"cloud applications" such as google apps

[KateC]

I am very interested in to how "cloud apps" such as google apps could be utilised in our charity and was wondering if there are any like minded people out there.

In particular I am interested to know if anyone has done any research in to the benefits/pit falls of using these apps in the charity sector. For instance, I can see a big potential for our regional team who would be able to access/share documents over the internet from any location.

Any thoughts?

[phila]

Its a fast developing area - google apps & salesforce.com being the leaders

The apps are a bit clunky and not as feature rich as desktop software - but this may or may not be an issue

I'd suggest trying them out with a test group and see if they are for you

Smaller orgs find it easier to embrace new technologies and in my experience this is the same

But if the prime motivator is to save money, its marginal - per head, per day over 3 years

So any place access is often the driver - there are issues of data security tho' and large orgs still use Citrix or Terminal Server or self hosted apps to achieve the same ends

[ianryder]

My advice for any organisation thinking of this sort of option is to ask what happens if that company providing the application disappears - will you still have access to your data and applications?

I think it's one of the biggest issues with this whole model of computing, especially given everything that is happening with the credit crunch. If we don't know how well funded the major banks are how can we know how well funded a technology company is?

That doesn't mean don't do it - just make sure you have a plan that means you can continue to operate should they not be there one morning.

[simonb]

Do you mean Google Apps or do you mean Google Docs

I think the replies above relate to Google Docs (ie like online versions of word, excel, powerpoint etc etc).

Google Apps allows you to link people up under a single domain name (for email) AND provide them with access to Google Docs and more.

Here's some background:
http://simonberry.ruralnet.org.uk/2007/12/08/google-apps-for-farmers/

Regards

Simon
25/7/08

[tyndyll]

It depends on the problem you are trying to address.

If you're trying to give a lot of users office software cheaply, use Open Office. Its free, opens Microsoft Office files and does not limit users.

If you're trying to have a central location for files try Sharepoint (if you've got money) or something like Alfresco (http://www.alfresco.com/) or Zimbra (www.zimbra.com) (if you don't have money).

If you're trying to simplify your IT administration try looking into Thin clients and remote computing.

These are things I'm in the middle of at the moment so if you want any more advice drop me a email

Simon

[tyndyll]

One other point is security and privacy.

Do you want your confidential documents stored on someone elses servers?

[DavidGoodwin]

If you are referring to Google apps, I represent a company that is the only UK accredited Google apps reseller (with a dedicated Charity team) and would be more than happy to put you in touch with my team here to discuss this futher.

David Goodwin
SCC Bristol
Business Development Executive Charity Sector
EMAIL: charity.team@scc.com
DDI: 01454 200857
MOBILE: 07976 013391

[DarylUnitt]

I would say that the possible benifits for a charity (no hardware costs, setup costs etc) for out way any possible risks, the chance of Google ever "going away" or the the percived security risks of having your data on someone elses server (lets be honnest it is going to be safer in a certified data centre than in a sever in your office) and more and more application service provision is the way forward

Obviosuly each organisation is differenent and things like size, in house IT skills, location of workforce all have a factor in making your choice

I am in the process of rolling out Salesforce as our CRM package for our organisation and have no concerns with security or our data being stored on someone else's server and there also the the cost saving in servers and even your CO2 and fuel bills

[ianryder]

[quote="DarylUnitt"]I am in the process of rolling out Salesforce as our CRM package for our organisation and have no concerns with security or our data being stored on someone else's server and there also the the cost saving in servers and even your CO2 and fuel bills[/quote]
Hi - I've nothing against Salesforce or any other ASP type service - I was actually involved in an ASP type company back in the dot com days.

But if you say you have no worries then I assume you have a plan in place should something happen to Salesforce? I'm quite interested - I haven't worked with them specifically so I don't know what options they have with regard to business continuity should something happen to them.

There are a huge number of companies out there - and I'm not suggesting Salesforce are one of them - that have loaded themselves up with debt during the good years and are going to be in trouble if things do continue to go the wrong way. If I was getting into the sort of arrangement where the systems being provided by a company were mission-critical and totally depended upon the sound management of that company, I'd at least want to have a fall-back option.

[DarylUnitt]

You are quite right that some intelligence is needed when deciding who to use and this is the reason why Google and Salesforce are in my mind are rock solid organisations to use for ASP, a good tip is to look at who else is using the software and if it is good enought for Cisco, Starbucks, AMD, National Grid Wireless then its good enougth for my charity

I do have in place a procedure to download monthy all data to my sever in CSV format and utlitmatly if a problem arose then I could look at another CRM soloution however I cannot forsee this ever being the case and the fact that Salesforce provides it service for Free (£0.00!) I could not see any other reason to use another CRM package ( I looked at Civi, Centric, ACT! & Sugar)

I do have a few servers in the org looking after email (MS Exchange) filestructure (Win Active Directory ) database (SQL) and Finance (Sage) and so I have a blend of ASP and traditonal sever farm and for my orgs needs that suits

Cheers

Daryl

[KateC]

Thanks for all your comments so far, it's nice to know there's help out there!