With the option to search all of Google or restrict searches to just images or quotes, Research bar is a useful tool that won’t disrupt user workflow. The feature can be found under Tools or by using the Ctrl+Alt+R shortcut and sits to the right side of the document while the user is working.

]]> http://blog.ltech.com/2012/05/15/google-docs-has-new-research-feature/feed http://blog.ltech.com/2012/04/25/sompo-japan-moves-to-google-apps http://blog.ltech.com/2012/04/25/sompo-japan-moves-to-google-apps#comments Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:43:31 +0000 abachert http://blog.ltech.com/?p=147 Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. announced their decision today to go Google, making them the largest Google Apps customer in Japan. With 30,000 employees in 700 offices across 28 countries, Sompo is one of the leading property insurance companies in Japan.

The company has a network of 45,000 agencies and understands that Google Apps will strengthen the company’s internal communication and make it easier for employees to work remotely. In addition, Apps will benefit the planned merger with Nippon Koa Insurance in 2014.

]]> http://blog.ltech.com/2012/04/25/sompo-japan-moves-to-google-apps/feed http://blog.ltech.com/2012/04/24/drive-your-business-forward-with-google-drive http://blog.ltech.com/2012/04/24/drive-your-business-forward-with-google-drive#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:27:17 +0000 abachert http://blog.ltech.com/?p=146 Google has released the much anticipated Google Drive, a new method to access and share files. Available at any time and on any device, Google Drive is the bigger and better version of Google Documents.

The app allows users to upload and access files such as videos, photos, PDFs, and Google Docs from a web browser at drive.google.com or from any device where the Google drive desktop and applications are installed. With Google Drive, users can create and collaborate with others in real time, as well as safely store and access information from all devices. This versatility provides users with the freedom to work with anyone at any time and any location. Google Drive also allows users to search by keyword and filter by file type and owner. You can even search for scanned documents using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology.

In addition, Drive offers the same tool as other Google Apps services including:

• Security
• Data Replication
• Uptime
• Support
• Centralized Management

Google Drive users will receive 5GB of storage for free with the option to upgrade to larger storage space for a monthly fee.

After testing several mail platforms, Secretary of Technology and State Chief Information Officer Kristin D. Russell of Colorado’s Office of Information Technology (OIT) decided that Google Apps is the most efficient and cost effective solution. Google Apps will allow the State Government of Colorado to consolidate 15 separate email systems into one communication platform. This process will cut current maintenance costs in half and save the state approximately $2 million a year. It will also allow employees across various departments to communicate more effectively with co-workers.

In addition to the state government, local agencies such as Larimer County and Eagle County have made the switch to Google Apps. Also in summer 2010, Colorado announced a statewide agreement to grant school districts the option to use Google Apps for Education. Since then, some of Colorado’s largest education institutions such as Colorado State University, Metropolitan State College of Denver, and Douglas County School District have gone Google.

“The ability to work from anywhere – that’s what Google Apps for Business can offer,” said RE/MAX CEO Margaret Kelly when she announced the Google/LTech partnership with RE/MAX at R4. “I don’t have to tell you that working as efficiently on the move – as if you’re in front of all your files and computer programs in the office – is priceless in this industry.”

Google Apps for Business will help RE/MAX agents coordinate the selling and buying process, collaborate with colleagues, and increase sales. It will provide agents with access to 25 GB of storage (50 times more than the industry average), enhanced technical support via expedited email, and 24/7 phone assistance for critical issues- All at the special RE/MAX price of $45/year per user (up to $64/year retail)!

Please visit remax.ltech.com for more information.

With discussions in presentations, users will be able to:

• Comment on a shape or an entire slide to give context to a discussion
• Resolve comments to let collaborators know that they’ve been addressed and to reduce clutter in your presentation
• Send an email notification by adding someone to a comment.

The new version also allows users to give others the ability to comment on their presentations. This app make its easy to get feedback without offering up control on who can edit and make changes.

If interested in converting an existing presentation to the new version of the editor, create a new presentation and import the slides by selecting Import slides from the File menu.

“The Google Apps Reseller program has been a vital component of our business and we are extremely pleased to be recognized as a Premier Reseller,” said Jack Ryan, President of LTech.  ”We are proud of our new status and anticipate continued success in helping SMB and Enterprise customers take advantage of Google Apps.”

Google Apps offers powerful communication and collaboration tools to streamline setup, minimize maintenance, and reduce IT costs for organizations of any size. With Gmail, Google Calendar, integrated IM and video chat, users can stay connected and work together with ease. Google Docs and Google Sites, which include word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and website creation tools, allow users to share files and collaborate in real-time.

The Google Apps Reseller program includes companies globally that sell, service and customize Google Apps for Business for their customers. As a part of the Apps Reseller program, LTech receives training, support and deployment tools from Google, as well as access to APIs for integrating Google Apps into their customers’ business operations.

For more information on LTech’s program please visit ltech.com.

Founded in 2001, LTech is a leading provider of products and services focused on connecting business to the cloud. Our cloud deployment services and enablement products, such as LTech Power Panel for Google Apps and Advanced Single Sign-On for Google Apps, deliver enterprise cloud computing to organizations of all sizes.

As an early Google Enterprise Partner, LTech has successfully completed hundreds of Google Apps deployments and helped develop best-practices for adopting and successfully scaling cloud computing programs for large-scale customers in business, government and education.

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Google, Google Apps, Gmail, Google Talk, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Google Sites and Google Video are trademarks of Google Inc.

With total security and instant recovery from data loss, Google Apps customers no longer need to worry about their backup strategy. Google Apps Backup is designed to backup Gmail accounts, as well as other Google Apps data such as Google Docs, Calendar, Contacts and Sites to enterprise shared storage folders. This tool makes it simple to search lost, deleted, or inaccessible files and restore the content back to the respective Google account.

The benefits include:

• Unlimited Domains for Google Apps for Business
• Automated on-premise backup of Google Apps data
• Offline access to Google Docs and email data
• Complete Security
• No Downtime
• Immediate data restoration to Google account
• Unlimited Storage of archived Gmail and Google Apps data

Learn more about this single click, fully automated software at ltech.com/google-apps/products/backup.

Google began revising the look and feel of their products back in June, a year after updating the design of Google Search. The changes included bolder colors, a more consistent visual experience between devices, and new technologies like HTML5. Since then, Google has been consistently rolling out new features in News, Maps, Translate, Gmail and more. In November, Google revealed a new bar that appears on each of their products with a drop-down menu containing links to Google services that displays when you hover over or click the Google logo. Google encouraged users to start trying out the new look immediately in order to prepare for permanent transitions.

Updates are rolled out on an ongoing basis, with some features offered as an opt-in/opt-out option. The changes are phased in for Google Apps users following the Google App Release Track process.

The makeover came as part of Google’s goal to create the most intuitive user experience possible without sacrificing style.