Tech Lover 9

Google and Microsoft are two leading companies in Cloud Computing.  As an Internet, the Big G is trying to move everything to the Cloud and eliminating any desktop applications.  While Microsoft, as a traditional desktop software provider,  is trying hard (and painfully) to step to Cloud Computing platform to face the new challenge.


Whether for enterprise or individual, an Office system is always one of the most important application.  Google Docs is a very attractive cloud app for individuals and small businesses. Microsoft also launched their online office system – SkyDrive,  to compete with Google.  In this article, we would like to make a review on  Google and Microsoft’s cloud office solutions.

Products  involved:

Google:  Google Docs,  a fairly good online office .
Related product: Google Apps, Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Contact
Microsoft: SkyDrive ,  an online office system which is compatible with Microsoft Office.
Related product: Microsoft Office, Live Mesh

Features:

Google Docs:

• Create, edit and share Document, Presentation, Spreadsheet and Drawing files.
• View and share Image, PDF, Video, Audio files.
• OCR is supported
• Powerful share settings
• Excellent search (does this need to be mentioned on Google product?)
• Folder uploading/downloading/moving is supported.

For Google Docs users, especially enterprise users, Google Docs can be a comprehensive office solution by being well integrated with Gmail, Google App domain, Google Calendar, Google Contact, as well as  lots of third party apps on Google Apps Marketplace.   Comparing to Microsoft Office/Exchange, Google’s solution is much cheaper and flexible,  so it is welcomed by small businesses. Based on Google’s statement, there are more than 3 millions Google Apps enterprise users now.

Google launched an Android client for Google Docs recently, but there is no clue if and when a desktop client of Google Docs will be launched by Google. However, you can find a third party desktop app for Google Docs, which is a small and convenient tool.

SkyDrive:

• Create Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote files online with Microsoft Office compatibility.
• View and share photos and videos.
• Share files easily.

Compared with Google Docs, Microsoft SkyDrive falls behind on features, collaboration and speed. And the user experience is also not as good as Google Docs.
The biggest advantage of SkyDrive is: It can seamlessly connect with Microsoft Office 2010, which means that the user can use Microsoft Office 2010 to create and edit a file and save it directly on SkyDrive online space. Additionally, any office files on SkyDrive can also be opened directly by Office 2010.
Another tool we would like to mention is a Sync app based on SkyDrive : Live Mesh, which can sync any folder on your local computer to the 5GB free online space of SkyDrive.  Pretty cool!

Conclusion:

Which one is better, Google Docs and Microsoft SkyDrive?

For individual users:

If you are a cloud computing fan and want to do everything online, Google Docs is your perfect choice.
If you like handling with local office system and just want to experience the benefit from cloud storage,  Microsoft Office + SkyDrive should be your choice.

For business users:

For any enterprise user, if Microsoft Active Directory, Office and Exchange are also well deployed inside your corporation,  there should be no reason to transfer to Google platform.  Incorporating more cloud elements like Microsoft SkyDrive, Live Mesh to the original system should be the best choice.

For small startup business,  constructing the office system on Google platform can cost much less than Microsoft Office solution, as well as bring  a much more effective collaboration.