G Suite Changes its Name

Posted on 10.28.2020 - By Todd Cave

Google recently made four (4) major changes to the G Suite productivity suite (branding, integration, support and subscription plans). 

Branding:

The most obvious change is with the name itself (changed from G Suite to Google Workspace). Many of the app logos, including the iconic Gmail, were changed as well.

Integration:

Google also more deeply integrated the native apps within Google Workspace with one another to improve collaboration and help workers stay better connected. Some of these integrations include the ability to dynamically create and collaborate on a document with guests in a chat room, preview a linked file without having to open it in a new tab in a Google Doc and show contact details when you @mention someone in a Google Doc.

Support:

Google broke its support into three (3) separate packages:

Standard Support:

• 4-hour service-level objective (SLO) for P1 cases.
• 24/7 for P1 cases
• Case and phone support

Enhanced Support

• 1-hour for P1 cases
• 24/7 access for P1 and P2 cases
• Case and phone support
• priority support. 
• Technical experts with advanced product knowledge
• Third-Party Technology Support

Premium Support

• 15-minute SLO response for P1 cases. 
• 24/7 for P1, P2 and P3 cases
• Case and phone support
• Technical experts with advanced product knowledge
• Third Party Technology Support
• Technical Account Manager
• Customer Aware Support
• Operational health reviews
• Intelligent systems
• Training
• New products previews

Subscription Plans

One of the most significant changes Google made was to the subscription plans. Both G Suite Basic and Business were eliminated while three (3) Workspace subscriptions were added: (Business Starter, Business Standard and Business Plus). The Enterprise did not change. Key Features of each plan include:

Business Starter (replaced G Suite Basic)

• 30GB of Storage per user
• 100 participants in video meetings
• Standard Support

Business Standard

• 2TB of Storage per user
• 150 participants in video meetings
• Standard Support (paid upgrade to Enhanced Support)

Business Plus

• 5TB of Storage per user
• 250 participants in video meetings + attendance tracking
• Enhanced security and management controls, including Vault and advanced endpoint management
• Standard Support (paid upgrade to Enhanced Support)

Enterprise

• Unlimited Storage
• 250 participants in video meetings + attendance tracking + noise cancellation and in-domain live streaming
• Advanced security, management, and compliance controls, including Vault, DLP, data regions, and enterprise endpoint management
• Enhanced Support (paid upgrade to Premium Support)

Google has indicated that customers on the old plans will not be affected or required to change plans unless or until they choose to do so.

The recent changes to Google Workspace certainly increase the value of the platform. However, businesses choosing to leverage Google Workspace need to look closely at the subscription plans to determine which one makes the most sense for their particular situation.

In addition, the new support options are going to make it more imperative that businesses work with a Google Cloud Partner who really understands Google Workspace, the Chrome OS and the Google Ecosystem to ensure they are properly secured, avoid unanticipated pitfalls and are able to get the most out of their Google Workspace investment.

 

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