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Van Murray

Google Drive

by Van Murray on April 24, 2012

Google Drive launched today for Google Apps for Business. Google Drive is a new service that allows you to map a “drive” to your computer allowing you to store files in the cloud. Replace your existing file server or enhance your current experience with Google Docs.

If you are an existing Google Apps for Business customer and have any questions regarding this new service or need help migrating, please contact us.

Access your files anywhere

Google Drive on your Mac, PC or mobile device (or your browser) gives you a single place for up-to-date versions of your files from anywhere. In addition to any file type you choose to upload, Google Docs are also stored in Google Drive.

Open and view any file

View over 30 file types right in your browser, including images, HD videos, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop files, even if your device doesn’t run the file’s original software. Save files from Smartsheet, DocuSign, or SlideRocket and other web apps directly to Google Drive, and launch those apps by opening these file types from your Drive.

Designed for security

Google Drive is designed for security and reliability with features like two-step authentication, encrypted connections to Google’s servers, simultaneous replicated storage for your documents, built-in disaster recovery and fine-grained sharing controls that let you share your work with the right people.

Buy what you need & grow flexibly

Start with 5 GB of included storage for each of your users. Need more? For as little as $4/month for 20 GB, administrators can centrally purchase and manage up to 16TB (Yes, that’s 16,000 GB!) of additional storage for each user.

Accent Plus, Inc. Becomes A Google Apps Premier SMB Reseller

by Van Murray on April 16, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 16, 2012 — Accent Plus, Inc. announced today that it has become a Premier SMB Reseller of the Google Apps™ suite of communication and collaboration tools.  This new designation from Google enables customers to more easily assess a reseller’s expertise advising on and deploying Google products.  Accent Plus, Inc. has moved from an Authorized to a Premier Reseller based on their expertise and success in helping customers deploy and use Google Apps.

“The Google Apps Reseller program has been a critical component of our business,” said Van Murray, Accent Plus, Inc.  ”We’re pleased to be recognized as a Premier Reseller, and we look forward to continuing our work helping SMB customers take advantage of Google Apps.”

Google Apps brings simple, powerful communication and collaboration tools to organizations of any size – all hosted by Google to streamline setup, minimize maintenance, and reduce IT costs.  With Gmail (including Google email security, powered by Postini), Google Calendar, and integrated IM, users can stay connected and work together with ease. And, using Google Docs and Google Sites, which include word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and website creation tools, they can share files and collaborate in real-time, keeping versions organized and available wherever and whenever users work.

The Google Apps Reseller program includes companies globally that sell, service and customize Google Apps for Business for their customers. As a part of the Apps Reseller program, Accent Plus, Inc. receives training, support and deployment tools from Google, as well as access to APIs for integrating Google Apps into their customers’ business operations.  To learn more about becoming a Premier Reseller, including eligibility criteria and benefits, please visit the Google Reseller Program website: http://www.google.com/enterprise/resellers.

For more information on Accent Plus, Inc. please visit http://accentplus.com.

Accent Plus, Inc is a leading Google Apps Authorized Reseller, helping clients worldwide achieve incredible savings by switching from legacy server solutions to cloud computing solutions. Accent Plus guides clients through the process of switching, making the transition to the cloud as pain-free and seamless as possible. We encourage you to call us at 877-858-7587 or email us at sales@accentplus.com to discuss how you can make your business more efficient with Google Apps.

Google, Google Apps, Gmail, Google Talk, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Google Sites and Google Video are trademarks of Google Inc.

Updated Privacy Policy and Google Apps for Business

by Van Murray on February 14, 2012

Google has announced that they are getting rid of over 60 different privacy policies and replacing them with one that’s a lot shorter and easier to read. The new policy covers multiple products and features, reflecting Google’s desire to create one simple and intuitive experience for users across Google products. This new policy goes into effect March 1, 2012.

What does this mean as a current Google Apps for Business customer? Quite simply, not much. Google Apps for Business (Google Apps for Government or Google Apps for Education) customers have individual contracts. The new privacy policy does not change contractual agreements which have always superseded Google’s Privacy Policy.

Google has created this FAQ to address questions regarding security and privacy for Google Apps customers.

 

New Look for Gmail, Calendar, Docs, and Sites

by Van Murray on December 7, 2011

As you’ve probably seen when using Google Apps, Google is rolling out a new look and feel across Google products to make the interfaces consistent, streamlined, and easier to use.

The New Look for Gmail, Calendar, Docs, and Sites

The new look is optional now, but will soon become permanent for all Google Apps users. These are target release dates and subject to change (see the New Look site for details):

App   When the new look become permanent
Docs  Tuesday December 13, 2011
Sites  Tuesday December 13, 2011
Calendar   Beginning of January 2012
Gmail  The new looks starts to roll out as the default interface on
Tuesday, December 13, and continues to the end of the week.
After that, the new look will become permanent within weeks.

 

Steps to help you and your users transition to the new look:

  • Use the new look now
    See the Google Apps New Look site. You’ll find steps to enable the new look as well as the latest release schedule.
  • Communicate to your users and helpdesk staff
    On the New Look site, you’ll find email templates and customizable presentations to help communicate the changes.

Tip: For Gmail, use the one-time switch in the control panel to opt-in all your users, and control the timing of when they see the new look.

  • Help your users get up to speed
    Point your users to the Learning Center for guides, tips, and videos. Please plan to update any custom training material you’ve developed.

Please see the New Look site for the latest schedule information. We hope you find the refreshed interfaces easier to use and navigate.

Top Reasons For Businesses to Go to the Cloud

by Van Murray on October 4, 2011

The transition from standard business interface to cloud computing is becoming the IT function of choice for companies, each of which has been convinced by the cloud’s flexibility and efficiency. Here are reasons why your company should consider using Google Apps and cloud computing:

Simplicity

When your business operates in the cloud, there are many internal business functions that are no longer necessary, like an in-house IT team or maintenance to an internal server. This streamlines your company’s processes and communications and saves you money.

Security

There is nothing more terrifying than realizing your server has crashed or email has shut down. With cloud computing, that fear diminishes. Documents, emails and data are automatically saved every few seconds to ensure that they are never lost. These copies are stored in several data centers, keeping them safe and secure. Even if one data center is compromised, the cloud is able to seamlessly transition to another center without interrupting your work or business. There is also a two-step verification process for each user, ensuring that information is only accessible by the right persons.

Availability

The cloud is everywhere. Using cloud computing allows collaboration and telecommuting to take place easily. Multiple people using multiple computers in multiple locations can participate in file sharing. This flexibility allows workflow to continue whether you’re sitting next to each other or the other side of the world. In 2010, Google Apps achieved 99.984 percent uptime.

Accent Plus is committed to making cloud computing work for your business. Let us discuss with you how to harness the cloud for the benefit and growth of your business.

The Advantages of Cloud Computing for Email

by Van Murray on October 3, 2011

Business application software has been undergoing a decade of change, from its architecture, development and deployment to its business model.

Cloud computing and “software as a service” (SaaS) offers dramatic gains in the way your company operates, its efficiency, lowering costs on IT and labor.

Business practices are streamlined by storing all information on one platform, accessible from anywhere. Information and resources are shared across this network and distributed to computers, phones, tablet devices – any technology your company employs for business use.

You would no longer have to worry about losing access to a server, server downtime or misplacing a file. Once it’s in the cloud, it is easy to find and easy to access.

A recent Google study reported that running a cloud-based email platform is more energy-efficient than employing an in-house email system. The study found that using Gmail for a year consumes less energy than it would to send a message in a wine bottle (including drinking the bottle of wine).

Understanding the way cloud computing works doesn’t have to be difficult, and there are myriad ways to make the cloud work for your business.

Accent Plus is here to make your cloud needs a reality. From apps to email networks, Accent Plus can use to cloud to make your business and your life function more easily, and how much more can you really ask?

The New Look of Google Apps

by Van Murray on October 2, 2011

Over the next few months, Google products and experiences will get a facelift. It’s simple: These changes will give users a more focused, seamless and consistent online experience. Here are the three areas Google is improving.

Focus

With streamlined interfaces, Google will offer user-friendly apps and thoughtful design. Your focus, whether it’s checking your email, searching a product or finding a restaurant, will become Google’s focus. The design will be more intuitive, allowing users to quickly and effectively use the apps.

Elasticity

Consider all the ways that we access the Internet. From desktops to laptops, tablets to smartphones, there is no shortage of ways to use the Web. Google is committed to providing users a great experience across all platforms. Users will be able to access an app on their big screen television or their tablet without sacrificing design aesthetics or functionality.

Ease of Use

Google doesn’t need bells and whistles. Their apps and products speak for themselves. For that reason, the third design principle that Google is focused on is effortlessness. Designs will be clean and simple and will incorporate new technologies such as HTML5 and WebGL. More power and less distractions make for great products.

Interested in using the new Google design and experience for your business? Accent Plus can help you harness the power of Google apps in a way that works for you.

Security and Data Protection in a Google Data Center

by Van Murray on July 16, 2011

For more information on how cloud computing can make your business more effective, efficient and secure please contact Accent Plus.

Cloud Computing: Greener Solutions for Business Needs

by Van Murray on July 16, 2011

As cloud computing continues to gain scale and popularity, the positive environmental impact of utilizing cloud-based servers is becoming apparent.

Google recently announced plans to open a seawater-cooled data center.  Traditionally, server warehouses have been cooled by air conditioning, which use incredible amounts of energy to both power the servers and keep them cool enough to stay operational.  Google hopes to use tunnels to push cold seawater into the building, keeping their machines cooler with less energy.  The water will be returned to sea temperature before being released back into the ocean in order to minimize environmental impact.

Data centers are just like energy sources; their effectiveness and efficiency grows with scale.  Many businesses that use in-house servers waste energy by not making the switch to the cloud, as they have to spend money and energy keeping these servers cool.  Data centers realize economies of scale by using the same amount of energy to cool more computing power.

Environmental initiatives are becoming more and more important to consumers.  If your business is serious about going green, you may want to consider an eco-friendly switch to cloud computing.

Google Docs Android App

by Van Murray on July 16, 2011

Google Business Solutions just got even more versatile with the addition of an official Google Docs Android app.  Now you can create, edit, and share documents on the go straight from your Android smartphone.  The Android app takes advantage of all of the features of the web-based software, allowing fellow collaborators to see edits to documents instantly across platforms.

Additionally, the app can be used to view regular documents and PDFs.  Should you need to edit such a document on the go, any traditional document (such as a Word doc) can be converted to a Google Doc in seconds, where you can then edit instantly from your phone or later from a computer.  The app even allows the capability to take a picture of printed text and convert it into an editable Google Doc.

Finally, the Google Docs app is designed for real-time collaboration.  Any doc can be shared with any number in your contact list, making it easier than ever to collaborate and communicate with family, coworkers, and friends.

Google Apps for Business has never been more versatile, and Accent Plus is proud to offer these solutions.  For more information on how your business can use Google Apps to become more efficient and effective, please contact Accent Plus.

Read more about the Android Google Docs app here.

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