WorkPlace vs. Office 365 vs. Google Apps

Although there are some fundamental differences between Virsage WorkPlace, Google Apps and Microsoft Office 365, considering some basic similarities will provide a better overall understanding of these services and how they compare to each other.  All three of these offerings are “cloud based” or "web based" which simply means they are delivered as a service to the end user through an Internet connection. The actual data and software resides in a data center that is managed and maintained by the provider. Therefore all three services can be accessed remotely from practically any web based device. Like all cloud or web based services neither Google Apps, Office 365 nor WorkPlace requires an onsite server.Now that we have discussed the basic similarities, we can look at the differences among the three.

The primary difference between WorkPlace and the other services is the ability of WorkPlace to conform to your individual business’s specific IT needs. WorkPlace replaces the entire server infrastructure of businesses while Google Apps and Office 365 only address e-mail, document creation and file sharing.  Typically most businesses have specific line of business applications that their employees are familiar with (QuickBooks, Act!, or custom developed software). Virsage WorkPlace is compatible with virtually any application and allows them to be accessed from any PC, Mac, tablet or smartphone . The user enjoys the exact same interface that he/she did while running the application from their local server - without all of the management headaches and cost. Because of Google Apps and Office 365 narrow focus and lack of flexibility, companies are left to search for additional options to host their other applications while WorkPlace provides a single, turn-key solution.

Virsage has been a traditional IT service provider to small and medium sized businesses since 1999.  Our reputation is based on the support we provide to our clients. If someone has an issue, help is a phone call or email away to be quickly connected with a person who has intimate knowledge of their business infrastructure. If the problem cannot be addressed remotely, Virsage will coordinate a local technician to provide onsite support as well. Microsoft does provide phone and email support but only to enterprise clients and they do not provide onsite support. With Google Docs support is limited to web based communications, forums and email primarily and no onsite support.

While all three services share common “cloud” characteristics such as remote accessibility from any device, daily backups, no server requirement and enterprise level security, Virsage is the only option that provides a complete IT solution that works on any PC, Mac, iPad or Android. The ability to host any line of business application with the most recent version of Microsoft Office and no software limitations sets WorkPlace apart.  Virsage WorkPlace enables businesses to "Never Buy Another Server" and focus their capital and resources on higher priority projects.