What is our primary use case?
We use Google Workspace for mail, calendaring, conference calls, collaboration on documents, and advanced features of the calendar similar to Calendly.
We utilize Google Sheets connected with BigQuery for large data analysis and work with documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and text files. We assign tasks and collaborate seamlessly across locations, enhancing productivity significantly.
How has it helped my organization?
Google Workspace has drastically improved our productivity and collaboration by allowing multiple users to work simultaneously on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations from different locations.
The communication features such as ongoing chat and video calls around documents, email suggestions for changes, dynamic email, and its integration with BigQuery are very beneficial. The ability to share real-time updates and collaborate instantly saves us hours compared to traditional software solutions.
What is most valuable?
The features of Google Workspace that significantly improve our work include real-time collaboration on documents, dynamic email for easy suggestions and approvals, integration with BigQuery for data analysis, seamless document sharing and storage in Google Drive, and advanced calendaring capabilities. These features streamline our workflow, enabling multiple users to work together efficiently and reduce the need to switch between multiple software applications.
What needs improvement?
One area of improvement for Google Workspace is the Google Meet functionality. Currently, users cannot upload files directly through Google Meet; instead, they have to share links via Google Drive, which adds unnecessary steps and complexity. This is especially frustrating when dealing with external users who do not have Google IDs. Another area requiring improvement is the chat/messaging feature, which is basic compared to other products like Slack. Having an integrated and efficient messaging system would be beneficial.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Google Workspace since 2017.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Google Workspace has proven to be highly stable, with no significant outages in years. Occasionally, there may be minor issues such as a five-minute delay in starting a meeting, but overall, the stability is excellent and very reliable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Google Workspace is highly scalable to accommodate an increasing number of users. It is capable of handling a large number of users seamlessly, with no issues encountered while adding new users in our company, ranging from ten users to two thousand users in other companies.
How are customer service and support?
I have rarely needed to contact customer service for Google Workspace, with only a few minor interactions by the office admin regarding password resets.
Overall, the need for customer service has been minimal due to the platform’s ease of use and reliability.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Before switching to Google Workspace, we used a combination of Microsoft Office, Microsoft Exchange for email and calendar, and Slack for messaging. The inability to collaborate effectively on documents and the lack of an integrated system led us to switch to Google Workspace.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup of Google Workspace is relatively easy, especially for users familiar with similar systems. Creating user lists, setting password policies, managing devices, and assigning licenses are straightforward tasks, though it may be challenging for beginners without technical knowledge.
What about the implementation team?
The implementation was handled internally, mostly by myself and our office manager. No extensive team was necessary as the setup process was very straightforward.
What was our ROI?
We have seen a significant return on investment in terms of productivity and organizational efficiency. The collaborative features alone save us enormous amounts of time that would otherwise be spent reconciling multiple versions of documents. This significantly enhances our workflow and overall productivity.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The pricing for Google Workspace is quite reasonable at around eight dollars per user per month for the mid-range package and fifteen dollars for the enterprise version. Despite the cost, the productivity and efficiency gains make it a valuable investment. However, there is a slight preference for a lower cost.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
I did not evaluate other options immediately before choosing Google Workspace. My work experience at Google influenced my decision as I had become accustomed to its seamless functionality and productivity features. After experiencing its benefits firsthand, I chose to continue using it in my subsequent roles.
What other advice do I have?
For new users, it is essential to thoroughly learn and utilize the collaboration features of Google Workspace. These features are what set it apart from other software solutions and significantly enhance productivity within a team. Do not treat it just like another online version of Microsoft Word; take full advantage of its collaborative tools.
I'd rate the solution eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Google
*Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
