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How We Use AI for Data Enrichment

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If you receive our newsletter or follow our blog, you’ve likely seen our recent posts and resources regarding proper AI usage. Our use of AI needs to be more than compliant with laws, regulations, and contractual obligations. We must be responsible and accountable for ensuring that our use of AI is both ethical and respectful to the individuals and organizations with whom we interact.

Our Commitment Includes Transparency and Security

At Cumulus Global, our commitment to ethical and appropriate use of AI includes transparency in why, when, and how we use AI services.

Any data we process through these AI tools is protected under our strict internal security protocols, ensuring your information remains secure, confidential, and never sold to outside parties.

Where We Use AI for Data Enrichment

As with most businesses, accurate information about clients, vendors, and partners is essential for managing services and communications. Data enrichment is a vital part of this process.

By definition, data enrichment is the process of updating information by filling in missing data or collecting new, relevant details.

We are currently piloting AI-powered tools to help us enrich the data we store about individuals and organizations. Doing so will give us better context for managing client relationships and for focusing our marketing and sales communications to those most likely to be interested.

Cumulus Global runs much of our operations using HubSpot, including our marketing, sales, and service functions. HubSpot features several tools (some of which use AI) to verify and update data elements in contact and company records.

Connect with a Cloud AdvisorHubSpot Breeze AI

Breeze AI is a service within HubSpot that offers data enrichment services by using the HubSpot Commercial Dataset to fill in missing fields.

Similar to commercial products like ZoomInfo, Cleanlist, Apollo, the HubSpot Commercial Dataset gathers publicly available information directly from individuals, as well as from third parties where a legal basis exists to process the information. However, unlike these other services, we cannot use HubSpot to identify new potential customers. We can only use the service to fill in missing information within our existing customer or company contact records.

Much of what the service provides involves common missing information, such as countries for addresses, country prefixes for phone numbers, and job titles. The AI component analyzes this information alongside the data we already have to provide further context, such as job function and authority. For example, a record may be updated to reflect a contact’s role as a senior manager in an operations department. The AI service also cross-references opt-outs and other verifications to help ensure we do not send you unwanted messages.

LinkedIn Integration

When a person or an organization is added to our database, HubSpot will, if possible, match the information to the person’s public LinkedIn profile or a company’s public page. HubSpot scans these public profiles and pages to fill in basic information, such as job titles, website domains, and employee counts.

You Are in Control

You are always able to manage how much of your information is shared.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn has several settings that allow you to extensively limit what the platform shares. You can review and manage these settings through your LinkedIn account.

HubSpot Commercial Dataset

HubSpot, like ZoomInfo and other data aggregators, provides the ability on its website to delete your data from the HubSpot Commercial Dataset. Doing so serves as an opt-out of the “sale” of data under relevant laws. Cumulus Global is immediately notified, and any data used to enrich our records is removed.

Cumulus Global

We do not share information other than as needed to provide our services to you and your company. You can manage which types of communications you receive from us by using the “Manage Preferences” link at the bottom of all of our automated emails.

We Are Here to Help

If at any time, you have questions or concerns, please send us an email or use the chat box or contact form on our website.

About the Author

Allen Falcon is the co-founder and CEO of Cumulus Global.  Allen co-founded Cumulus Global in 2006 to offer small businesses enterprise-grade email security and compliance using emerging cloud solutions. He has led the company’s growth into a managed cloud service provider with over 1,000 customers throughout North America.

Avoid Unrealistic AI Expectations

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The initial AI hype is wearing off, and a growing backlash is setting in. Now, your plans and investments need to reflect what’s actually happening.

As recently reported in Inc., a Boston Consulting Group (BCG) study found significant gaps between AI expectations and reality.

Leadership expectations for AI do not match the messy reality of rolling the technology out to frontline workers and managers. And while the study focused on larger enterprises, these challenges apply directly to small and midsize organizations.

The AI Gap

Gaps between expectations and reality manifest in three key areas:

1Expected ROI

Many businesses are investing heavily in AI but aren’t seeing the promised returns yet. The BCG study shows only 20% of leaders feel their adoption rate is correct. The other 80% feel they’re moving too slowly or inconsistently.

The study attributes this to the AI hype cycle and a limited understanding of AI among non-technical business leaders. Fear of missing out (FOMO) is driving urgency rather than clear strategic goals.

2Trust

Business leaders trust AI more than frontline workers and managers. While leadership sees pure potential, the employees using the tools are highly skeptical. Many worry that working with AI tools is just training their eventual replacements.

3Training

Executives and upper management want quick AI adoption, but their staff commonly struggle with when and how to use these new tools. The study notes that AI leadership is often unclear, leading to conflicting expectations and priorities. Your team needs hands-on training to integrate AI into their workflows, along with an easy way to provide feedback.

Steps You Should Take

Given the gaps and their potential to slow or halt AI efforts, we recommend you take the following five steps for your AI projects and efforts.

1)Create an AI
Appropriate Use Policy

A robust AI Appropriate Use Policy creates a foundation for why, when, and how your team uses AI. It also sets solid expectations for data security, privacy, and governance.

2)Define and Share your
AI Goals and Strategy

Communication builds trust. When you share your AI goals and strategies, your team will understand how AI supports their daily work. This sets healthy boundaries and removes the fear of the unknown.

3)Clearly Establish AI
Leadership and Governance

Consistent direction, priorities, and expectations reduce friction while creating predictable results. Top-down leadership provides a uniform approach that demonstrates your commitment to responsible AI usage.

4)Identify and Focus on
Specific Use Cases

AI for the sake of AI will fail. Look closely at your daily workflows, especially repetitive or data-intensive tasks, and define clear use cases. Pinpoint your desired outcomes so that you can easily review and refine the rollout.

5)Setup and Follow a
Change Management Process 

Don’t just let AI happen. Instead, make it happen. Treat your transition to AI like any other mission-critical project. Regular updates, feedback loops, and clear timelines will help you stay ahead of issues. Your team will be able to spot and fix problems before they stall your progress. 

Help is Here

We are here to help you succeed.  If you want to learn more, check out our AI Landing Zone, send us a message, or book a meeting with our Cloud Advisors.

About the Author

Bill Seybolt bio pictureBill is a Senior Cloud Advisor responsible for helping small and midsize organizations with productive, security, and secure managed cloud services. Bill works with executives, leaders, and team members to understand workflows, identify strategic goals and tactical requirements, and design solutions and implementation phases. Having helped hundreds of organizations successfully adopt cloud solutions, his expertise and working style ensure a comfortable experience and effective change management.

Gemini, Copilot, or ChatGPT? What You Want to Know

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Earlier this month, we surveyed our clients about the AI services they use regularly. The results show that a majority of respondents prioritize the AI services included within their existing productivity suites.

Of more than 50 respondents:

  • 57% use Gemini for Google Workspace (including the Gemini App, Gems, and NotebookLM)
  • 55% use Microsoft Copilot
  • 51% use stand-alone AI services, such as ChatGPT, Claude, and/or Grok
  • 12% use Gemini Enterprise

While stand-alone service adoption is slightly lower, many companies officially use more than one solution:

  • 33% use Gemini AI and at least one stand-alone service.
  • 33% use Microsoft Copilot and at least one stand-alone service.

As you evaluate your AI needs, consider these strategic factors:

Secure Your Baseline

Maintain control and security over your data before you begin your AI journey. You need to ensure that individuals using AI cannot access information beyond their specific responsibilities. Additionally, you also want to confirm that your data is not used to train or populate learning models beyond your internal systems.

This data governance is critical for maintaining compliance with regulatory, industry, and contractual requirements for data protection.

Understanding how each AI tool or service integrates with your identity, access, and security services helps you select solutions that will protect your business.

Start Simple

Before diving into multiple new solutions, explore and take advantage of the AI services embedded in your current IT systems and applications.

Microsoft Copilot and Gemini for Google Workspace each offer a robust suite of services. You may not need to make additional investments in other tools. Additionally, both platforms integrate directly with your email, documents, spreadsheets, and meetings, as well as other applications within your suite.

Leveraging these services lets you avoid the cost and complexity of third party integrations. For example, both Gemini and Copilot provide excellent transcription and note-taking services for Google Meet and Microsoft Teams meetings, respectively.

Dive DeepConnect with a Cloud Advisor

Before adding third party AI services and tools, make sure to explore and pilot the capabilities already at your fingertips.

For instance, Gemini AI for Google Workspace includes:

  • The Gemini App (gemini.google.com): Provides prompt response using public information and secure access to your content in Google Workspace. It also supports advanced image creation and manipulation, Deep Research tools, and short video creation.
  • Gems: Customized Gen AI chat agents with defined personas and objectives
  • Scheduled Actions: Automation for repetitive AI actions
  • NotebookLM: creates private, secure learning models using your data and select public information.

Define Use Cases

As part of your exploration, identify use cases where AI integration provides tangible benefits.

For each use case, define the opportunity, workflows, process changes, and desired outcomes.

These use cases provide you with a framework to test AI services and solutions, and they will help you identify the individuals and teams that will be impacted by AI adoption. These people will require training and should participate in your AI pilot projects.

Be Selective

If you cannot address use cases with your integrated and embedded AI services, focus your search on AI tools and services appropriate for your use cases.

Before selecting a tool, vet its ability to integrate with your existing applications, systems, and security. Keep in mind that every additional application introduces administrative overhead and security constraints.

Balance the added effort and costs against the potential outcomes to ensure that the tool delivers true value to your business.

Help is Here

Visit our AI Landing Zone for a range of resources to help you plan, manage, and secure your AI services.

Our Cloud Advisors can also provide the guidance and assistance you need to plan and execute your AI strategy. Send us an email or book a brief introductory call. We are here to help.

About the Author

Bill Seybolt bio pictureBill is a Senior Cloud Advisor responsible for helping small and midsize organizations with productive, security, and secure managed cloud services. Bill works with executives, leaders, and team members to understand workflows, identify strategic goals and tactical requirements, and design solutions and implementation phases. Having helped hundreds of organizations successfully adopt cloud solutions, his expertise and working style ensure a comfortable experience and effective change management.

Prevent AI Data Leaks with the Right Tools

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As leaders of small and midsize organizations, we need to operate efficiently and effectively within a range of security constraints. Laws, regulations, industry standards, and contractual obligations set expectations and, in most cases, impose requirements on how we manage and run our business and IT. Now, artificial intelligence (AI) adds a new layer of security challenges.

AI is most effective when it has access to a broad range of relevant information. However, that access must be carefully limited to authorized users, creating a delicate balancing act.

AI data leaks occur when AI tools and systems expose information to unauthorized users or share it inappropriately. These leaks can happen internally or externally, and may be accidental or intentional.

Preventing AI data leaks requires actively governing permissions and access, along with choosing AI tools that align with your security and privacy requirements.

Setup AI Data Governance

The days of “set and forget” permissions are over. At the macro level, AI data governance requires actively managing access controls and permissions settings.

Begin by reviewing and auditing your current access controls and permissions settings. It is common for users to rely on default sharing settings or to adjust permissions for convenience, often extending access inappropriately. While people may not actively search for and find private information, AI will.

Running an audit tool and resetting permissions can help close these gaps and provide a fresh starting point. Once permissions are properly configured, advanced security tools enable ongoing monitoring to identify new threats as they emerge. These tools can notify users and administrators of potential issues and modify permission changes to reduce risk.

Pick Secure AI Tools

With data access controls and permissions properly secured, the next step is ensuring that the AI tools and systems you use do not put your data at risk.

When selecting AI tools, look for the following attributes:Connect with a Cloud Advisor

1. Adheres to Security Standards

Include security as a critical criteria when selecting your AI tools and systems. Verify that the AI tools you pick adhere to industry and regulatory security standards.

2. Does NOT Train Models Without Permission

Never use an AI tool that trains their models without your permission. These tools effectively absorb anything you input and incorporate it into their models, potentially exposing your data to other users.

3. Does NOT Allow Human Data Review Outside Your Domain

Avoid AI tools and systems that allow humans outside of your organization to see or use data you have entered into the system. Even if these systems are not using your data to train their models, if others can see it, then it is not secure.

4. Does NOT Sell or Use Data for Other Purposes

Choose AI tools and systems that do not sell or use your data for purposes beyond providing the service. Outside of training, some AI tools mine data for sale to others for research, marketing, and other purposes.

The general rule of thumb is: If you pay, your data is private. If the tool is free, so is your data.

However, some paid AI tools still include terms and conditions that allow data collection and usage. Before moving forward with any AI tool or system, always check the fine print.

How We Help

Schedule an intro meeting with one of our Cloud Advisors. Our team can discuss how you can assess your risk, create effective policies, and select tools that deliver productive, secure, and affordable AI solutions. The meeting is free and without obligation.

About the Author

Bill Seybolt bio pictureBill is a Senior Cloud Advisor responsible for helping small and midsize organizations with productive, security, and secure managed cloud services. Bill works with executives, leaders, and team members to understand workflows, identify strategic goals and tactical requirements, and design solutions and implementation phases. Having helped hundreds of organizations successfully adopt cloud solutions, his expertise and working style ensure a comfortable experience and effective change management.

Turn AI Prompts Into Business Outcomes

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving rapidly, providing you with powerful tools that can transform how your organization operates. By integrating it into your daily workflows, you can make smarter decisions and streamline tasks that once took significant time to complete. Over time, AI will produce measurable results that are easy to track and analyze.

How AI Can Work for You

You get the most value from AI when you apply it to targeted, repeatable processes that address real business needs. For example, regularly analyzing meeting transcripts with AI can uncover actionable insights and identify trends that guide your business strategy.

AI can also assist in creating communications and marketing content that reflect your brand’s voice. Moreover, it can generate structured agendas or talking points for sales conversations, allowing you to emphasize client relationships and highlight your business’s strengths.

By making AI a regular part of your workflows, you can continuously refine outputs and achieve more accurate results over time.

Getting Started with AI

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For those just starting out with AI, begin with smaller projects. For example, try using AI to automate follow-ups or analyze customer feedback. These use cases will help your team become familiar with AI while still delivering immediate impact. Over time, incorporate AI into more complex processes.

Give your organization the opportunity to explore its full potential without disrupting daily operations.

You should regularly monitor AI outputs to make sure that the technology and uses align with your goals. Tracking data usage also helps you keep information secure and will help maintain trust.

Crafting Effective Prompts

Once you are familiar with AI, you can unlock its full potential by providing clear context and direction. You and your team should know how to craft a prompt that helps AI fully understand your objectives and your voice.

A strong prompt includes the following elements:

  1. Persona: Decide the role you want AI to take on. Defining a persona helps shape the perspective, tone, and level of expertise AI uses in its response.
  2. Backstory: Share context about your business, your customers, and the tone or results you expect.
  3. Task: Be specific about what you want AI to produce. Include your brand voice, target audience, and any formatting preferences.

For example, you might ask AI to take on the persona of a knowledgeable and approachable communications expert. Then, provide it with the backstory of your company and set a confident, friendly tone aimed at small business owners. Finally, be clear about the task, such as writing a professional announcement in your brand voice. Be sure to include any formatting preferences, like short paragraphs for easy readability.

Using AI Responsibly

In order to adopt AI responsibly, pay careful attention to sensitive business and client information. Selecting AI tools that meet strong standards for privacy, security, and compliance helps you protect this information and maintain trust with your clients and stakeholders. Beyond selecting the right tools, establish clear protocols to guide your team’s use of AI.

Your policies should:

  1. Define safe usage: Clearly outline how AI should be used across your organization. Clear safe usage guidelines prevent misuse and ensures your team can confidently rely on AI.
  2. Ensure compliance with regulations: Establish rules that keep your organization aligned with legal, industry standards, and contractual obligations. These rules should address the protection of sensitive client information, along with adherence to data privacy laws and governance policies.
  3. Encourage creative applications: Support your team in exploring innovative approaches to problem-solving. Creative applications and use cases allow your organization to maximize the benefits of AI while generating tangible results.

AI is a powerful tool that can enhance business processes and strengthen client relationships. When it is used properly, your organization can achieve meaningful and lasting results.

How We Help

You can dive deeper into crafting effective prompts by viewing our November 2025 3T@3 Series session, “How To: Better AI Results” and several eBooks and other resources in our Resource Center. Our Cloud Advisors are here to help you plan, execute, and succeed. Book some time and start your journey.

About the Author

Allen Falcon is the co-founder and CEO of Cumulus Global.  Allen co-founded Cumulus Global in 2006 to offer small businesses enterprise-grade email security and compliance using emerging cloud solutions. He has led the company’s growth into a managed cloud service provider with over 1,000 customers throughout North America.

A 5-Step Strategy for Responsible AI

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5-Step Strategy for Responsible AI

AI is changing how our businesses operate and compete. As we rely more on AI, having strong governance is essential to ensure our AI tools are used securely, ethically, and responsibly. Our use of AI should align with your company’s values and regulatory standards.

By setting clear policies and accountability, you can reduce risks like data breaches, ethical issues, and noncompliance. Strong governance also prevents unauthorized AI use, making sure that every AI activity supports your business goals.

1 Create Comprehensive AI Use Policies

Unauthorized AI use, or Shadow AI, creates serious risks for your business. To manage Shadow AI and other risks, you need visibility, control, and guidance for your team. A well-crafted AI Usage Policy reduces the chance of mistakes or misuse and helps you responsibly manage AI usage.

Your AI usage policies should:

  • Define allowed and unallowed use of AI as a tool/resource
  • Outline principles for ethical and appropriate use
  • Specify security guidelines to ensure data protection and compliance with regulations, industry standards, and contractual obligations

Your policies should also clearly state:

  • How your team should handle your company data
  • How your team should handle and protect third party data
  • Which AI tools are approved
  • When and how team members may use external AI resources

2 Implement and Monitor Controls

Implementing access controls and monitoring systems helps you identify when AI tools are being used outside approved channels.

Create processes for:

  • Your team to request access to AI tools and services
  • Evaluating requested tools for applicable use cases, usability, security, and cost
  • Deploying new AI tools and services, including education and training

Periodically audit your environment to spot unauthorized applications before they create problems. 

Work with your team to move to authorized AI tools that provide the same capabilities or review and select a solution you can secure and support.

3 Ensure Legal and Regulatory Compliance

Compliance is a key aspect of responsible AI use. Your AI practices need to follow data privacy laws, industry regulations, and contractual obligations. 

Begin by identifying and reviewing relevant laws, industry standards, and contractual obligations related to data privacy. Identify any specific conditions or requirements related to the use of AI services.

You want to be able to demonstrate and document your compliance. Review the security compliance certifications and practices of your AI services and tools. Collect the necessary information, including how your AI tools collect, store, and use data. 

Regular audits will help catch potential issues, particularly with Shadow AI. 

Stay current with evolving legislation to ensure that your AI practices remain compliant over time.

4 Prioritize Ethical AI Practices

Ethical AI builds trust and protects your reputation. When you prioritize ethics, you show that your business values integrity and fairness, strengthening relationships with clients and stakeholders.

  • Regularly review your AI models and the data they use to remove bias and ensure transparency in decision-making. In addition to bias detection and mitigation, AI training should include diverse data sources and that results are not skewed by inherent biases.
  • Make sure your AI is fair, explainable, and accountable, so your team and clients can trust its outcomes. AI tools should articulate results and decisions in human-understandable terms. People need to be able to understand the rationale behind the AI results.
  • Ensure you have human judgement and intervention at every stage of your AI journey. Clear lines of responsibility provide accountability. Human review prevents over-use of AI, particularly in decision-making. Encourage feedback from employees, clients, and other stakeholders.

5 Train and Support Your Team

Your AI strategy will only succeed if your team knows how to use AI safely and effectively. When your team is confident in using AI, you maximize its benefits while minimizing risks.

Provide training and support that covers technical skills, applicability to relevant use cases, and ethical considerations. 

Support strategies include:

  • Offering training sessions and user guides.
  • Providing a dedicated support team for questions.
  • Offering ongoing learning opportunities as AI evolves.

How We Help

Using AI securely and ethically requires careful planning and ongoing effort. Our Cloud Advisors can help you identify use cases, select tools and services, endure data security and government, and help your team get the most from your AI investments.

About the Author

Bill Seybolt bio pictureBill is a Senior Cloud Advisor responsible for helping small and midsize organizations with cloud forward solutions that meet their business needs, priorities, and budgets. Bill works with executives, leaders, and team members to understand workflows, identify strategic goals and tactical requirements, and design solutions and implementation phases. Having helped over 200 organizations successfully adopt cloud solutions, his expertise and working style ensure a comfortable experience effective change management.

AI in Google Workspace – AI Ultra for Business

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Google AI Ultra for BusinessGoogle Workspace is a comprehensive and secure platform that empowers organizations to be more productive, collaborative, and creative. This series explores the power of AI built within Google Workspace across each of the workspace apps. In this post, we cover the Google AI Ultra add-on for Google Workspace.

Google AI Ultra for Business

Google AI Ultra for Business is an add-on for existing Google Workspace Business and Enterprise subscribers, offering enhanced capabilities.  Beyond the highest access to the Gemini app, Google AI Ultra for Business delivers advanced tools for deep reasoning, images, and videos.

Here are 4 reasons to consider Google Ultra for Business:

1 Gemini App
  • Dive deep with the most capable models, including Gemini 2.5 Pro and Deep Research.
  • Deep Think, with the ability to explore multiple scenarios and answers before responding, is coming soon.
2 Video Generation
  • AI Ultra for Business includes advanced filmmaking tools:
    • Veo 3 — Professional video production tool
    • Flow — Create cinematic scenes using Veo 3
    • Whisk — Image and text to 8-second videos, using Veo 2

3 Project Mariner

  • Research prototype for streamlined human-agent interaction
  • Allows AI agents to handle multiple tasks concurrently
  • Coming soon, initially to the US only

4 Individual YouTube Premium

  • Upgrade your video game with an individual YouTube Premium plan.

And More …

Google AI Ultra for Business also includes higher access and usage limits for:

  • Gemini App
  • Image Generation
  • NotebookLM
  • AI Credits (12,500 credits per month)
  • Storage (30 TB across Photos, Drive, and Gmail

We Will Help

At Cumulus Global, our priority is ensuring that you have productive, secure, and affordable managed cloud services. We work to ensure that you get the most value from the IT and cloud services you need and want, without overspending, to best support your business objectives.

Unsure of where to start? Check out our IT Assessment or schedule a meeting with a Cloud Advisor. We will help you adapt while keeping your IT services secure and cost-effective.

About the Author

Allen Falcon is the co-founder and CEO of Cumulus Global.  Allen co-founded Cumulus Global in 2006 to offer small businesses enterprise-grade email security and compliance using emerging cloud solutions. He has led the company’s growth into a managed cloud service provider with over 1,000 customers throughout North America.

AI in Google Workspace – AppSheet

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Gemini AI in AppSheetGoogle Workspace is a comprehensive and secure platform that empowers organizations to be more productive, collaborative, and creative. This series explores the power of AI built within Google Workspace across each of the workspace apps. In this post, we cover AI in AppSheet.

AI in AppSheet

AppSheet is an add-on for Google Workspace and a Google Cloud service that empowers Google Workspace users to create custom apps and automations without writing code.

In addition to simplifying workflow creation and connecting your business data, AppSheet provides controls needed to remain secure and compliant.

Gemini AI in AppSheet helps you create and refine apps and better access and refine your data and information.

Here are 3 Gemini features in AppSheet you should know.

1 Create an App
  • Bring app ideas to life by simply describing them. Gemini AI in AppSheet can transform those concepts
    into a fully functional app for you to edit or publish.
2 Extract Information
  • Currently in preview, Gemini AI in AppSheet lets you populate forms and reports directly from images. Snap a photo of a receipt, invoice or document to capture data and match it to the right fields.
3 Connect External Services
  • Also in preview, AppSheet apps can connect to hundreds of Google Cloud and third-party services without custom code.

And More …

You can also:

  • Embed Gemini-powered AI tasks directly within your AppSheet automations.
  • Extract information from PDF files.
  • Automatically categorize information as it is input.
  • Route and prioritize items based on categorized content to streamline workflows.

We Will Help

At Cumulus Global, our priority is ensuring that you have productive, secure, and affordable managed cloud services. We work to ensure that you get the most value from the IT and cloud services you need and want, without overspending, to best support your business objectives.

Unsure of where to start? Check out our IT Assessment or schedule a meeting with a Cloud Advisor. We will help you adapt while keeping your IT services secure and cost-effective.

About the Author

Allen Falcon is the co-founder and CEO of Cumulus Global.  Allen co-founded Cumulus Global in 2006 to offer small businesses enterprise-grade email security and compliance using emerging cloud solutions. He has led the company’s growth into a managed cloud service provider with over 1,000 customers throughout North America.

AI in Google Workspace – Vids

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Gemini AI in VidsGoogle Workspace is a comprehensive and secure platform that empowers organizations to be more productive, collaborative, and creative. This series explores the power of AI built within Google Workspace across each of the workspace apps. In this post, we cover AI in Vids.

AI in Vids

Vids is a relatively new addition to the Google Workspace family of apps. Google Vids is a cutting-edge video creation platform, powered by AI.

Gemini AI in Vids helps you generate your first draft and land your message with AI voiceovers. You are empowered to create polished videos in less time so you can tell more engaging stories.

Here are 3 Gemini features in Vids you should know.

1 Create Your Story
  • Create your video storyboard with suggested scenes, scripts, stock media, music, and more to jumpstart video storytelling. Start with only a prompt and a file from your Google Drive.
2 AI Voiceovers
  • Use Gemini in Vids to give your videos a fresh voice by choosing from a variety of preset, professional- sounding voiceovers.
3 Read-Along Teleprompter
  • Record your talk track with confidence using the teleprompter embedded directly in Vids’ recording studio, so you can stay on message.

And More …

You can also

Create Clips from Prompts
  • Turn ideas into video clips by providing a descriptive prompt.

We Will Help

At Cumulus Global, our priority is ensuring that you have productive, secure, and affordable managed cloud services. We work to ensure that you get the most value from the IT and cloud services you need and want, without overspending, to best support your business objectives.

Unsure of where to start? Check out our IT Assessment or schedule a meeting with a Cloud Advisor. We will help you adapt while keeping your IT services secure and cost-effective.

About the Author

Allen Falcon is the co-founder and CEO of Cumulus Global.  Allen co-founded Cumulus Global in 2006 to offer small businesses enterprise-grade email security and compliance using emerging cloud solutions. He has led the company’s growth into a managed cloud service provider with over 1,000 customers throughout North America.

AI in Google Workspace – Chat

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Gemini AI in ChatGoogle Workspace is a comprehensive and secure platform that empowers organizations to be more productive, collaborative, and creative. This series explores the power of AI built within Google Workspace across each of the workspace apps. In this post, we cover AI in Chat.

AI in Chat

Chat in Google Workspace provides direct messages, group chats, and spaces. Chat makes work collaboration and project management easier.

Gemini AI in Chat is your real-time assistant and partner for team collaboration. Use it to stay on top of active conversations by summarizing recent messages, finding specific details, and capturing action items. With on-demand summaries in the Chat home view, AI in Chat gives you a single place to catch up on every conversation.

Here are 4 Gemini features in Chat you should know.

Chat Summaries
  • Located in the home view for Chat, Gemini AI in Chat provides you on-demand summaries of each active conversation. 
  • You can catch up quickly in one place and focus your attention where it’s needed most.
Action Items
  • Gemini AI in Chat can analyze conversations and automatically identify and list action items. Stay organized and ensure that decisions and tasks are clearly understood and assigned. 
  • You can ask for a general list of action items or ask to see action items specifically for a particular person.
Contextual Question Answering
  • You can ask Gemini AI specific questions about a conversation or a shared file directly within Chat. This gives you quick retrieval of information without manually scrolling back through messages.
  • For example, if someone mentioned a timeline extension or a project decision, you can ask Gemini, “What did [person] say about the timeline extension?” or “What’s the decision on the project discussed?” 
Automatic Language Translation
  • Google Chat, using Gemini, will automatically detect and translate messages in over 120 languages to your preferred language and keep the original message for review. 

And More …

From the side panel, Gemini AI in Chat functions as an AI assistant and content generator. You can use AI in Chat to:

Draft Messages
  • Get AI assistance to compose messages, replies, or even brainstorm ideas directly within the chat interface.
Reference Shared Files
  • Gemini AI in Chat can analyze shared Google Workspace files (like Docs or Slides) linked in a chat and provide summaries or answer questions about their content.
  • You get immediate context about shared documents without needing to open each file separately.

We Will Help

At Cumulus Global, our priority is ensuring that you have productive, secure, and affordable managed cloud services. We work to ensure that you get the most value from the IT and cloud services you need and want, without overspending, to best support your business objectives.

Unsure of where to start? Check out our IT Assessment or schedule a meeting with a Cloud Advisor. We will help you adapt while keeping your IT services secure and cost-effective.

About the Author

Allen Falcon is the co-founder and CEO of Cumulus Global.  Allen co-founded Cumulus Global in 2006 to offer small businesses enterprise-grade email security and compliance using emerging cloud solutions. He has led the company’s growth into a managed cloud service provider with over 1,000 customers throughout North America.

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Template AI Usage Policy

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Template | Source: Cumulus Global — A clear usage policy for Artificial Intelligence guides your teams and sets boundaries for appropriate use. This template provide a sample table of contents for an Artificial Intelligence Usage Policy.  Along with the outline, brief descriptions are provided for each section.

Read more

The AI Agent Handbook

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eBook | Source: Google– AI Agents are a major leap from traditional automation or chatbots. Properly deployed, They can help your employees and teams get more done. Use this guide to explore 10 ways to you and your team can use AI Agents today.

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Flexara 2026 State of the Cloud Report

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Whitepaper | Source: Flexera — The fifteenth annual Flexera 2026 State of the Cloud Report sheds light on the cloud computing trends, the pressures facing IT professionals and the strategic initiatives they’re utilizing to remain competitive in today’s dynamic and evolving landscape.

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Sample AI Usage Policy Contents

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Template | Source: Cumulus Global — A clear usage policy for Artificial Intelligence guides your teams and sets boundaries for appropriate use. This template provide a sample table of contents for an Artificial Intelligence Usage Policy.  Along with the outline, brief descriptions are provided for each section.

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Unleash the Power of NotebookLM

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eBook | Source: Google– NotebookLM is an AI-powered research assistant who reads and understands your private data. This Google eBook walks you through how NotebookLM can empower your teams to work smarter, not harder.

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2025 CrowdStrike Global Threat Report

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Whitepaper | Source: CrowdStrike — This report is a deep dive into cyber threat data an analyses for 2024. The report identifies emerging risks and overall trends to consider when evaluating and planning your cybersecurity posture, systems and services, and budget.

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Gen AI Prompt Engineering

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Whitepaper | Source: Google — You don’t need to be a data scientist or a machine learning engineer – everyone can write effective gen AI prompts. This 60+ whitepaper goes beyond “prompting 101” and dives deep into advanced prompt engineering with Gemini AI and for large language models (LMMs) in general.

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FBI 2023 Internet Crime Report

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Whitepaper | Source: FBI — This annual report covers the trends, prevalence, and financial losses across the many forms of cyber attacks placing your business at risk. Understanding your risks is the first step to protection you, your business, and your customers.

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Google Gemini Quick Start Guide

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eBook | Source: Cumulus Global — The value of Google Gemini depends on how well you are able to use it. This eBook provides an overview of Google Gemini, 12 things Gemini can do you your (with some examples), and limitations to consider when using Gemini.

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Cyber Security Requirements for Cyber Insurance

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eBook | Source: Cumulus Global — This eBook presents the minimally required, recommended, and best practice cyber security components for small and midsize businesses seeking appropriate and affordable cyber insurance.

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Webcasts

6 Decisions for Productive, Secure, Affordable AI

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(02/17/26) – Allowing AI to happen through individual experimentation and unstructured projects creates security risks, leads to unpredictable costs, and increases your chance of failure. If you want AI to be an effective tool for your business, you need to actively lead and manage your AI efforts.

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Is Your AI OK?

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(09/15/25) – AI is here. Your business is using AI – officially or not. And with AI comes “AI Data Leaks.” AI has the power to do good and to do damage. Managing your AI services, and security, is the best way to ensure your AI is OK.

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Small Business Compliance Primer

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(6/18/24) – For many of us, ensuring we have the right security and compliance program in place remains a challenge. A basic understanding of security and compliance will inform and guide your security priorities, plans, investment, and results.

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Gen AI Prompts and Privacy

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(05/21/24) – Gen AI tools can boost your productivity or waste your time. The better your Gen AI prompts, the more effective and efficient Gen AI will be for you. The session provides and demonstrates a model for effective prompt-building.

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Rethinking Google and Microsoft

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(04/30/24) – As both suites evolve, and your business changes, is your choice still the best match for your business? Assessing whether Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace is the best fit for your business needs should either trigger a change or improve how you use your current services.

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