What is Google Workspace?
In October 2020, Google replaced the well-known G Suite, with the brand-new collaboration solutions Google Workspace. Google Workspace is a SaaS product that includes all cloud-based productivity and collaboration tools developed by Google, such as Gmail, Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Calendar, and Drive.
The move from G Suite to Google Workspace is not a simple rebranding. Google recognised that employees typically switch between 35 different applications approximately 1,100 times throughout the workday. Due to that, Google Workspace is built to save time and boost productivity by introducing a new unified interface of apps instead of delivering them separately like G Suite.
The movement from office-based to remote working was one of the factors influencing the design of Google Workspace. The platform incorporates many of the apps and features that were available via G Suite, whilst offering further benefits for remote collaboration. Interactions that used to take place face-to-face are now digitalised. Google Workspace provides unique solutions for these new challenges, by helping co-workers communicate, collaborate on documents, and work together smoothly and cohesively no matter where they are based. All in all, Google has streamlined collaboration.
With the move from G Suite to Google Workspace comes a brand-new identity to mirror how the Google applications have been processed since they were launched around ten years ago. Instead of being separate products that are used for separate things, they are now all integrated and perform best when used together. This is very well reflected by the new branding, in which the four-colour icons are used across all apps.
What Features Does Google Workspace Offer?
1. Create and collaborate on a document with guests in a chat room. This makes it easier than ever to share and work on content with people outside of your business.
2. Consolidate organisation by, for example, setting up neighbourhood groups, managing a family budget, or planning a celebration using integrated tools such as Gmail, Chat, Meet, Docs, and Tasks.
3. Ability to preview links in docs, sheets, and slides, without having to open a new tab or leaving the original document. This leads to less time spent switching between apps and boosting productivity.
4. When you mention someone in your document using the @ symbol, it will display a smart clip showing their contact details, providing context, and suggesting actions, such as adding someone to your contact list or starting a video call (for internal and external contacts).
5. You can hear and see people while you are collaborating with them via Gmail, Chat, Docs, Sheets, as well as Slides with Meet picture-in-picture. Instead of only just seeing the slide that is being presented, you are now also able to see the person presenting, this leads to an addition to non-verbal communication which is a big addition to remote collaboration.
If you are interested in finding out more about Google Workspace and how it can enhance your business or you are looking to take on an IT provider, contact us here. We currently offer a free IT consultation, so don’t forget to fill out our IT Workplace Assessment, so we can come back to you with our recommendations.