A big part of our business is moving legal clients from in-house Microsoft Exchange to the cloud. When our company does “cloud migrations” we have to decide whether to use Microsoft 365 or Google Apps.
| 365 | Google Apps | |
| Cost | $4 per User | $4 per User |
| Storage | 25GB per user | 25GB per User |
| Outlook 2010,2007 | Yes | Yes |
| Outlook 2011* | Yes | No |
| Direct** Clio Sync | No | Yes |
| Direct** Amicus Sync | N0 | Yes |
| Direct** PCLaw Sync | N0 | No |
| Direct TimeMatters Sync | Yes | No |
| Amicus Cloud | Yes | No |
| Gmail Interface | No | Yes |
| Web Mail | Yes | Yes |
| Easy Migration | Yes | Yes |
* Outlook 2011 is the Mac Version of Microsoft Outlook. It is a pain in the ass to deal with. On my Mac, I run Parallels and Windows Outlook 2010. Another thing to consider, if a program says they have Outlook integration, it means Windows Outlook not Mac Outlook. Hey, if it weren't complicated I would not have a job.
**Direct means that the software syncs via the application and not Outlook. Clio, Amicus and PCLaw all have applications that you can install in Windows Outlook that syncs To Dos, Contacts, and Calendar. For each user that wants to sync you have to install this in Outlook and their computers need to be on and Outlook running for the sync to work. In a Direct Sync Environment, nothing needs to be on. Clio and Amicus support a direct sync with Google Apps. Clio is also working in a Direct Sync with 365. TimeMatters and Amicus Cloud has a direct sync with 365. Direct sync is the way to go.
Still confused? Here are some questions I ask clients during our tech audit:
Are you in a Mac Environment running Outlook 2011?
365
Are you using Clio or Amicus Attorney?
Google Apps
Are your users familiar with Gmail?
Google Apps
Do you hate Microsoft?
Google Apps
Are you running TimeMatters or Amicus Cloud?
365
Do you hate Google?
365

I had some trouble getting my palm to hotsync with TimeMatters. I followed the instructions, but could not get any of the conduits to show up in my hotsync. I finally called TimeMatters Tech Support and scheduled a call back. 15 Minutes later a extremely helpful Support "Tech" returned my call. He sent me a program to run, that completely fixed my issue. So...