There are a number of Google Apps purists that would ask the question: “Why on earth would you want to Sync Gmail with Outlook?”
Yet for a number of schools managing the process of changing over to Google Apps, migrating teachers off outlook to using Gmail through their browser is too much change too quickly.
If you find yourself in this situation, you can easily sync Gmail with outlook allowing your staff work with the email interface that they are accustomed to whilst enjoying the cost savings, reliability and increased security that Gmail provides.
THE FOLLOWING SHORT VIDEO EXPLAINS THE CONCEPT & SHOWS YOU THE PROCESS:
USE THIS TOOL TO SYNC GMAIL WITH OUTLOOK:
To migrate your data off your server and into your Google account you need to use the Google Apps Sync for Microsoft Outlook tool.
When using the tool, you can decide what data you would like to transfer (contacts, calendars, emails, notes)
You can access the tool here: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/outlookmigration
SHOULD YOU SWAP OVER TO USING GMAIL THROUGH YOUR BROWSER?
There are a number of benefits of using your browser to manage your email, calendars, contacts etc.
- You can tag your emails rather than storing them in folders (this is such a game changer – especially when you combine this with your filters)
- You can access the search feature built into Gmail (what a massive time saver)
- Conversation view is fantastic for keeping all your emails organised
- You can take advantage of Google chat
- You can easily incorporate your Google Docs
To just name a few
There have been a number of instances where schools have forced their staff to ditch outlook which has resulted in the staff becoming resistant to adapting to other changes at a later date.
My suggestion would be to go slowly, migrate your data, and then start to show your staff the advantages of using Gmail through their browser.
As always, training is the key!
