Although Google Docs users are already able to store and share any files (including Microsoft Office ones), DocVerse, as an Office plug-in, adds the functionality of allowing users to collaborate directly on Office documents. This basically equates to enabling real-time sharing and editing of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files.

 

“DocVerse is a small, nimble team of talented developers who share our vision, and they’ve enabled true collaboration right within Microsoft Office,” explained Jonathan Rochelle, group product manager of the Google Apps team in a post on the Official Google Enterprise Blog. “With DocVerse, people can begin to experience some of the benefits of web-based collaboration using the traditional Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint desktop applications.”

 

Current DocVerse users can use the tool as usual, but new users won’t be able to sign up for DocVerse just yet until such time as “[Google is] ready to share what’s next,” Rochelle stated.