Google Workspace, formerly known as G Suite, is a powerful all-in-one business collaboration and communication platform. From business email to online file storage, shared calendars, chat, spaces and video conferencing tools, in this material we will teach you how to get started and make the most out of Google Workspace licences.
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What’s included into Google Workspace?
Google Workspace is, essentially, a platform for teams wanting to set up their business email while also having access to all the productivity Google tools. You definitely heard of Gmail before, but let’s learn all about the variety of applications included in the Workspace environment.
- Apps to connect with colleagues, customers, and suppliers: Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Chat, Google Meet
- Apps to create projects: Google Docs, Google Slides, Google Sheets, Google Forms, Google Keep, Google Sites, Jamboard
- Apps to store and access files: Google Drive, Google Cloud search
- Apps to control and manage users: Admin, Vault, Endpoint, Work Insights
What do you need to access Google Workspace?
If you want to know how to use Google Workspace, learn that you primarily only need a modern web browser. For the majority of cases, Workspace applications are used by organisations directly on the Google Chrome browser. When you sign in to your Workspace account with Chrome, you will not only have access to Workspace apps, but also to some Chrome-exclusive features. For example, you will be able to configure some of these apps to sync locally for offline work.
One other benefit of these productivity apps is that they are available on mobile devices and tablets (iOS or Android), as well as Windows, Mac, or Linux computers. Therefore, your team can access every single document even when working remotely or on the go.
Here are the several Workspace applications that you can access on mobile devices: Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, Chat and Keep.
If needed, you can also purchase hardware and items that sync up with Google Workspace, such as Chromebooks, Google Meet hardware or Jamboard devices. Chromebooks, like other Chrome OS devices, allow you and your team to single sign on with your Workspace account and fully access all your applications and files. Keep in mind that these devices can be connected to your organisation’s Workspace account and configured by a Workspace administrator.
What editions of Google Workspace are available?
For businesses, Google Workspace has three Business editions and several Enterprise editions. Let’s see how much is Google Workspace costing for these plans dedicated to companies that need up to 300 seats or more:
- Google Workspace Business Starter 4.14£ net per month per user – each user in this plan has 30 GB of storage and can host video conferences for up to 100 users.
- Google Workspace Business Standard 8.28£ net per month per user – this plan expands storage to 2 TB and Google Meet participants limits to 150.
- Google Workspace Business Plus 13.8£ net per month per user – an account has 5 TB of storage, and 500 people can attend video calls. Admins gain access to advanced mobile device management options and Google Vault.
You can also opt for one the two Enterprise editions, dedicated to companies with over three hundred employees. These plans (Standard and Plus) grant the most advanced security configurations and unlimited storage space (by default, set to 5 TB, but a company can expand storage to fit the employees’ needs at no additional costs).
Can you migrate to Google Workspace if you previously used another office suite?
Yes, you can. If you previously worked with Microsoft Office file formats, your Google Workspace migration will be unchallenging. Google Drive actually supports many types of files, including the Office .doc/.docx, .xls/.xlsx or .ppt/.pptx. Therefore, you will be able to not only open but edit onwards your documents on Google Docs, Sheets or Slides.
What third party apps work with Google Workspace?
If you feel the need for any additional apps besides Workspace, the Google Workspace Marketplace should be your first stop. In this directory of third party apps maintained by Google you will find apps with Google API-s or designed with Google Apps Script.
Need more productivity apps, digital signature services or backup providers? You can find many such apps in this Marketplace library. With Workspace, you can also connect to third-party apps with Single Sign-On and Security Assertion Markup Language. By doing this, people in your organisation can sign in to their Workspace accounts and access third-party web apps without requiring additional authentication.
Additional Google Workspace training and guidance with a Google Partner
Google Cloud has a global network of partner companies that provide office and software solutions to clients. One of the Google Cloud partners in the UK and CEE markets is FOTC – a company that specialises only in Google’s technology and offers comprehensive support, training, and configuration guidance. Plus, if you decide to implement Google Workspace with FOTC, you can get a trial period extended from 14 to 30 days and long-term discounts that are not offered otherwise not even by Google.
