October 3rd, 2007 — web applications
ZOHO introduced a new web-based database program today. If you thought an online application couldn’t do pivot tables and sql web queries, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with this addition to the product line.
Here is an eleven minute video showcasing the features of the new offering.
October 1st, 2007 — web applications
Steve Sherlock linked to this great video showing the power of web-based applications in collaboration. I mentioned this aspect of online applications in the ongoing series on online applications. The video gives good visual evidence, showing how Google Docs can be used in a real world setting.
September 24th, 2007 — web applications
In the last article, I promised a chart to show how the web-based application of Google and Zoho lined up with Microsoft’s offerings. This will help in determining whether your company’s technology strategy might benefit from web-based products.
| Microsoft | Zoho | |
| Word | Docs | Writer |
| Excel | Docs | Sheet |
| Outlook | Gmail/Calendar | Mail/Planner |
| Publisher | Page Creator | |
| PowerPoint | Presentations | Show |
| Access | Creator | |
| OneNote | Notebook | Notebook |
| Search | Search | |
| Chat | Chat | Chat |
| Desktop | ||
| Picasa | ||
| Blogger | ||
| Groups | ||
| Web Alerts | ||
| Reader (RSS) | ||
| Maps | Maps | |
| Meeting | ||
| Projects | ||
| CRM | ||
| Wiki | ||
| Polls |
As you can see, the basics are covered, with extras from Google and Zoho. In fairness to Microsoft, they are adding new web-based applications as part of their Live website, but the purpose of this series is to determine if expensive desktop software can be replaced by free or in-expensive web-applications.
You will notice that each application doesn’t have a perfect match across the board, but in most cases, there is a program that is related in functions. Some of the distinctions between the programs are covered in previous articles in the series, but I’ll take a closer look at the main applications that are shared between all the contenders.
Specifically, I will continue the series with a look at real-life use of the word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and mail/calendar programs. Do these programs translate into everyday use, or are they just not adequate?
There are many other web-based applications in daily use by thousands of people. This list of Microsoft, Google, and Zoho products is just the tip of the iceberg. Hundreds of applications reside on the web, and in the coming months, I will write about them, too.
This Web-Based Application series serves one purpose—to whet your appetite to the possibilities—to begin the discussion of what can be done with programming code and a little secret sauce.
Technorati Tags: Google, Zoho, Microsoft
September 7th, 2007 — web applications
Most people are familiar with Google’s Gmail application. It is lightweight, easy to use, and accessible from any computer with an Internet connection. It has redefined the word webmail for those of us using it daily. Some reasons: Conversation mode, search, and labels are a few of the tools that make it the killer web-application for most businesses.
Gmail might be the application that launched Google into the web software business, but is certainly wasn’t the last. With more than a baker’s dozen of applications, Google has jumped into this market completely. A few applications overlap with the Zoho list from yesterday, but others are solely Google’s.
Here is the list for Google.
The more you look at the features of this new breed of online software applications, the more you see the value. They are very robust and combined with other packages, make up a comprehensive collection of business software. The best part … the cost. All of these Google applications are free to use, even for a company.
I use many of these daily, and find them more than adequate for business use. The newest application I use is Google Alerts. I have set up searches for my name, company, and product lines. Google scours the Internet, gathers every instance of matching criteria and sends me an email with links and brief descriptions of the articles. This keeps me in touch with what is said about me or the company, allowing me to respond or ignore at my discretion.
Are you starting to feel overwhelmed with the choices out there, just waiting for your company to try? First, determine what company processes can benefit from the advantages of online software. Second, run a limited, controlled test with the application to make sure it is capable of doing the job. Third, put together an implementation plan for bringing the application to the rest of the employees.
Next, I’ll show you how the products from Zoho and Google map to your current products. It will give you a better picture of which applications you want to look at first.
Technorati Tags: web-based applications, Google
September 6th, 2007 — web applications
Last week, I began a series on web-based applications for businesses, focusing on Google and Zoho. In today’s article I focus on the Zoho product line, showing the diversity of their applications. Next up, I’ll take a closer look at the applications available from Google.
Last night, I received an email from Zoho announcing their new product lineup being announced at the Office 2.0 conference today.
They are announcing the next evolution in their web-based office suite—Zoho Business and Zoho Personal. Below is the news release giving details on the differences between the two products.
Currently, Zoho has a broad set of applications for individuals and business users and today we are categorizing them and defining our business model. To start with, Zoho Applications will be categorized into two - Zoho Personal & Zoho Business.
Zoho Personal is what we offer today for individuals. As we said previously, our applications will continue to remain free for individuals.
Zoho Business (ZB) is the new category we are launching and it is aimed at small & mid-sized businesses. ZB will be available in two versions - Free & Pro. Below are some of the highlights of Zoho Business.
- Company level Admin Console
- Domain Management (for pointing your domains to Zoho Apps)
- Centralized User and Group Management
- Single Sign-on across several Zoho Apps
- Zoho Apps include Writer, Sheet, Show, Wiki, Notebook, Email, Cal, Tasks, Planner, Viewer, Chat etc.
- Customization Options
- Multiple levels of Security including SSL
- Remote Backup
- Telephone Support and more.
Zoho Business is currently in private beta with a planned public beta launch in October, 2007. Pricing is yet to be determined for the Pro version, but if it’s anything like their prices before, I’m sure it will be reasonable. As you can see, they are going after the small to mid-size business customer, moving them directly into the path of Microsoft.
September 6th, 2007 — web applications
Today, a closer at the web applications available from Zoho. As you can see from the list below, they offer an easy dozen products today with several more in the pipeline.
If you are a candidate for web-based applications, Zoho is one of the products suites you will want to test. I have personally used Writer, Sheet, CRM, Meeting, and Notebook and find they have more features than I need, with familiar interfaces.
Look at the online applications available from Zoho today.
Business web applications need to meet particular criteria.
My experience using these applications from Zoho, show these products are easy-to-use, reliable, and responsive. I’ve never needed customer support, so I can’t speak to that, except as a beta tester.
I was part of the beta testing for Meeting. In testing, I found several issues that needed addressing and my emails were always answered promptly with the information I needed. Web calls and chat sessions were available at that time, also. Bottom line, they wanted their product to work properly when opened for public consumption.
If you aren’t using these products to save money and improve your company’s productivity, thus adding dollars to the bottom line, you may be missing the latest wave from technology.
I encourage you to open up to a new way of thinking about your computers, software, and servers.
I can hear you now, “I just don’t buy into this whole Web 2.0 thing. I don’t trust these companies to be in business very long.” Those are fair comments, and if you’ll stick around for a few more articles in the series, I’ll get to that, also.
Next, Google and their Ready-for-Business applications.
Technorati Tags: Zoho, web-based applications
August 31st, 2007 — web applications
Now that you are interested web-based applications, your first questions are, “What is available? Can I really replace the software I’m using now for little or now cost?”
Today, a look at the types of software that are available on the web. The breadth of offerings is enormous.
All these products are available using only two companies—Google and Zoho. There are other web-based application companies that expand and compete with these products, but this gives you a flavor for what is there. Not all the products listed are free, but most are, and the ones with a cost are reasonably priced.
Chances are, you don’t need everything from the list above, but once an analysis is complete, you can determine which web applications you can use.
Next I want to highlight the offerings of Zoho, then afterward, Google. Let’s look for specific products as replacements for your current software to see what’s possible.
Technorati Tags: web-based applications, Google, Zoho
August 30th, 2007 — web applications
This series looks at the availability and the usability of web-based applications that are becoming more of an option for small business every day.
In the previous article, I asked some questions about applications, and in this article we’ll start by examining some basics.
Let’s start with whether web-based software is right for your small business.
What software are you currently using?
Did you conduct a needs-based analysis before you bought business software? Most businesses don’t. The relationship usually begins with either pre-installed software or a recommendation from a salesman. Those early beginnings blossom into a full-fledged relationship with money exchanging hands. Then the upgrade cycle takes over, and now and forever, you belong to Microsoft.
Most employees use only the most basic features of their software products—features like bold, italics, or underline. They will manipulate font sizes, columns, tables and occasionally move text around. Very few use themes, styles, or macros.
In spreadsheets, sums, averages, and small flat-file databases (like address and telephone numbers) are the most common uses. Again, most don’t use the advanced features of auditing, data importing, scenarios, or goal seek.
Web-based applications are improving in features and speed, and now rival installed software with more and more users. When you start a new document or spreadsheet in Zoho Writer/Sheet or Google Docs/Spreadsheet, it all looks familiar. Presently, Google and Zoho dominate this market.
Here is the toolbar you see when you start a new word document in Google.
Here is Zoho’s toolbar.
As you can see, both have an abundance of features available. All the basics of word processing are covered by both of these applications. Other features are available as you enter text and work with your document. Advanced users will like the easy access to tables and columns.
Most small businesses need basic word processing and a simple spreadsheet program. After that, their needs vary, but as you’ll see in the next few days, whether you need a database or presentation software, you’re covered.
Web-based applications aren’t for every company, but most small businesses can benefit from web-based software.
You might be thinking, “I could never go to a web-based application because I require access to my files all the time. If the Internet connection drops, I’m out of business until it comes back up.” That is a valid issue that needs addressing before we continue the series.
The solution is to take some of the money you are currently spending on installed software and buy a redundant Internet connection or two. With the options most business have (DSL, cable, satellite, FIOS, cellular, T1),there is no reason to be un-connected because of an outage.
Regardless, a redundant Internet connection is a wise investment for companies. Most offices already use email and the web for many of their business functions, and are currently shut-down when connections are lost anyway. With a second connection, this becomes a non-issue.
Are you interested in learning more? Good!
Next: an overview of the variety of software available.
Technorati Tags: web-based applications, Zoho, Google, Microsoft, Office
August 29th, 2007 — web applications
Are you following the buzz on web-based applications? More and more companies are wondering if this form of software might be a good fit. I’d like to explore these application with an eye toward business use.
What is a web-based application? It is software that runs on a remote server rather than your desktop computer. Consider word processing software. Most companies have Microsoft Word or Corel WordPerfect installed on the local desktop and employees access that copy of the software to write documents.
Web-based software is not installed on your local computer, and employees access the software remotely to write documents.
Are web-based software applications ready to use in a business environment?
While many small businesses are struggling to stay afloat, they continue to think every employee needs a copy of Microsoft Office Professional to conduct business. With a retail price tag of ~$500, Microsoft Office Professional is an expensive investment for any business, but is it really needed?
What about this proliferation of free and low-cost web-based solutions? Can you run a business on these applications without spending a lot of cash?
The answer is not simply yes, because some businesses do need the extra features available from installed software, but the features gap is shrinking as web applications become better, faster, and more feature-rich every day.
They are a very real option for many business, and by examining them closely, a small business owner can make a good decision.
The next article in this series answers the question, Are web-based applications for real?
Technorati Tags: web-based applications, Google, Zoho
June 19th, 2007 — Planning
Have you developed a strategic technology plan (STP) for your business? Have you decided what technologies to consider? Do you know when to implement a new application, and how to judge a viable and valuable return on investment?
Most companies get their technology advice from a commissioned sales person who can rarely see and understand the long-range goals and planning needs of your company. That sales person’s goal is to sell you something—today. The phrase, “If you sell hammers, every problem looks like a nail” seems to fit here. The failure of this approach is that each problem is looked at in isolation, rather than as an overall part of a business strategy.
Consider these questions as you look at technology.
What happens if the wrong technology is installed? What if you needed a screwdriver, not a hammer. Implementing the wrong technology is a costly mistake. Costs associated with a bad solution are:
Put the right technology in place the first time, and work according to your strategic technology plan.
Technology is too important and too expensive to leave to chance.
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