Term:

Google Workspace

Definition:

Google Workspace is a suite of cloud-based productivity and collaboration tools developed by Google. It includes a variety of software applications and services designed to help businesses, organizations, and individuals work more efficiently and effectively. Formerly known as G Suite, Google Workspace has been rebranded in October 2020 with a new set of features and an updated user interface.

Google Workspace is used by millions of people worldwide, from small businesses and startups to large enterprises and educational institutions. Its core features include email, video conferencing, file storage and sharing, real-time collaboration, and productivity tools such as word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. These tools are available through a web browser, as well as through mobile apps for Android and iOS devices.

One of the key benefits of Google Workspace is that it allows teams to collaborate in real-time, from anywhere in the world. This is particularly valuable for remote teams, as it enables them to work together on projects and documents without needing to be in the same physical location. For example, a team of employees in different countries could work together on a shared Google Doc, making edits and comments in real-time.

Another benefit of Google Workspace is its scalability. The software is designed to be flexible and can be customized to meet the needs of different types of organizations. This means that small businesses can start with a basic package and add more features as they grow, while large enterprises can tailor the software to their specific requirements.

The history of Google Workspace dates back to 2006, when Google launched its first set of productivity tools under the name Google Apps for Your Domain. The suite included email, calendaring, and document creation tools, and was primarily targeted at businesses and educational institutions. Over the years, Google added more applications and services to the suite, including Google Drive (formerly known as Google Docs), Google Sheets, and Google Slides.

In 2012, Google rebranded the suite as Google Apps for Business and added more features aimed at enterprises, such as 24/7 customer support and additional security measures. In 2014, the company introduced Google Classroom, a tool designed specifically for teachers and students to collaborate on coursework.

In 2016, Google introduced a new name for the suite, G Suite, and announced several new features and upgrades, including improved search capabilities, expanded APIs, and a new set of machine learning-powered tools. The company also introduced a new pricing model, which allowed businesses to choose from several different packages depending on their needs.

In October 2020, Google announced a rebranding of the suite as Google Workspace, along with several new features and an updated user interface. The new branding reflects Google’s vision of the software as a unified set of tools designed to help teams collaborate more effectively. Some of the new features introduced with Google Workspace include:

1. Rooms: A new feature in Google Chat that allows users to create virtual rooms for different projects or topics. Rooms can be used to share files, hold video meetings, and collaborate in real-time.
2. Meet: A video conferencing tool that is now integrated with Gmail and Google Calendar. Meet allows users to host video meetings with up to 250 participants and includes features such as screen sharing, real-time captions, and the ability to join meetings from a phone or tablet.
3. Drive: The file storage and sharing service, which now includes several new features such as smart suggestions for files and folders, improved search capabilities, and the ability to view and organize files in new ways.
4. Docs, Sheets, and Slides: The productivity tools have also been updated with new features, such as the ability to create templates, improved commenting and collaboration features, and new formatting options.

Google Workspace is now available in several different packages, including Business Starter, Business Standard, and Business Plus.

In easy-to-understand terms, Google WorkSpace is a group of Google products you can pay a nominal fee for access to that includes ad-free Gmail, Docs, Drive, Calendar, Meet, YouTube, and more. With Google Workspace, you can run your own company email through the Gmail service. Workspace administrators can manage accounts, create email aliases, assign Google apps to users and so much more. At the time of this writing, it only costs $6 per user for Google WorkSpace.