2. Google Drive

Google’s file storage and synchronization service was released on April 24, 2012, at least six years after rumors about the product first began circulating. Google’s official announcement described Google Drive as “a place where you can create, share, collaborate, and keep all of your stuff.”

With Google Drive, users can upload any type of files to the cloud, share them with others, and access them from any computer, tablet, or smartphone. Users can easily sync files between their computer and the cloud with a desktop application for Mac and PC. This app puts a special folder on their computer and all changes made to files sync across Drive, on the web and across devices. The consumer version of Google Drive includes 15 GB of storage shared across Gmail, Drive and Google+ Photos.

When offered as part of Google Apps for Work, Google Drive comes with additional features designed for business use. These include:

• Either 30 GB or unlimited storage shared with Gmail, depending on the plan

• 24/7 customer support

• Sharing controls that keep files private until customers decide to share them

• Advanced audit and reporting

2. Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms

Google Apps includes online editors for creating text documents or document file format, spreadsheets, presentations, and surveys. The set of tools was first released on October 11, 2006, as Google Docs & Spreadsheets.

Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms work within any web browser or on any web-enabled mobile devices. Documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and surveys can be shared, commented on, and co-edited in real time. Additional features include unlimited revision history that keep all changes safe in one place and offline access that lets people work on their documents without internet connection.

On June 25, 2014, Google introduced native editing for Microsoft Office files in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Echoing similar remarks in other articles, a Mashable journalist wrote, “Google is clearly positioning its apps as a more affordable solution for companies that need to occasionally edit Office files.”

7.4 Google Sites

Introduced on February 28, 2008, Google Sites allows people to create and edit web pages even if they are not familiar with HTML or web design. People can build sites from scratch or with templates, upload content such as photos and videos, and control access permissions by choosing who can view and edit each page.

Google Sites launched as part of the paid Google Apps suite but soon became available to consumers as well. Business customers use Google Sites to build project sites, company intranets, and public-facing sites.

7.5 Google Calendar

Designed to integrate with Gmail, Google’s online calendar service launched to consumers on April 13, 2006. It uses the iCal standard to work with other calendar applications.

Google’s online calendar is an integrated online, shareable calendar designed for teams. Businesses can create specific team calendars and share them company wide. Calendars can be delegated to another person to manage a specific calendar and events. People can also use Google Calendar to see if meeting rooms or shared resources are free, and add them to events.

Helpful features of Google Calendar include:

Share calendars with teammates and others to check availability

Overlay teammates’ calendars into a single view to find a time when everyone is available

Use the mobile app or synchronize with the built-in calendar on mobile devices

Publishing of calendars to the web, and integration into Google Sites

Simple migration from Exchange, Outlook, or iCal, or from .ics and .csv files

Book shared rooms and resources