Geekzone reports that NZ universities are starting to move to Google Apps — where users have Gmail accounts, calendar, documents that they can access from any computer that’s connected to the Internet.

This is a tool that community groups should be thinking about, as Mike Riversdale explained so well in his workshop at the Hamilton Engage Your Community conference.

The benefits of Google Apps are clear: let Google do the heavy lifting of providing disc space, software, backups, anti-virus and anti-spam measures.

Google Apps is available to any individual, group, community organisation or business. Has your group used it? Leave a comment below with your experiences.

Google Apps Education Edition is a suite of Web-based applications that includes Gmail email services, Google Docs online documents, spreadsheets and presentations, Google Calendar shared calendaring, Google Talk instant messaging, Google Sites website creator and the Google Start Page feature for creating a customisable home page on a specific domain. With Google’s search technology built in, Google Apps enables students to easily sort through and find their emails and documents.

Students, staff and alumni at the University of Auckland will be able to access these applications on any computer with an internet connection, as well as share information and collaborate on work with classmates, colleagues and lecturers.

… This shift to Google Apps and online services by New Zealand Universities is part of a trend of schools and businesses embracing “cloud computing” - a move to web-based applications that allows for greater collaboration and access to information. By freeing up IT resources, cloud computing empowers schools to focus on education, rather than IT administration.

[Via : University of Auckland to roll out Google Apps for 50,000 users.]

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Google have a section dedicated to non-profit organisations where they explain all the various tools they have available, and how your organisation can use those tools. Google for Non-Profits lists all the tools, and links to tutorials for all of them.

Note that not all tools are available worldwide yet.

I use many of these tools daily — Gmail, Calendar and Analytics, for example. They can provide a lot of value for community organisations.

Here’s what Google for Non-Profits has to say:

You are changing the world. We want to help.

Learn how to use free Google tools to promote your work, raise money, and operate more efficiently.

Gmail

Save time and resources with free Google-hosted email, customized for your domain

Checkout

Collect donations online and process them for free, with no monthly, setup, or gateway fees

Docs

Create and edit documents online and collaborate in real time with staff and volunteers

Calendar

Organize schedules and publicize events with shared calendars

Analytics

Understand how people find and interact with information on your website

Google Grants

Reach and engage your supporters through free online advertising

YouTube

Broadcast your cause to the world’s largest online video community

Blogger

Publish instantly and keep your supporters informed and engaged

Maps & Earth

Give life to your cause by illustrating its global context

Gadgets

Drive traffic to your website and interact with your supporters more often

Groups

Communicate easily to staff or volunteers and encourage discussions among supporters

[Thanks to Ted Zorn for suggesting this post. ]

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