Over the last few years I have seen an increasing business need to incorporate cost effective communication tools to keep mobile workforces connected. I rarely go through a day without someone asking me how to increase collaboration with their virtual workforce, without increasing costs due to equipment, training, or software fees. I love this question because I get to highlight that as a Google Apps for Work customer they already have the communication tools they need to connect their staff via Google Hangouts, without adding any additional costs.
Google Hangouts is not just one tool, it’s a collection of integrated tools, that include:
Free HD Video Conferencing with Google for Work (GFW), that when enabled by your Google administrator can be quickly started from chat window or through a calendar invite, allowing you to screen share and present from your screen to other users.
- Hangouts are secure, your conversations and your video are encrypted.
- Hangouts on air, is a great marketing tool you can use to showcase your brand online, or to demo products and help train customers or staff.
- Make phone calls – Most phone calls are free within the US and Canada, with very low International calling rates. *Admins be sure to enable voice for your domain via admin console
- Organization Administration Controls – Enable Hangouts Video Calls,, Chat, External Guest access, test and explore features.
- Add Google Hangouts to Mobile devices – Android and IOS.
- You can add Hangout abilities to Microsoft Outlook meetings via the Outlook Plugin.
- You can integrate non-Google systems like VidyoH20 and BlueJeans for Hangouts.
- There are also fun or productivity Apps you can add in Google Hangouts.
- Share links , Websites, or Google drive files using Google Hangouts.
Google Hangouts improve Collaboration and Communication, providing significant cost savings $$$$
Using Google Hangouts allows your staff to work from any device anywhere, they can be at the Airport on a Hangout via their cell, be at home on their personal desktop, or be at the office on their laptop, no matter where they are or what device they are using, they are able to connect and collaborate.
- A recent Forrester Total Economic Impact study of Google Apps for Work (June 2015) stated that Hangouts transformed how people communicate and meet. “Organizational managers can train, assess, and provide feedback to employees without having to travel on-site. The composite organization experienced travel reductions of 12 trips per manager per year, leading to $2.4 million in annual savings.”
- A new telephony solution resulted in legacy telephony cost savings of $3,195,713. Google Hangouts provides the communication platform for conferencing and calling, leading to a reduction in telephone services and reduced conferencing services.
* The composite organization, 6 existing Google Apps for Work Customers with an average of 10,000 Google Apps for Work users over a 3 year period.
