Advantages of online office applications

One of the most obvious advantages to using online office applications is the cost. Compared to buying software and paying licensing fees, server and storage fees, and a myriad of other nickel and diming, online office applications are a real bargain. What I'd like to talk about are some of the other advantages that you may not realize.

• One of my favorite reasons to use online apps is that I usually don't have to be a techno-geek, or hire one to use some very powerful software. Developers are trying to get away from a developer mindset and focus on user-friendly, intuitive applications. Also, most updates are automatic, meaning I can spend time working with content, not learning more new stuff!
• I can usually work with applications anytime, from anywhere. And the best part is that for some applications, you don't even have to be online. You do your work, and then the next time you sign in, your work is automatically synced.
  
• I love having the ability to collaborate on documents with other users. Especially spreadsheets. You can have several people working on the same document at the same time using different colors. And you don't even have to remember which is the latest, greatest, real final document. The one you save is THE document...ha, unless you don't want it to be! Previous revisions and versions can be found and made THE document. How cool is that? Remember using software where you never knew which version was the one you really needed? Those days are over.
  
• I can use most online applications with existing programs. Google Apps allows you to work on and save documents in a variety of formats. You should find one that is just right for you.
• Security is a high priority for online application developers. They know that you will not use their software if you don't have confidence in their security efforts. Most support SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). Remember when you had to pay extra for that too?
• Privacy is also a huge concern for most people. Nobody wants their sensitive information out in Internet Cloud Land. I think most companies are making a serious effort and doing a good job with keeping your information secure.
  

Well, those are a few of the reasons that I like and use online office applications. How about you...why do you use or not use programs like Google Apps, ZOHO, and Microsoft Equipt?

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