As you are no doubt aware, I offer to install and set up both Google Apps and MyOffice.net:
Both offer Internet bbased email and file sharing facilities for work groups.
Both software options seem at first sight to offer remarkably similar functions, but is that really the case?
Actually each suite has distinct advantages for particular groups of users, and that’s where the differences lie – not so much in the packages themselves so much as the way that people use them on a day to day basis
It’s not about one particular set of utilites having more or less functionality than the other – it’s more to do with the way you work, either as an individual or a team. Personally I find Google Apps works well for me – I like the email interface and the ability to share documents and spreadsheets, rather than just email attachments – A Google Apps strong point!
But that’s just me, I work pretty much alone and the collaboration features are adequate for my needs.
If however you are working in a sales based environment, and need access to CRM style facilities, then MyOffice offers far more flexibility, sharing the contacts and the contact history is a valuable feature in that sort of environment.
In terms of cost – there’s no difference worth mentioning – Google apps is around $50 per annum per user and MyOffice works out at £52 per user – miniscule sums when compared to the big price tags associated with heavyweight CRM applications like the newer version of ACT and Salesforce.
No matter what system you plump for – you should be basing your decision around the way you work, rather than the shiny bells and whistles offered by various new packages. If a system doesn’t fit in with the way you work, it may not be universally adaopted – and that could mean a wasted software investment.
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