Google Docs...The Doc of All Trades?

Cloud Computing

Google has been pushing their cloud computing software as a service for some time now with their software suite called Google Docs. What would compel someone to use their services? The cost. It is a free application. It does not get any cheaper than that. There are many advantages to Google Docs as well. The documents are stored on Google's servers and they accept most formats; including Microsoft's Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files. You can invite "collaborators" who can view and edit your document in real time and the changes are reflected immediately. This is a great feature and time saver as our database management team used Google Docs to collaborate on our project from different locations. Having the documents stored on their servers means you have access as long as you are connected to the interwebs (and assuming their network is up and running). I must say the interwebs are most interesting!

http://www.google.com/google-d-s/tour1.html

Another major competitor is Zoho. Zoho also offers a set of online applications that are accessed from their website. They too, cover the gambit of Microsoft's offerings. Do we see a common denominator here? Zoho is also free, though they do have paid services for higher tiered applications for organizations. Zoho seems to have a more extensive collection of applications; of which include web conferencing, a database application, and online invoicing to name a few.

http://www.zoho.com/

The common denominator here is Microsoft and its software suite. I think it is safe to say Microsoft has a strong foothold on the word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation market. So when Google and Zoho came along and offered free and comparable products, people would naturally gravitate towards the new offerings. More users using Google Docs and Zoho meant less users using Microsoft Office. Now they can't let THAT happen can they? Their answer, Microsoft Web Applications 2010. This has just entered testing and has not been released to the public yet. Rumors have it that this would be a free service. How could they charge when their competitors are just giving it away. What they will try to accomplish is to provide the same consistent look and feel of the application that their users are already accustomed to across all channels; this includes the desktop software, the online web application, and through mobile sites on smartphones. Let me state this, Google Docs and Zoho both can be viewed through the mobile web. I tried the Google Docs through my iPhone and I don't understand why anyone would want to, unless their phone was the only available connection to the web they had. Editing a spreadsheet is a mind numbingly cumbersome activity.

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2009/jul09/07-13Office2010WPCPR.mspx?rss_fdn=Press%20Releases

So it seems that all 3 competitors are on equal playing grounds. Google has the brand recognition behind it, Zoho has an extensive software suite, and Microsoft has a user base that spans corporations and countries. I believe it will come down to ease of use. Simple as that. How easy can they make it so we can what we need to get done quicker and easier? A simple and intuitive interface with a quick learning curve. I will hold my judgement until Microsoft's Web Applications goes live.