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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.

BEGINNINGS sees a new day with Google Apps for Business

by Jane Foreman on March 27, 2012

The North Carolina non-profit discovers a new answer to better support their mission of helping deaf and hard of hearing children: Google Apps for Business.

BEGINNINGS for Parents of Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Inc., has provided emotional support and access to information as a central resource for families with deaf or hard of hearing children since 1987. The team of 15 professionals within the non-profit organization offers an impartial approach to meeting the diverse needs of these families and the professionals who serve them. However, their good work came to a sudden halt one day when their internal server unexpectedly crashed and left the entire organization in technological limbo.

CHALLENGE

The organization’s mission needed to remain focused on the needs of their clients and stakeholders and not on maintaining servers and software. When their internal server went down, they didn’t have the IT resources to fix it. This challenge presented an opportunity to move in another direction and to optimize their business infrastructure with fiscal prudence.

SOLUTION

BEGINNINGS entered into an agreement to begin using Google Apps for Business the same day their internal server crashed. They contacted Accent Plus who performed the migration as well as provided training and support. During the process, they also opted to shut
down their complicated VPN and remove the old server and related equipment. Now, the entire organization is using an enterprise-class, cloud computing solution.

RESULTS

Business operations have experienced zero interruption since shifting to Google Apps. In addition to email, the organization is enjoying the use of all the various tools available through the platform such as Docs, Calendar, Chat, and more to communicate and collaborate from multiple locations. The ease of use and reduction of costs coupled with the peace of mind of keeping information safe, secure, and running efficiently in the cloud has the company back on track and more focused than ever on the important work they do in the community.

At a glance

What did they need?

  • Reliable back-office operations and support
  • An affordable and easier way to approach business continuity
  • More time to focus on their mission instead of IT

What did they do?

  • Removed internal servers and migrated to Google Apps for Business with NeoNova
  • Shut down their complicated VPN and use of related equipment
  • Redefined the rules of collaboration with 15 professionals in two offices

What happened?

  • Cut overall IT operational costs
  • Increased focus on productivity through their overarching mission
  • Promoted enterprise-wide collaboration on one secure and reliable platform

Download the case study: AccentPlusCaseStudies-Beginnings

Google Apps for Business helps Vertex turn a corner

by Jane Foreman on March 27, 2012

The Colorado telecommunications company lowers costs and increases efficiency for its team of telecom consultants utilizing enterprise cloud services through Google Apps for Business.

Vertex Innovations, Inc. is focused on providing the telecommunications industry with a new standard in consulting. Vertex fills technical and HR needs in the fields of Wireless Services, RF Engineering, Transport Engineering, DAS Engineering, MSC, Datacenter, Central Office Construction Services, Network Integration Services, Granite/Xng Database Services and Cell Site Construction. Every day, the company’s highly-skilled employees manage networks and large-scale projects for carriers around the country. As the company grew to meet their clients’ needs, their internal IT needs required a significant upgrade in operations to meet the demand.

CHALLENGE
Vertex means a corner or a point where lines meet. The company as a whole had met a critical point operationally where their IT structure no longer met the needs of the expanding company, the clients they serve, or the industry they so passionately represent.

SOLUTION
Vertex has 45 users in multiple locations who desperately wanted to replace dated internal servers – essentially a complete turnaround in back-office operations. Instead of spending a bunch of money on individual technology licenses for software and maintenance, they wanted to deploy Google Apps for Business to replace Windows SBS and Exchange 2007.

RESULTS
The migration to Google Apps for Business was managed by Accent Plus through NeoNova who also provided additional training and support services. Vertex also converted their entire Exchange Message Store including additional PST archives. Prior to the migration, their users were on two separate domains (.net and .com). Those have now been consolidated into a single domain without losing any of their existing or inbound email. This move into Google Apps for Business allows Vertex to operate more efficiently and communicate more fluid as one company.

AT A GLANCE:
What did they need?
• Complete turnaround in IT operations
• Replacement of servers and related equipment
• Reduction in back-office maintenance costs

What did they do?
• Migrated to Google Apps for Business
• Migrated their entire Exchange message store
• Consolidated all operations into a single domain

What happened?
• Increased productivity, profitability, and efficiency
• Boosted the fluidity of communication and collaboration
• Saved money on technology licenses and operations

Download the Case Study:  AccentPlusCaseStudies-Vertex

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.

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