FAQs when evaluating Google Apps for your enterprise - Part 2

I keep getting many inquiries from prospective clients who are evaluating Google Apps to migrate from their existing mail systems. Here are some more common questions clients ask when evaluating Google Apps and my answers to them.


What about managed public folders that have an email address? We have a number of folders with email addresses like "info@" and "support@" that only specified staff can access. We also like to set up rules on those public folders so some emails are forwarded to staff.

There are email lists where in mail are forwarded to one or many users. No such option as Public folders.

For public folders there can be a workaround. Create separate ids for each public folders. Also create an email list adding users who have to access this public folder (again for each public folder). Then create a filter in email id and assign a tag (name of that public folder) and forward the mail to mailing list. This way mail will be delivered to all users with the tag of public folder. Alternatively the content of mail can be shared though Google docs.



Resource scheduling for rooms and equipment. How to do that?

Resource feature is available in Premier version.

However in Standard version you have a workaround to achieve same (Google may not like it). Each resource is created as a secondary calendar and scheduled in auto accept mode.

www.google.com/.../answer.py

What about delegated access. Can I "send as" as a specified email address (like "info@...")? Can I delegate control of my inbox to a secretary?

You can add multiple accounts in your id and use "send as". I am not sure of delegate feature available as yet - however it will not be a long time when this is implemented.


Can I get access easily to a ex-employee's inbox?

Passwords are set and reset by admin user and hence ex employee mail box can be accessed.



What about email restore? If somebody accidentally deletes old emails can I restore them? Can I restore an old employee's inbox from a year ago?

Google keeps the trash for three months only. So for standard version users that is the time available to recover (if you have not emptied your trash)

Postini - Policy Management and Recovery is an additional service with Google Apps Premier Edition (GAPE) which will help you in doing exactly same.