Tag Archives: Dito
Understanding the Benefits of Google Apps for Business
Posted on 27. Mar, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 
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More often lately we have been discussing the impact of Google in the enterprise market. It’s all for good reason: with the launch of the Apps Marketplace Google’s software suite for business rivals that of the competition that is out there. Not to mention it is allowing companies of all sizes to get up and running for a per user license fee, with varying cost structure for add-ons that can be implemented though the Apps Marketplace.
For those of us who haven’t switched to Google Apps for business, this may all seem overwhelming. That’s why we took the opportunity to talk to Jim McNelis, a Google Apps “subject matter expert” and CEO of Dito LLC which works with companies to implement a Google solution for their businesses. Dito is also one of the initial Apps Marketplace partners.
Thanks for taking the time to do this Jim. So, how is business since the arrival of the App Marketplace?
Businesses are waking up to the fact that the old way of managing email is dead. Email no longer requires vertical integration; instead businesses can leverage the power of Google’s Cloud to increase workforce productivity while decreasing CapEx and Operating Expenses. The introduction of the Google Apps Marketplace will prove to be a key differentiator as customers evaluate competing messaging and collaboration platforms.
The SaaS delivery method has certain inherent advantages, not the least of which is rapid development and delivery of solutions to market. Ultimately, businesses and end-users will benefit from the continuous innovation cycle — developers responding to customer needs — enabled by the Google Apps Marketplace. In fact, it was that exact innovation cycle that spurred Dito Directory for Google Apps: We received a few dozen requests from prospective and existing clients for a better Domain Shared Contacts management for Google Apps.
Tell us a little bit more about what Dito does.
Dito provides Google Apps Solutions — Deployment, Training, Support, & Development — to organizations seeking to leverage of Google’s disruptive cloud technology. Our entire approach begins with listening and responding to our customers’ needs. Whether a client needs the proverbial “boost” to migrate up into the Google Apps cloud or expertise to further integrate Google Apps within their workflow, Dito has the expertise customers need to quickly leverage the technology within their organization.
What are the types of companies you’re working with that have an interest in your services?
We serve a very eclectic sample of customers: from a 3-user Real Estate Investment Firm, ~200 user Home Improvement publication, to a government organization finding ways to stretch their budget during these difficult economic times.
What are some ways for companies to test or try out Google Apps for their business?
A 2-4 week pilot of Google Apps, alongside their current email solution, isn’t uncommon. Some companies have already decided that Google Apps is a good fit before contacting Dito…maybe they have been Gmail users for years and just found out that Google Apps is here for their business.
Can you talk about how administration works on this platform and what IT folks in an organization need to do on the back end?
Administration of Google Apps is fairly straight-forward for most common tasks. There are more and more advanced configuration and integration points that require additional knowledge, but Google does a pretty good (job) of documenting these features. With that said, Dito provides solutions for these advanced configuration and integration points. It’s kinda what we do.
What kind of impact will Google Apps Marketplace have on developers as opposed to other application stores that exist?
It’s still pretty early since the launch of the Google Apps Marketplace, but we have already had hundreds of admins install Dito Directory via the marketplace. We are very encouraged by the prospect of this new app marketplace. We have already installed several apps off the marketplace for use in our everyday processes that integrate really well with Google Apps.
Google has a hit on their hands with the new Apps Marketplace. They are allowing 3rd parties to address the users’ needs directly. Google simply cannot develop the multitude of apps that Google Apps users demand. The marketplace serves the customer’s needs, which is why it will end up being a big hit with users and developers.
One concern that many have about using Google Docs for business is compatibility with other solutions such as Microsoft.
With 3rd party apps like OffiSync, the ability to upload any document into Google Docs up to 1gb, and Google’s recent acquisition of DocVerse, those computability issues are becoming a thing of the past.
Is there anything you can tell us that you feel would help make Chrome OS for the enterprise successful?
I think the main factors to Chrome OS’s success are security, reliability, & affordability. This assumes the OS is tightly integrated with Google Apps.
On the subject of the App Marketplace, could you talk a little bit about the Dito Directory app?
Dito Directory was recently featured on the Google Apps Developers Blog: Google Apps Developer Blog.
Dito Directory Value Prop:
As a Google Apps user, have you ever noticed Domain Shared Contacts isn’t quite ‘up to snuff’? Trust us, you are not alone in your observation. Dito Directory for Google Apps fills the gaps in Domain Shared Contacts management by seamlessly integrating the following features:
-Bulk Upload large numbers of Domain Shared Contacts via Google Docs
-Browse the entire Domain Shared Contacts Directory for your domain
-Add/Edit/Delete Domain Shared Contacts
-Copy Domain Shared Contact to Personal Contacts
-Instantly add Contacts on your mobile device via Google Sync for your phone
-Edit User Profiles
You can install the Lite version here and upgrade to the Pro version ($99/domain/year) via Google Checkout to take advantage of the advanced features (e.g. Bulk Upload, Manage 50+ Contacts, and Copy to Personal Contacts). Once installed, Dito Directory will appear in the ‘more’ category of the universal navigation bar located in the upper-left corner of the Google Apps interface.
Please note that Dito Directory requires Education or Premier version since we integrate with the Google API’s.
Are there any other apps that you have in the pipeline?
None we can discuss at this time…but we are working on some exciting stuff. In the near-term, expect to see regular updates to Dito Directory. Our first update will come as early as next week, which adds the ability to manage Group Email addresses, and add those email addresses to the shared contacts list.
Google Business OS? Sounds Profitable
Posted on 08. Mar, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 1 Comments
It was reported late last week in a blurb that Google security Engineer Will Drewry had some pretty good dirt to dish about Chrome OS and its plan for the business market with a business machine due in 2011. Up until this time, there wasn’t much being said regarding Google’s plans for enterprise other than the fact that Docs is available and there are companies actively integrating it into offices around the world. But at the World Mobile Congress last week CEO Eric Schmidt was asked during his presentation what the future revenue growth areas for the company were going to be.
Without hesitation, he said the enterprise market.
For the time being, Google is only making a slow amount of headway in providing software solutions for businesses. But the early adopters that have made the switch from Microsoft’s Office over to Google Apps are seeing benefits. Google has been amenable to companies about making changes to the software, often times even on the fly. And at $50 per user, even a larger organization like Genentech has decided to make the switch. Even the popular Linux operating system, Ubuntu, comes with Google Apps as standard instead of OpenOffice.
But Google for the enterprise market is still an early adoption technology. It has the potential to take off but expect to see companies that like to take risks to get involved first. Also, small and mid-size companies would be able to see a switch have a more immediate impact over conglomerates.
Integration companies that consult with businesses on technology such as Google Apps find that a Chrome OS for business would prove to be a solid IT decisions. Jim McNelis, CEO of Dito LLC, which provides Google business solutions and migrations from Microsoft and Lotus products was upbeat when asked about an operating system that is specific for corporate use.
“I think it’s great. Chrome OS will increase the adoption of Google Apps across the board by providing a robust platform built for Google’s web applications”, said McNelis. He also expects an offline solution for situations where network connectivity is absent. “Presumably, there will be native Google Apps and complete offline sync, not to mention other tight integrations yet unseen.”
Native Google Apps? I’m getting the sense that much like Microsoft’s mutli-tiered operating system solutions (Windows Starter, Professional, etc) Google will have different flavors of Chrome OS that all could possibly have different hardware specifications. The reason I think this is that a netbook for surfing a web that is ever more interactive has different technical requirements than a tablet or a managed thin client strictly for business use.
Regardless of strategy, Google knows that captivating the corporate market is going to prove profitable. Many business users simply do not have a need for Windows, and administrators pretty much always have to lock down features on the system in order to keep the computing environment from becoming compromised.
Instead of fitting a square peg in a round hole Chrome OS can step in, be compliant with security policies and ready to deploy, most likely at a competitive price when comparing other enterprise options.
And just like the popular app markets for mobile phones, the most profitable applications will be developed for the business user. Why? Because in business, if an app is useful there is a profit incentive to pay good money for it. If it help peoples be more productive or effective on the job there are big bucks that will be paid out by companies.
You can take a look at Techrepublic’s top 10 business apps for the mobile market right here to get an idea what types are popular and how much they go for.
