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Doug's Mailbag: Paying for the Apps

Readers share their thoughts and one sets Doug straight on the news that Google Apps will be charging for small businesses:

"You will want to correct your bait-and-switch story.

Existing Google Apps domains will allow 10+ for free. It's only new signups that are limited to 10 for the free version.

As such, I don't see any bait and switch here."
-Jay

"I don't think $50 per year for 10 users is at all high for a company of 10+ users. If it's a commercial company, it HAS TO be grossing in $500,000 annually to support a staff of 10.

At five days a week, that's two cents per user, per day.

(Full disclosure:Mmy small company would get Google Apps for free.)

To me, Google's cloud apps issues are usability, reverse compatibility, access, document/graphic fidelity and clarity of directions for computer lightweights.

Let them spend my two cents a day improving those things."
-Jon

"I was interested in your comment about Google Apps pricing and especially in the low threshold for requiring payment.

Google's monthly charge might be $1.00 or so cheaper than Office365, but Google Apps don't include the equivalent of SharePoint 2010 and its Enterprise edition features: Excel Services and Access Services. I'm certain that Exchange Online has features that Gmail can't match, although I haven't thoroughly tested it."
-Roger

Share your thoughts with the editors of this newsletter! Write to [email protected]. Letters printed in this newsletter may be edited for length and clarity, and will be credited by first name only (we do NOT print last names or e-mail addresses).

Posted by Doug Barney on 05/02/2011 at 1:18 PM


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