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Google Workspace - complete integration guide

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about integrating Google Workspace with the Vendasta platform, including initial setup, transferring existing subscriptions, and managing SSO configurations.

Overview of Google Workspace integration​

Google Workspace integration with the Vendasta platform provides seamless productivity solutions for your clients while maintaining centralized management through Partner Center. This integration supports both new Google Workspace setups and transfers of existing subscriptions.

Key integration benefits

  • Centralized billing and management through Partner Center
  • Seamless user authentication with Business App
  • Automated provisioning and deprovisioning
  • Comprehensive administrative control
  • Support for both SSO and direct Google login

Pre-setup requirements​

Before beginning any Google Workspace configuration, ensure you have the following prerequisites:

Essential requirements​

  • Domain administrative access - Full DNS management capabilities for the target domain
  • Secondary email address - Alternative email on different domain for administrative purposes
  • Business App user setup - Configured users matching the Google Workspace domain structure

Domain configuration​

  • Verify domain ownership and administrative rights
  • Ensure DNS settings can be modified (TXT and MX records)
  • Plan domain structure for all Google Workspace users
  • Example format: username@clientdomain.com

User planning​

  • Identify all users who will need Google Workspace access
  • Plan user roles and permissions structure
  • Determine administrative responsibilities
  • Consider future scaling requirements

New Google Workspace setup​

Business App user configuration​

Creating new users

  1. In Partner Center → Accounts, start a new user from Manage Users → Create User, or open Manage Accounts → [Account Name] → Users if you are already working inside that account.
  2. Complete user form ensuring email domain matches Google Workspace domain
  3. Add user to target account:
    • Select the edit icon → Edit Permissions → Add Account
    • Locate target account and select checkbox
    • Click Add Accounts
  4. Repeat for all Google Workspace users

Using existing users

If users already exist with matching domain:

  1. Navigate to Partner Center → Accounts → Manage Users
  2. Select the edit icon next to the target user → Edit Permissions
  3. Click Add Account
  4. Locate target account and select checkbox
  5. Click Add Accounts
  6. Repeat for all applicable users

Skip to activation if users are already assigned to the target account.

Google Workspace activation​

Initial activation process

  1. Navigate to Partner Center → Accounts → Manage Accounts
  2. Select target account
  3. Click Create Order → Add Google Workspace
  4. Click Continue
  5. Check both "I understand..." acknowledgment boxes

Setup scenarios​

Choose the scenario that best matches your deployment strategy:

Scenario A: client-managed setup​

Use case: Client handles all Google Workspace configuration independently

Configuration:

  • Domain name: Client's domain for Google Workspace
  • Username: Client's primary email address (must match domain)
  • Business App user: Select corresponding Business App user
  • Admin email address: Client's alternative email (different domain required)

Process flow

  • Client receives Welcome to Google Workspace email
  • Client completes domain verification and DNS configuration
  • Client configures Google Workspace settings independently
  • Partner maintains billing and administrative oversight

Scenario B: partner setup, client administration​

Use case: Partner performs initial setup, client takes over administration

Configuration:

  • Domain name: Client's domain for Google Workspace
  • Username: Client's primary email address (must match domain)
  • Business App user: Select corresponding Business App user
  • Admin email address: Client's alternative email (different domain required)

Process flow:

  • Partner completes initial activation and domain verification
  • Client receives administrative credentials
  • Client assumes ongoing administrative responsibilities
  • Partner maintains billing relationship

Scenario C: partner setup and administration​

Use case: Partner maintains ongoing administrative control

Configuration:

  • Domain name: Client's domain for Google Workspace
  • Username: Partner's email address on client domain
  • Business App user: Select corresponding Business App user
  • Admin email address: Alternative email for password recovery

Process flow:

  • Partner maintains full administrative control
  • Partner handles all configuration and management tasks
  • Client users access through Business App integration
  • Partner provides ongoing support and management

Activation completion​

  1. Complete configuration form based on chosen scenario
  2. Check I understand... acknowledgment checkbox
  3. Click Purchase to begin activation
  4. Allow up to 10 minutes for product activation

Administrative configuration (for partner-managed setups)​

Terms of Service acceptance:

  1. Monitor admin email inbox for "Google Workspace Admin User for..." message
  2. Click Reset Password in the email
  3. Enter secure password in New Password and Confirm Password fields
  4. Click Reset to complete password setup
  5. Navigate to https://admin.google.com
  6. Sign in with configured email and password
  7. Accept Google Workspace Terms of Service

Domain verification and DNS configuration​

Final setup steps:

  1. Navigate to Partner Center → Accounts → Manage Accounts → [Account Name]
  2. Click Google Workspace
  3. Select Setup from sidebar
  4. Follow verification instructions:
    • Recommended method: Automated verification process
    • Alternate methods: Manual DNS configuration

DNS record configuration:

  • TXT records: Domain ownership verification
  • MX records: Email routing configuration
  • Host-specific instructions: Use "View full instructions" for platform-specific guidance
  • Support: Contact domain host for configuration assistance if needed

Additional user provisioning​

Adding extra seats:

  1. Navigate to Partner Center → Accounts → Manage Accounts → [Account Name]
  2. Click Google Workspace under Products section
  3. Locate "Seat Available For Use" rows
  4. Click Create User for each available seat

User configuration:

  • Business App user: Select matching Business App user
  • First name and last name: User's full name
  • Google Workspace username: Username matching Business App user
  • Alternate email: Recovery email on different domain

Repeat for all additional purchased seats.

Transferring existing Google Workspace subscriptions​

Transfer overview​

Important policy update: As of March 7th, 2025, Google no longer allows transfers to resellers that previously hosted the same Google Workspace within the last 18 months. Verify client's previous hosting history before initiating transfer.

Transfer vs. new subscription differences:

  • Transferred accounts do NOT require Business App login
  • Users continue existing Google Workspace login patterns
  • No disruption to existing workflows and data
  • Billing transfers to Vendasta while maintaining user experience

Client transfer steps​

Required client actions:

  1. Provide client with Vendasta's Reseller ID: C02e5br85
  2. Have your client browse to admin.google.com/TransferToken. (If you land on a 404 page after clicking the above link, try opening the link in your browser's private/incognito browsing tab.)
  3. Have them click Generate Transfer Token. Please note a token will be generated on Google's backend. This token will not be visible to the client.

Partner transfer processing​

Partner Center configuration:

  1. Navigate to Partner Center → Accounts → Manage Accounts → [Account Name]
  2. Click Create Order → Add Google Workspace Transfer
  3. Enter client-provided Transfer Token
  4. Check I understand... acknowledgment
  5. Click Purchase

Transfer completion:

  1. Review seat calculation (transfer is free, no billing for activation)
  2. Click Google Workspace Transfer under the Products section
  3. Confirm transfer details:
    • Review seat count being transferred
    • Check I understand... acknowledgment
    • Click Confirm Transfer
  4. Allow several minutes for processing and seat activation
  5. Verify client agreement to Google Workspace terms and conditions
Activate products screen showing Google Workspace transfer option Purchase screen for confirming Google Workspace transfer details

Transferring Google Workspace out of Vendasta​

You can transfer Google Workspace account(s) out of the Vendasta platform by cancelling the product.

What happens after cancellation?​

  • The client’s Google Workspace emails and data remain intact.
  • The account simply stops being managed by Vendasta and transfers back to Google.
  • The Google Workspace admin will receive an email prompting them to access the Google Admin Console and set up billing directly with Google.

To avoid any service interruption, the client must set up payment with Google within 7 days of cancelling the product. This process is not automatic or managed by Vendasta.

Cancelling individual seats​

If you are cancelling specific seat(s) rather than the full product, please also contact support@vendasta.com, as backend adjustments may be required to complete the process.

SSO management and configuration​

Understanding SSO integration​

Single Sign-On (SSO) integration allows users to access Google Workspace through Business App credentials, providing centralized authentication and seamless user experience across all platform products.

Disabling SSO for direct Google access​

Use case: Users prefer direct Google login instead of Business App authentication

SSO disable process:

  1. Navigate to Partner Center
  2. Open account with active Google Workspace
  3. Access Google Workspace from Partner Center
Google Workspace product view in Partner Center for an account
  1. Open Workspace dashboard
  2. Select Settings from left panel
  3. Locate SSO (Single Sign-On) toggle
  4. Toggle SSO on or off as needed
Google Workspace settings with the SSO toggle visible

Impact of disabling SSO:

  • Users can access Google products directly through Google login
  • Business App and Google Workspace become separate login experiences
  • Reduced integration between platforms
  • Users maintain separate authentication for each system

SSO best practices​

When to keep SSO enabled:

  • Centralized user management desired
  • Single authentication point preferred
  • Integration with other Business App products
  • Simplified user training and support

When to disable SSO:

  • Users prefer native Google experience
  • Existing Google workflow dependencies
  • Reduced complexity for end users
  • Independent Google and Business App usage

Advanced management and troubleshooting​

User management best practices​

User provisioning strategy:

  • Plan user hierarchy and permissions before setup
  • Maintain consistent naming conventions
  • Document user roles and responsibilities
  • Regular review and cleanup of unused accounts

Access control management:

  • Configure appropriate user permissions
  • Implement security policies and requirements
  • Monitor user access patterns and usage
  • Regular security audits and updates

Integration monitoring​

Performance monitoring:

  • Regular connectivity testing between systems
  • Monitor authentication success rates
  • Track user adoption and usage patterns
  • Identify and resolve integration issues quickly

Billing and account management:

  • Regular review of seat utilization
  • Monitor for billing discrepancies
  • Plan for user growth and scaling
  • Maintain accurate user count for billing

Common issues and solutions​

Domain verification problems:

  • Verify DNS record propagation (can take 24-48 hours)
  • Confirm correct TXT and MX record values
  • Check for conflicting DNS records
  • Contact domain host for configuration assistance

User authentication issues:

  • Verify Business App user configuration matches Google Workspace
  • Confirm user permissions and account assignments
  • Check SSO configuration settings
  • Test authentication flow with sample users

Transfer problems:

  • Verify transfer token generation and validity
  • Confirm client's previous hosting history (18-month restriction)
  • Check domain ownership and administrative access
  • Ensure all prerequisite steps completed

Support and resources​

Escalation paths:

  • Billing questions: Account management team
  • Google-specific issues: Google Workspace support
  • DNS/domain issues: Domain registrar support

Setup walkthrough video​

For visual guidance through the setup process, reference this comprehensive walkthrough:

Conclusion​

Google Workspace integration with the Vendasta platform provides powerful productivity solutions while maintaining centralized management and billing. Whether setting up new instances, transferring existing subscriptions, or managing SSO configurations, following these detailed procedures ensures smooth implementation and ongoing success.

Regular monitoring, proactive user management, and understanding of both new setup and transfer processes will help you deliver exceptional Google Workspace experiences for your clients while maintaining operational efficiency.