14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is little impressed with an Office plug-in released by Google, although some were quick to applaud it as a threat to dominance of the Redmond company’s productivity suite. While in beta stage, Google Cloud Connect did have a range of problems, which was somewhat to be expected from a product still in development.
But as Google wrapped up Cloud Connect and released it to customers, the Redmond company took a look at the Office plug-in and provided a list of why users should steer clear of the extension.
According to Microsoft’s Tony Tai, Cloud Connect can lead to loss of data and productivity, while forcing users to reduce the Office functionality they can leverage. The software giant also warned that there are security and privacy concerns for customers to be aware of when opting to use Cloud Connect.
“The basic process of setting a document up for sharing with Cloud Connect is a multi-step process and is not intuitive for most users. Not all features or file types work with Cloud Connect. As a result, it often leads to unexpected errors,” Tai said.
He also mentions that Google warns of negative impact on performance when using Cloud Connect and notes that simultaneous editing can produce syncing errors and even generate data loss.
In Tai’s view, the limited support that Google Cloud Connect has for specific Office features and functionality, is also a drawback. He indicates that users would not be able to leverage Track Changes, conditional formatting, sort settings, table styles, slide transitions, sounds, print settings, etc.
Tai also points out that Google recommends Office add-ins be switched off in order to not generate conflicts, or erratic behavior.
“The best attempt to reduce syncing errors with Cloud Connect is to set up the add-in for automatic syncing,” tai adds.
“When automatic syncing is turned on, all Office files that are opened and saved are automatically synced with your Google Docs list which is stored on Google's servers. Unless you change the default setting, anyone in your domain can find and access your document.
“This kind of approach to privacy and security are simply unacceptable to the majority of business users.”
Of course, Microsoft’s answer to Cloud Connect is to have Office users also embrace Office Web Apps the Cloud component of the productivity suite.
Office Product Manager Jennifer Kensok provided a comparison of the same Excel document in Office Web Apps and in Google Docs pointing out that Microsoft’s service is superior.