Google expands Docs to include multi format files for online storage

In a blogpost,  Vijay Bangaru, Product Manager, Google Docs said Google Docs now supports files up to 250 MB in size, which is larger than the attachment limit on most email applications. “You’ll be able to backup large graphics files, RAW photos, ZIP archives and much more to the cloud. More importantly, instead of carrying a USB drive, you can now use Google Docs as a more convenient option for accessing your files on different computers,” he said.

This online feature packs more of a punch as Google allows for online collaborations on these files. “This feature can also help you work with teams to organize and collaborate on information online. For example, an architect can share large schematic files with her construction firm, while a P.T.A. member can share large graphic files for posters with other members. You can even add these files to the same shared project folder your team has already been using to collaborate on documents and spreadsheets,” the blogpost reads.

In addition to the ability of uploading any file into Google Docs, Google Apps Premier Edition customers would soon be able to seamlessly upload many files at once and sync them with their desktop in real time using third party applications. With 1 GB of storage per user, files can be up to 250 MB in size. Combined with shared folders in Google Docs, the upload feature will allow for collaboration on files with coworkers and external parties. Designed to replace cumbersome email attachments, files uploaded to a shared folder can allow coworkers to access and edit them at a single place. “You can even have your sales team securely share contracts with external clients for review,” Google wrote on its Google Enterprise Blog.

Google Apps Premier Edition users can also use the Google Documents List Data API to upload files in batch, or purchase applications offered by third parties that enable you to migrate and sync your files to Google Docs, such as:

• Memeo Connect for Google Apps is a new desktop application that offers an easy way to access, migrate, and synchronize files to Google Docs across multiple computers. (PC and Mac)
• Syncplicity offers businesses automated back-up and file management with Google Docs. (PC)
• Manymoon is an online project management platform that makes it simple to organize and share tasks and documents with coworkers and partners, including uploading files to Google Docs.

This feature would soon be enabled for Google accounts over the coming weeks, and would be visible through the  bubble notification when signing in to Google Docs.