Google recently announced a groundbreaking update to its Workspace plans: Gemini AI and their advanced AI tools are now seamlessly integrated into Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, and Enterprise plans. This marks a significant step in Google’s mission to make AI-powered tools accessible to businesses of all sizes, helping them enhance productivity, creativity, and collaboration.
Key Highlights of the Update:
1. AI Features Included in Core Plans
Previously available as part of the Gemini AI add-on, these advanced capabilities are now built into the core Workspace offerings. However, the availability of features varies by plan:
Starter Plan: Includes the Gemini app with enterprise-grade security and privacy, Gemini in Gmail for faster email composition and summarizing, and NotebookLM for enhanced team knowledge sharing.
Standard Plan: Offers all features in the Starter plan, plus Gemini in other Workspace apps such as Docs, Sheets, Slides, Chat, Drive, and Google Vids, a video creation app. This plan also includes NotebookLM Plus for advanced knowledge management and the Gemini Advanced app functionality.
Plus Plan: Includes all features of the Starter and Standard plans, with the addition of AI Security to automatically identify, classify, and label sensitive files across the organization. It also provides advanced NotebookLM Plus capabilities and full Gemini Advanced app functionality.
These features empower businesses to enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and foster innovation across teams.
2. Simplified Pricing
With the inclusion of AI tools, the need for a separate Gemini AI add-on is eliminated. This simplifies billing and often reduces costs for customers who were previously paying for the add-on. However, base Workspace license fees will increase slightly to reflect the added value. Here’s a table comparing the new and old prices for each type of plan:
3. Transition Timeline
For Current Gemini AI Add-on Users: Billing for the Gemini AI add-on will end on January 31, 2025. Any prepaid subscriptions will be prorated, with credits applied to future invoices.
For All Customers: Price updates for Workspace plans will take effect no sooner than March 17, 2025, depending on your billing cycle and plan type. For Annual/Fixed Term billing plans, the price updates will happen only at the end of their current commitment.
How This Impacts Businesses:
The integration of Gemini AI and its tools into core Workspace plans allows businesses to access powerful capabilities without the need for additional purchases or complex configurations. Teams can save time on repetitive tasks, enhance collaboration, and unlock new levels of innovation.
For businesses currently using the Gemini AI add-on, this change represents a cost-saving opportunity. For others, the slight increase in license fees is balanced by the substantial productivity and creativity benefits these tools bring.
Stay Informed:
As your Google Workspace partner, we’re committed to ensuring a smooth transition. We’ll be sharing additional updates in the coming months to help you understand how these changes affect your account. For questions or personalized guidance, please contact your Cloudasta account manager or contact us.
This update is just the beginning of Google’s vision to make AI central to the way businesses work. The future is here—powered by AI, and we’re excited to help you leverage these tools to their fullest potential.