The business operations software we use as TDA and why we chose them - Part 1: Non creative software

By Zane Harpur

If there was a single word that would capture our primary operations requirement it would be ‘Collaboration’.

As an online service provider, it is not only important for us to leverage the internet internally, but also for how we interact with our clients.

Cloud computing has brought some amazing features, and in the field of business operations the two main contenders are Microsoft Office 365 and Google’s G Suite.

This brief article is not a one-on-one comparison between the two giants. Microsoft Office has been the defacto business office software for ages. And in 2016, enjoyed sales of $13.8 billion with G Suite at number two at $1.3 billion.

These figures, however, don’t mean to imply that Office 365 is the winner. It has a lot to do with personal choice.

If we were attorneys or accountants I wouldn’t second guess Microsoft Office. However The Digital Alliance is a group of creative people who think outside the box. And, although we are all familiar with MS Office, I feel it is our duty to raise support and give a chance to the more trendy, cheeky, up and coming G Suite.

In many ways, in a one-on-one comparison, G Suite performs on par or better than MS Office. However, that can be for another post.

The primary applications that we use in G Suite are:

• Gmail
• Google Docs
• Google Sheets
• Google Hangouts
• Google Drive

And then to bring all the information together in an easily accessible way we use:

• Google Sites for a private Intranet
• Google Forms to submit and create documents

The primary applications bring all our work together within the organisation. No matter whether we are working remotely or from the office, all our work is there ready on any device.

Not only can we work together on multiple documents at the same time within our organisation, but we can share externally and work in real time with our clients. Fantastic!

To date, G Suite has not disappointed me. Hangouts is so simple that we even have a virtual boardroom on the Intranet. Voice and video meeting with one link.

And each day, as I learn more about the system, the greater the possibilities seem.

The choice is a matter of opinion though. Without a doubt. Do the research about both platforms. Understand what your organisational requirements are and know what you want out of the packages you’re looking at. Know where you are and where you want to go. 

When it comes to your marketing, the same applies. But, do you know where you stand with your marketing? Is the goal of where you want to be clear and defined? Are your employing the right strategies for your business and your target market? If you’re not sure, then The Digital Alliance can assist. We will do an in-depth market audit for you and create and implement an online marketing strategy that will get you where you should be. Contact us today for more on how our marketing audit and strategies can set your company on the right digital marketing path.