Google Glass Won’t Work in the Enterprise: 10 Reasons Why

by Don Reisinger

Although there may be business applications for Glass at some point down the road, for now, Google is focusing solely on marketing the device to consumers. And enterprise users should take notice of that: At least for now, they’re not important.

Some are saying developers could create apps that would make it valuable to enterprise users. Google, however, isn’t showing it’s willing to open Google Glass up to such development. So until Google changes course and developers see some enterprise adoption, it’s unlikely too many programs will be coming to the device with eyes on office productivity.

Let’s face it: Google isn’t the most enterprise-friendly company in the world. The company’s mobile platform, Android, is a security mess. And only recently have we started seeing an uptick in Android use in the enterprise. Since Google Glass will be heavily integrated with Android, companies will need to hit critical mass in terms of their adoption of Google smartphones and tablets before it becomes practical to buy Glass.

When it’s all said and done, CIOs and IT decision-makers want to see true value in a product. Looking at Google Glass, it’s hard to see that. The device will likely cost quite a bit, and it has shown nothing yet that indicates it is appealing to corporate users.

Google is projecting that Glass will work well with and complement Android. But as mentioned earlier, Android has yet to prove that it’s something that enterprise customers want on a grand scale. While more companies are moving to Android, they’re finding that security is lacking, and employees can’t be trusted not to download apps from third-party services. Android fragmentation has also concerned CIOs. All of that needs to be figured out before IT decision-makers will jump into yet another Google product.

The best reason supporters give for bringing Google Glass into the enterprise is its integration of Google Maps. The functionality will be ideal in an increasingly mobile workforce, they claim. Do those same people forget that Google Maps is already running on smartphones, tablets, PCs and all of the other products that employees are already using? Do employees really need Glass for a function their other devices are already performing?

In a world where IT budgets are being hit hard, it doesn’t make sense for the enterprise to spend money on a first-generation product that could cost several hundred, if not over a thousand, dollars at launch. Companies need to conserve cash right now, not spend it.

One of the most important things about business that has never and will never change is appearance. Companies want their employees to look competent and capable when meeting with clients. Would wearing Google’s funky glasses really follow that general rule?

Google Glass’ security has yet to be tested. And that’s a problem for corporate customers. Companies want to know that a new system is secure before they deploy it. And there is also the issue of employees and visitors wandering around their premises taking photos or videos of equipment, documents, meetings or working conditions.

Judging by Glass’ somewhat disappointing specs, including little storage and a lack of mobile data connections, it’s highly likely that Google will have a rapid refresh cycle on the device. The enterprise, however, prefers longer refresh times to eventually see a positive ROI on products it purchases. That won’t happen with Google Glass. And that will spell the death knell for the technology’s prospects in the enterprise.