The IT analyst Rob Enderle says adoption for Google Inbox has not exactly exploded, so business users might want to take a close look at the features and interface changes before committing to using it on a regular basis and on every laptop, desktop, and mobile device.
"This is an optimised offering for professional users," he says. "Google is not good at marketing or even explaining their decisions so this move wasn't received particularly well. So I think the idea was good, and I expect the actual execution of the offering was well thought through, but because it wasn't presented well and, given Google doesn't focus well either, I expect adoption will be below potential. So a focus on professional users is an excellent idea but an inability to present changes and drive usage by Google will likely cripple this offering."
Sherry Chao, a spokesperson for the company Iterable (which makes an email marketing app) says Google Inbox does lead the charge toward more intuitive email processing. She says the features are designed for power users to get more done. Yet, there are some drawbacks. It only works if you already have a Gmail account, and it only works in Chrome or on a mobile device, and seems to be geared more for speedy individual email work than for teams working on projects.
"I think the bundles feature would need to be skewed more to business than personal," Chao says. "I do like how it is more like a task manager now, so if you're not using something like Asana, then Inbox can help manage your to-do list and to remember specific emails."
Deserves a look
Overall, the experts agreed that Google Inbox deserves a serious look if companies have already allowed employees to use Gmail, possibly as a secondary work email. It's a visual improvement, offers plenty of power user options, and improves workflow.
The most serious drawback is that it is not Gmail – users might balk at the redesigned interface, the fact that labels are somewhat hidden in a menu now, and that you have to relearn a few email tricks. If corporate employees get more work done, however, it'll be worth many of those early frustrations.
