Google Apps User Rename

There are more friendly tools for renaming Google Apps users that you can purchase but GAM (Google Apps Manager) is free and can do user renaming plus much more:
http://code.google.com/p/google-apps-manager/

It's command line driven.  We use it for various batch operations like turning off webclips for all Google Apps user accounts.

With the ability to rename users there is no need to backup and restore user accounts just to change their email address.

Google Apps: Rapid innovation in the cloud versus hosted applications

Wow, Google is rolling out a massive number of improvements to Google Apps in a short amount of time!  I count 87 entries so far on the blog for 2010, which is an average of  ~10 per month.

This is a fundamental difference between true cloud computing and the hosting of applications.  Quickbooks for example (not Quickbooks online which is not availabe in Canada), is an excellent accounting application but having it hosted doesn't elimininate the work of installing patches, learning the significant changes from the prior version, and preparing for any major impact to your current business processes.  However, for certain businesses hosting Quickbooks in a data centre is a great option that eliminates the headaches of running your own servers, provides simple remote access, and ensures backups are stored offsite.  At Interlockit.com we've helped customers move a variety of applications into data centres but we always do a cost comparison to the alternatives before making the recommendations.  Sometimes the hardware or software requirements mean running it on the customer's own servers is the better option.

I like this analogy from one of the articles below:  "Buying the services of a traditional hosting provider is like renting a set of electricity generators, whereas a cloud computing provider provides an electrical power grid. The idea is that a cloud computing provider makes it extra easy to treat computing resources like a pay-as-you-go utility service."

NetSuite, SuccessFactors, Salesforce.com, Freshbooks, these are all true cloud computing applications that provide continuous innovation for all of their customers.  The learning curve is small because small changes are made on a continuous basis.

Remember the big learning curve when switching from Microsoft Office 2003 to 2007?

Subscribe to the Google Apps official blog to keep up with all the changes at http://googleappsupdates.blogspot.com/

Subscribe to the Microsoft Online Services/BPOS blog at http://blogs.technet.com/b/msonline/

For additional reading:

• Salesforce CEO: Private cloud is not real cloud 
• The differences between Hosting and Cloud Hosting 
• Cloud Computing versus traditional hosting

Google Apps IT Executive Summit in Toronto

Join Interlockit.com and the Google team in Toronto to discuss if Google Apps – the cloud-based suite of email, calendar, IM, and collaboration tools – is right for you. You'll hear from a customer why they switched, their experiences with deployment, and most importantly, the results. We'll also provide an overview of our Postini services which include spam and virus filtering. This will be a great opportunity to talk with other IT professionals and Google representatives on moving to a cloud-based model, and how to evaluate the benefits of Google Apps for your company. You'll learn: • Why companies have switched • How Google manages security and privacy • Best practices for deploying Google Apps • How to effectively implement change management

	When Thursday, August 26 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
	Where Delta Chelsea Hotel 33 Gerrard Street West Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1Z4
	RSVP Register today. Space is limited so please RSVP early and answer "Interlockit" in the field "Who invited you to this event?"

Do Canadians avoid Cloud Computing due to the Patriot Act?

Having sold U.S. based SaaS solutions for over 5 years we occasionally encounter prospective Canadian customers that use the U.S. Patriot Act as an excuse to avoid cloud computing.

Note that as far as the Federal Government knows the Patriot Act has never been used to access Canadian data.  Consider also that your customer's data is far more secure on Microsoft's or Google's servers than it ever will be on their own server in their own office.

My editorial opinion is that ensuring you have secure passwords is far more important than being concerned about the very remote possibility that the U.S. government might access your data.  1 in 3 Canadian jobs is related to international trade; to require the data to be located in Canada limits a business' opportunity to utilize the best solution at the best price and makes us less competitive in the global market. 

Would you be willing to pay 5 to 10 times more for the same service in Canada?  I did the costing analysis with 2 large SaaS companies and that was the reality of the numbers.

For further reading:

• Treasury Board of Canada: Frequently Asked Questions: USA PATRIOT ACT Comprehensive Assessment Results
• IT World Canada: Don’t use the Patriot Act as an excuse

June 2010: 88% of all email is spam

According to Symantec, in the month of June 2010 88% of all email was spam.

So in other words 88% of the traffic handled by your on-premise email server is unwanted.  Why pay for the wasted bandwidth or manage hardware and software for something that is easily managed externally for a very reasonable cost?

The two major players in hosted spam management and email archival are Symantec MessageLabs and Google Postini.

Our recommendation is Google Postini.  It protects over 18 million users, is straightforward to configure, can be automatically synchronized to your Microsoft Exchange/Active Directory (or LDAP), and costs less.

• Postini TCO calculator

At Interlockit.com we're happy to make the deployment process painless for you.

Interlockit.com and Microsoft BPOS

We've officially become a Microsoft Partner for Microsoft Online Services.  Microsoft BPOS gives your business the powerful productivity of Exchange Online, Sharepoint Online, Office Communications Online, and Office Live Meeting starting at $12.50 per user per month.  All services are hosted in the cloud by Microsoft and are easy to setup without the upfront costs of an on-premise deployment.

This is a natural addition to our cloud computing service offerings at Interlockit.com since we have deep experience in migrating data from legacy systems like Microsoft Exchange or other POP3/IMAP based systems.  We're also experienced in synchronizing user lists from Active Directory to cloud based services eliminating the need to manage users in two places.

Cloud Computing is a disruptive wave that provides cheaper, more convenient, and simpler business solutions that work!

Google Apps Directory Sync: Tips for Microsoft Active Directory

The Google Apps Directory Sync tool really should be installed at any mid to large corporation using a Microsoft Windows Server (or any LDAP compatible directory server).  It eliminates the need to add, change, or delete users in two different places.

LDAP Directory Sync is definitely complex with a steep learning curve.  You need a good understanding of how to create LDAP queries as there are only limited examples in the provided documentation.  However, once it's configured there should be little reason to change it.

It's our experience that in most installations you'll need one configuration file for synchronizing Users, Profiles, and Contacts and another configuration file for Groups.

If you're migrating in batches from an email server such as Exchange Server to Google Apps it's best to synchronize only users that are a member of a Security Group such as "Google Apps Users".  That way the user is created in Google Apps only after they've been made a member of the security group.

Here's a sample LDAP user query: 

(memberOf=CN=Google Apps Users,OU=Security Groups,DC=domainname,DC=local)

Replace OU=Security Groups,... with the appropriate location in your Active directory tree of the security group.

And note that Google Postini has the same ability to synchronize to Microsoft Active Directory or your LDAP directory server.

Or give us a call at Interlockit.com.  We're happy to configure it for you.

Google Apps and Docs misconceptions

The Microsoft camp frequently points out how Microsoft Office has all the features that businesses want right now and therefore wants you to conclude that you don't need Google Apps, but this misses the main point; Google Docs are complementary to Microsoft Office.

Google Docs has been providing rich real-time collaboration to millions of users for nearly four years.  You can edit and share documents from the browser from anywhere in the world.  A growing number of corporations are using it as their primary productivity software but there's no need to.

Google Docs makes Office 2003 and 2007 better because you can store any file in Google's cloud and share them in their original format with anyone on the internet.  No more guessing if you have the latest version.

Google Docs represents a real alternative for companies: a chance to get the collaboration features you need today and end the endless cycle of "upgrades".

Try it out free for 30 days.  The only thing you have to lose is a server or two.

http://googleenterprise.blogspot.com/2010/05/upgrade-here.html

More applications coming for Google Apps Customers

More applications for Google Apps will reduce customer training time on why their Google Apps accounts don't work on Picasa and other handy Google services.  Currently your Google Apps login id will only work on the core messaging and collaboration applications forcing customers to use a personal gmail account for the rest.

The overhaul is expected this fall.  More details can be found here: http://googleenterprise.blogspot.com/2010/05/more-google-applications-coming-for.html

Last blog post... 4 weeks ago. What kept us busy in April

Lots on the go but having tons of fun.  Here's some of the things that kept us busy in April at Interlockit.com:

• Interlockit.com is mentioned in a PC World Article on Google Apps Sync for Outlook - note our mention of the improved return on investment with the web interface over sticking with outlook.  I am an accountant (CMA) after all...
• Hiring and mentoring of new technical staff members
• Joint presentations with Google Canada on Google Apps to a large group of franchisees in the transportation industry.  It was very successful... We'll share the exciting details in the future
• Lots of client deployments of Google Apps
• Received official Canadian reseller status for a brand of high quality internet routers.  Google Apps shines when we clean up the customer's internet connectivity and massively improve throughput and reliability.  We'll broadcast more details once we have the e-commerce site up and running
• and... my vote for best new feature among many released for Google Apps Premier Edition in April is Drag and drop file attachments

Another Update: Migrating from Microsoft Exchange to Google Apps now even easier

I've configured and fixed many Microsoft Exchange email implementations over the years but have never hung out my shingle as a Microsoft Exchange guru.  Having now put the Google apps exchange migration tool through its paces in the wild...

Here is my opinion that I'd enjoy hearing different perspectives on:

Migrating from Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 or 2007 to Google Apps Premier Edition is easier and less costly than upgrading to Exchange 2007 or 2010 respectively.

To help out those that currently use Microsoft Exchange:

• Feature debate: Exchange wins in some areas
• Prefer to manage your own in-house servers: Exchange wins
• Entire company loves Outlook: Exchange wins, or maybe not?
• Too much important historic email sitting in Outlook offline email archives: winner?

I'll pause there.  Please comment publicly on blog.  We do moderate all postings but only for politeness, not for opposing opinions.

Update: Migrating from Microsoft Exchange to Google Apps now even easier

We've put the new Microsoft Exchange migration tool through its paces and it's definitely delivering beyond expectations.

What is most impressive is the ability to do parallel processing.  It's now feasible for us to migrate hundreds of users in a single night.  Thousands of users could be done over a weekend with lots of time to spare.

This tool will definitely reduce the cost of customer migrations.

Android Phones and the Google Nexus One from HTC

I've now had sufficient time to put the Google One Nexus through its paces and I fully recommend it to all Google Apps customers.  It's a beautiful phone.  Businesses can save big on IT labour because setup is as simple as turning on the phone and signing the user into their Google Apps account.  Everything instantly integrates; email, calendar, and contacts.

Ask your IT department how many hours they spend on Blackberries, iPhones, and Windows Mobile devices and drop me an email (or comment if you don't mind making it public).  Since I'm a professional accountant I'm interested in calculating the ROI across a range of samples.

Here's what I now recommend to corporations running Google Apps for phones:

1. Google Nexus One running Android OS 2.1.  End user can completely configure it themselves.  It's unlocked so you can swap your Rogers Sim for an AT&T Sim and save big on roaming charges when you travel.  Only minus is that you need to install EasyTether or PdaNet for modem tethering with your notebook.  The LG Eve didn't require extra software for tethering.  I look forward to testing a phone like the Motorola Droid which has a hardware keyboard to see if the setup is just as simple as the Nexus One.
2. iPhone - You have to carefully read the documentation to get the full experience.  We usually help the IT department do the first few but the integration is excellent and second only to the Android.
3. Blackberry - still the preferred unit for speedy typing of emails on the go but it's really showing its age with too much complexity.  It still integrates wonderfully with Google Apps but the IT department definitely has to configure it for most users to get full email, calendar sync, and contacts sync.

Earth Shattering news: Migrating from Microsoft Exchange to Google Apps now even easier

For me as an insider this is teary-eyed stuff.  Customers should care because data migrations to Google Apps from Microsoft Exchange will be easier and more cost effective with this tool.

And our team and I will get to spend less nights waking up multiple times to check on desktop data migrations.  Getting ahead of myself... Let us put it through the paces on our own internal Exchange Server test beds first.  Overall Google has always impressed me with the quality of their product releases.  There are third party tools that do the same but most were poorly documented.

• Migrating from Microsoft Exchange now even easier

Welcome to Canada, Google Nexus One!

I've placed my Nexus One order and will report back on its suitability for business executives as compared to the LG Eve and Blackberry Bold.

Why the Nexus One?  Because I get to deal directly with Google and don't have to wait for Rogers to release software updates.  Our Rogers LG Eve is still on Android OS 1.5.  The Nexus One runs on Android OS 2.1.

The LG Eve running OS 1.5 can't invite multiple attendees to a meeting which is important for the on the road executive.  This was addressed in Android OS 2.0 plus with 2.1 you get Turn-by-turn GPS, Google Earth, etc.

Nexus One now compatible with the AT&T 3G network and shipping to Canada
Rogers Wireless: Welcome to Canada, Google Nexus One!

I'm also keeping an eye on the Samsung Galaxy Spica for $450.  If Rogers release OS 2.1 for the Spica it should be a good phone and less expensive than the Nexus One.

DocVerse joins Google

Google Docs is simply awesome because I can edit and share my documents from any computer instantly from anywhere.  However, it still has to coexist with the 600 million users of Microsoft Office.  It's a pain to remember to upload your Excel spreadsheet to Google Documents every time you change it.

This is the problem that DocVerse solves.  Google just acquired them.  I look forward to seeing how Google integrates DocVerse into their solution offering.

Backup Solutions

I did a business process review with a customer yesterday and we both realized that their years of documents and contracts were stored on a single computer with zero backups.

I woke up early today worrying about my client's data.  There are hundreds of different backup solutions to choose from.  I've tested many.  My favourite is Mozy.  Please install it or call us.  Then we can all sleep better knowing that the data is securely backed up in the cloud.

P.S. Use my referral link https://mozy.com/?ref=VX97E6 or referral code VX97E6 and we both receive an extra 512 Mb of backup space.

Throw away your USB drive

Now that Google Apps allows you to upload files of any type without having to convert them to Google Doc format you can stop carrying around your USB drive.  No more having to remember to copy that complex financial forecast in Microsoft Excel to your notebook hard drive or USB stick.  Just open a web browser at the board meeting, log-in and open the file from Google Docs.

Your Google Apps account starts with a minimum of 10 Gb's of storage.

Gmail and Google Apps Calendar management tips

I think children are sometimes the best test of whether a process is simple or not.  My 6 year old is like most and really doesn't care about daddy being late for something so I built him a schedule on Gmail and made sure it integrates with my schedule on Google apps.  He loves it!

Here's a few tips I think are worth sharing with business users from this exercise:

• Learn how "Quick Add" works.  It's a phenomenal time saver.  Enter "today 800 am Bus to School 20 min" or "wed 2 pm Budget meeting 2 hours".  Google Calendar will automatically create the appropriate appointment for you.  If you get it wrong use the Undo Link that appears as part of the yellow message telling you what you just added.
• Open your calendar, Settings, Labs (Gapps administrator has to allow labs for this to appear)
• Enable the components: "Who's my one-on-one with?", "Free or busy", and my personal and my 6 year old's favourite "Next meeting"

Sure there's a whole bunch of encouragement for my 6 year old that helps too, but now I can leave a screen open that's his schedule (coordinated with dad's and mom's) that he's enjoying keeping up with.

Yikes, I'm 2 minutes late for picking him up for the dentist.  Gotta run.

What if your notebook computer was stolen?

How long would it take for you to be up and running with full access to all Email, Calendaring, and Contacts?

If running Google Apps; as fast as you can get to another computer with a web browser; probably minutes.

If running Microsoft Outlook you have to restore from backups; or if on Exchange configure Outlook on another computer...  I'll spare you the details but probably a few hours at least.

Just had a customer have his notebook stolen while on a trip.  The data in his outlook PST file plus all his Excel spreadsheets is at risk because it wasn't encrypted nor password protected.  Identity and financial information theft is a real possibility.  Sure you can use a Windows password, but a tech guy like me can plug the physical drive into another computer and still access all the data unless it was specifically encrypted.

So buy a better notebook with an encrypted drive like this one from Seagate or upgrade to a more expensive version of windows?  Or simply pay $50/year and store your documents (even in MS Excel format) on highly secure Google Apps servers using Google Documents?

Google Apps allows all browser sessions to use https.  So no data will get transmitted nor stored on the local computer in a usable form for a hacker.

I may sound biased but I'll be recommending the Google Apps solution to my customers. :)