This FAQ page is to help answer questions about the transition to Google’s mail service (Google Apps).
- Why is MSPCS switching to Google Mail/Google Apps?
- When is this going to happen?
- Will my email address stay the same?
- Will I lose any of my email?
- Am I limited in how much email I can store on Google Mail?
- Will I still be able to use my mail program (Outlook, MacMail, etc)
- Will I still be able to use Webmail?
- Do I have to convert to Google Apps for Education? What if i don’t want to switch?
- I already have a Google/Gmail account, how is this different?
- What can I do to get ready?
1. Why is MSPCS switching to Google Mail/Google Apps?
Our current email server is shared with the church, and space is very limited. Since we currently use Google Drive and Google Calendar, and many people are familiar with Google – this is the perfect choice.
After researching many options, it was decided that Google Apps for Education had the most robust offering to meet the needs of the MSPCS community.
Check out Google’s Google Apps for Education FAQ for more information.
2. When is this going to happen?
We will begin the process October 2016. The final move of all email for all users will be completed by October 28, 2016. By Monday morning October 31, 2016 all users will access their email at https://mail.google.com/a/mspcs.net.
3. Will my email address stay the same?
4. Will I lose any of my email?
If you backed up your email you will have all emails archived before the backup date. We do encourage you to do some basic cleanup to make the transmission simpler. Email Jean at jmilien@mspcs.net if you need help with backing up and restoring your emails.
5. Am I limited in how much email I can store on Google Mail?
Yes, but the limit is very large by email standards, and 15 times large than what we currently have. Each user can store up to 30 GB of content for free (compared to 15 GB with Google Apps free edition or individual consumer accounts). This storage is shared between Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos.
6. Will I still be able to use my mail program (Outlook, MacMail etc)
Yes. In fact, the new system allows IMAP connections which will allow your mobile and web to be synced (our current server does not allow this). You will need some settings changes for it to work properly, but it all work the same way once you’ve made the switch. Additionally to realize the full set of features and administrative functions you will need to use the mail.google.com/a/mspcs.net web interface.
7. Will I still be able to use the old Webmail?
No, the Gmail interface will replace Sitemail. You will still have access to your email on the web, just not with the old Sitemail interface. You you will need to use the new (and much more feature rich) system that Google Apps for Education provides. This can be accessed at https://mail.google.com/a/mspcs.net
8. Do I have to convert to Google Apps for Education? What if I don’t want to switch?
All of our mail is migrating to the new system. There is no option to stay connected to our old mail servers once the transition is complete.
For the most part you will continue to be able to access email any way you choose (via the web, using a client such as Outlook, or Mac Mail), so you may not notice much difference in your email experience.
9. I already have a Google/Gmail account, how is this different?
MSPCS will have distinct Google Apps products. For one: there are no advertisements in Google Apps for education. Also MSPCS may not implement every new feature or App at the same time the consumer side does, so there is a chance a feature you have on your home Gmail account might not appear right away in the MSPCS setting for Google Apps. You will be able to easily switch between your personal google mail and your mspcs google mail account.
10. What can I do to get ready?
Check out our Getting Ready for Google Apps page.
