How Suite It Is: Google Workspace is Rebooted GSuite

The vast majority of law firms still use Microsoft Office/365 for productivity software (email, calendar).   But, there are still a significant number of law firms that have zagged, and adopted Google’s productivity software; and, it is a viable alternative to Microsoft. 



Recently, Google rebranded GSuite (the second most-recent name for its productivity suite) to Google Workspace.  As part of the transition, Google Workspace (re)launched with new pricing tiers.  Now, the pricing for Google’s productivity suite is more competitive with what Microsoft charges.  One significant change is that Google Workspace now offers more storage space bang for the buck, that’s even a little bit better than what Microsoft gives you – so, if your free Google email account is nearing the limit, this may be a great way to get unstuck.  Here are some suggestions for how to select the right plan. 

 

Perhaps the most significant drawback to Google Workspace (and the main reason most law firms still opt for Microsoft) is that it doesn’t include Microsoft Word – the lawyer’s favorite document drafting program this side of WordPerfect.  (That was sarcasm.)  But, in all seriousness, Word is a better, more fully-featured drafting tool than Google Docs, even if it’s easier to collaborate in Google Docs. 

 

But, if you can live with an (arguably) inferior word processing tool (especially if you’re in a practice area where formatting documents is not a huge deal), or are willing to maintain a separate subscription to Word, you can run Google Workspace, and have a really robust productivity software on your hands. 

 

Google Workspace has been gaining market share in legal slowly, but surely – and, it’s new pricing scheme is worth a look. 

 

. . . 

Time to review your tech platform?  We can help. 

Through a unique partnership between the bar association and Jared Correia's Red Cave Law Firm Consulting, National Creditors' Bar Association members now have access to experienced law practice management consultants at a special discount rate. To get started, visit Red Cave's NCBA landing page, and start running your law practice like a business.

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