Google is pushing for the adoption of Google+ as a social business platform, with the addition of new features designed specifically for business.
In an official post on the Google Enterprise blog, product management director for Google Apps, Clay Bavor, says as companies shift to using cloud-based services, Web-based collaboration and social tools are dramatically changing the way people interact.
“Like Google Apps, we think Google+ can help colleagues collaborate more easily and get things done - and get to know each other along the way,” says Bavor.
Google has now officially opened a full preview mode of the Google+ business features for its Apps customers. “During this preview period, organisations that have 'gone Google' will be able to use the business features of Google+ for free through the end of 2013 while we continue to add more features and administrative controls designed for organisations.”
One of the new features for business is improved control over sharing. Bavor says the new 'Restricted Posts' are private for the user's organisation and cannot be re-shared with anyone from outside that organisation.
“At the same time, when you create a post, you have the flexibility to share it with specific partners or colleagues outside the organisation as well if you choose.”
Adding to the controls that are available, Bavor says administrators can now set company-wide defaults for post restrictions. “They can also enable restricted hangouts to facilitate private meetings within the company.”
According to Bavor, the new features for business are just the start and Google will soon roll out a mobile version of Google+ for enterprise users.
Competition in the space is heating up as services like LinkedIn, Yammer (recently acquired by Microsoft) and Salesforce all continue to iterate in an effort to grab the social business market.
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