Google reaches toward the enterprise

Folks who use Microsoft Outlook might be interested to know that Google has released a plug-in for it that allows for the synchronization of emails, calendar entries and contacts that are stored in Google apps. While only the aforementioned, core features are available, I think that is an adequate start.

What I found intriguing was why Google would go to the trouble of creating the Google Apps Sync for Microsoft Outlook plug-in in the first place. And this occurred in spite of Google saying that users who "balked" at having to leave the confines of Microsoft Outlook represented a mere five percent of users.

To me, this move underscored the unmentioned difficulties that Google ran into in order to get users to switch from the client-side applications that they are familiar with, to a web-based interface. Apparently, the "all or nothing" approach of web-based application is a challenge for many. Obviously, it will take months yet before it will be possible to determine the success--or failure--of this new venture.

So will I be installing the plug-in?

Despite piping all my emails through Gmail--it has a pretty good spam filter, after all--I would be the first to confess that this solution would not fit my requirements. Admittedly my configuration is rather unusual and complicated, as I run my own Microsoft Exchange Server, in order to support the work I do. 

So I will keep my eyes open for new solutions. For now though, I'll just stay with my current setup. What about you? - Paul