When it comes to corporate productivity, there are two primary options: you have Microsoft 365 and up until yesterday, G-Suite.
But this morning, Google is rebranding G-Suite to Google Workspace and at the same time, introducing a couple of new features as well. This is not a significant overhaul of the productivity suite but continues to show that Google is investing in this offering and shows little signs of slowing down.
Google Workspace is being described as “everything you need to get anything done, now in one place”. But the bigger announcement is likely the fact that features talked about earlier this year are now rolling out that refreshes the user experience.
Here’s what Google is saying is new today:
- New, deeply integrated user experience that helps teams collaborate more effectively, frontline workers stay connected, and businesses power new digital customer experiences
- New brand identity that reflects our ambitious product vision and the way our products work together
- New ways to get started with solutions tailored to the unique needs of our broad range of customers
There is no question that Microsoft 365 is market-leader in the productivity space but you can’t discount what Google is doing with Workspace. The company has been building productivity applications for more than a decade and has the capacity to challenge Microsoft on nearly every front.
And that’s a good thing, while Microsoft 365 has certainly evolved over the years, competition is good for the consumer.
While Microsoft certainly has a large footprint, the upside for Google is significant. Microsoft has already proven that enterprise software is a key source of long-term sustainable revenue and as Google looks to try to diversify its revenue streams, Workplace is a key part of that strategy.