Google doesn’t usually do things on the quiet tip. This time, however, proves to be the exception. The company has recently rolled out an update to help with migration to Microsoft Exchange via their Google Apps service. Here are some details.

1. IMAP support - Google says that with this ability, systems like Novell Groupwise open up for Google Apps migration, too. It means that they’re no longer just going after Microsoft directly. It can also be used to migrate between Google Apps accounts, if that comes up.
2. PST support – Administrators can migrate PST files on behalf of users once everything’s in one place. Potentially a handy capability.
3. Better support for hosted Exchange - This is the big Kahuna: now Google isn’t merely going after on-premise Microsoft Exchange deployments anymore. Just run the tool on your local servers, no intervention by your current hosted Exchange provider required. MSPs should take note of how this could be used for moving over companies who have already been sold on the benefits of SaaS but are ready to go over to Google.

These changes don’t seem like much on e-paper, but they will certainly improve the lives of users of both services.