but I don't use it