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Q1. What is Vertex AI, and why should businesses care?

Vertex AI is Google Cloud’s enterprise platform for building, deploying, and managing AI at scale. In plain terms, it is a central hub for all your AI initiatives, whether you are experimenting with generative AI, deploying predictive models, or embedding intelligence into apps.

Leaders should care because most companies get stuck in “AI pilot purgatory.” They test tools but cannot scale them into production. Vertex AI solves this by offering a single, governed environment that covers the full lifecycle: from data prep to training to deployment and monitoring. This means less time wrestling with infrastructure and more time unlocking business value.

Q2. What problems does Vertex AI actually solve?

Executives consistently cite three pain points with AI adoption:

• Pilots that don’t scale: Over 70% of AI projects stall before production. Vertex AI includes pipelines, monitoring, and retraining to move beyond proof-of-concepts.
  
• Data and team silos: Without a shared platform, business leaders, engineers, and analysts struggle to collaborate. Vertex AI unifies these workflows.
  
• Security and compliance worries: Leaders cannot afford AI projects that mishandle sensitive data. Vertex AI comes with enterprise safeguards (SOC 2, HIPAA, FedRAMP High) and ensures your data is not used to train Google’s models.

By addressing these three blockers, Vertex AI helps turn AI investment into ROI.

Q3. How does Vertex AI keep my data secure?

Security is non-negotiable. With Vertex AI:

• Your data is not used to train Google’s models, which is a critical distinction from many consumer AI tools.
• Strong compliance: Certifications like SOC 2, HIPAA, and FedRAMP High make it viable for regulated industries.
• Control and visibility: Tools like VPC Service Controls, Customer Managed Encryption Keys (CMEK), and Access Transparency give organizations granular oversight.

This makes Vertex AI one of the most enterprise-ready AI platforms on the market.

Q4. What are real-world use cases of Vertex AI?

AI is only valuable if it solves business problems. Here are practical examples of how familiar brands are already using Vertex AI and achieving ROI:

• Retail & E-commerce: Mercado Libre improved product discovery by using Vertex AI Search to make millions of products easier to find, directly driving incremental revenue.
  
• Finance & Risk: Global banks use Vertex AI for fraud detection and demand forecasting, leveraging its ability to train on large datasets and retrain automatically when patterns shift.
  
• Customer Service: Companies combine Vertex AI with Contact Center AI to power intelligent chatbots and virtual agents. These models understand intent, escalate smartly, and free up human agents for higher-value cases.
  
• Supply Chain: Wayfair used Vertex AI Pipelines to modernize its supply chain science, reducing time-to-value and enabling faster iteration cycles.
  
• Productivity: Dun & Bradstreet cut development cycles in half and boosted developer productivity by embedding Gemini models through Vertex AI.

Each example shows Vertex AI solving an industry-specific challenge with measurable business outcomes.

Q5. How can my organization take its first steps?

A practical roadmap:

1. Pick one high-value use case. Start with something measurable, like reducing customer support wait times or improving demand forecasting.
   
2. Run a proof of concept (POC). Use Vertex AI’s Model Garden or AutoML to prototype quickly. Focus on outcomes, not perfection.
   
3. Plan for scale early. Use Vertex AI Pipelines to automate retraining, monitoring, and governance.
   
4. Align teams. AI adoption requires business and technical collaboration.
   
5. Leverage expert support. Premier Cloud has guided organizations from workshops to production-grade solutions, accelerating time-to-value while reducing risk.

How Premier Cloud Helps

Premier Cloud is a Google Cloud Premier Partner with deep AI expertise. We do not just advise, we build alongside your team:

• Workshops and enablement: Hands-on Vertex AI workshops to upskill teams quickly.
  
• Proof of concepts: Tailored POCs that prove value in weeks, not months.
  
• Production deployments: Secure, scalable rollouts that integrate AI with existing systems.
  
• Strategic guidance: Helping decision makers pick the right use cases, manage risk, and measure ROI.

Our track record spans real estate, healthcare, gaming, and global supply chains. In each case, we have helped organizations move from “AI could help us” to “AI is driving results today.”

Takeaway

If you are serious about AI adoption, Vertex AI is Google’s answer to the “pilot-to-production gap.” And with the right partner, you do not have to navigate the complexity alone.

Start small, prove value, and scale with confidence. That is the formula we have seen work across industries.

The choice between Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 is more than just software. It shapes how teams collaborate, adopt new technologies, and stay secure in a hybrid work world. Both platforms cover the basics, such as email, documents, spreadsheets, and video meetings. The real differences emerge in how they fit into day-to-day business.

Collaboration: Real-Time Cloud Editing vs Desktop-Centric Workflows

Google Workspace is designed for real-time, cloud-based collaboration. Teams can co-edit documents in Docs or Sheets simultaneously, and sharing via Drive links is seamless. This often speeds up adoption and cuts down on support requests.

Microsoft 365, in contrast, remains rooted in its desktop apps like Word, Excel, and Outlook. While co-authoring is supported, the experience can feel tied to older workflows—fitting teams accustomed to traditional office setups.

📌 According to TechRepublic’s analysis, Google Workspace excels in live collaboration, whereas Microsoft 365 still leads in desktop-based document control. This underscores how Workspace shines in environments prioritizing agile teamwork and simplicity.

AI: Gemini for Everyday Use vs Copilot for Structured Tasks

AI is now a key differentiator.

Gemini AI is integrated across Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Slides. It simplifies everyday work like drafting emails, summarizing meetings, and brainstorming content. Setup is minimal, and many features are included in standard plans.

Microsoft Copilot is designed for structured, high-powered use cases. It excels at analyzing large datasets in Excel, generating presentations, and extracting insights from Teams conversations. It often requires an additional license and IT configuration.

📌 According to G2’s side-by-side analysis, Gemini is strong for creative and research tasks, while Copilot performs better in structured Office workflows.

Integrations: Flexible Ecosystem vs Unified Stack

Google Workspace integrates easily with popular SaaS tools such as Slack, Asana, and Salesforce, making it an excellent fit for agile, cloud-first teams that rely on a variety of modern business applications.

Microsoft 365 connects deeply within its own environment including Teams, Dynamics, and Power BI. For organizations that prefer to keep everything under one vendor, this all-in-one stack provides strong consistency.

Security and Compliance: User-Friendly vs Enterprise-Grade

Both suites deliver enterprise-grade protection.

Google Workspace emphasizes zero-trust security, phishing protection, and simplified administration, which makes it approachable for lean IT teams.

Microsoft 365 provides advanced compliance options, granular policy controls, and device management through Intune, which is often required for regulated industries.

📌 A recent Expert Insights report confirms that both suites are highly secure, with Microsoft ahead on compliance breadth and Google standing out for simplicity.

Final Verdict: Which Suite Fits Your Needs?

Choose Google Workspace if your priorities are simplicity, fast adoption, seamless AI features, and integration flexibility. Select Microsoft 365 if your organization relies on advanced desktop tools, complex compliance requirements, or wants a fully unified Microsoft environment. In 2025, your productivity suite choice is more than a software decision. It is a reflection of how your teams will collaborate, innovate, and stay secure.

Next Steps: If you are exploring whether Google Workspace could be the right fit for your business, check out our Google Workspace Migration Page and book a discovery call with us. We will walk you through what Google Workspace has to offer for your organization, what you can expect during a transition, and how we can make the switch smoothly for businesses.

Features like Guided Learning and Personalized Narratives are designed to foster deeper understanding and captivate learners across all stages.

This represents a significant shift from merely retrieving information to cultivating a deep understanding. Gemini’s capabilities are not just about providing quick answers but about actively guiding users to internalize complex concepts, addressing a core challenge in modern education. The ability to offer highly personalized learning at scale, previously resource-intensive, is now achievable. This empowers institutions to differentiate themselves, improve student retention, and prepare a workforce with diverse learning needs, moving past the limitations of generic training models.

Guided Learning: Your AI-Powered Personal Tutor

Google Gemini’s Guided Learning transforms the educational journey into an interactive dialogue. It functions as a personal learning companion, guiding users step-by-step through complex subjects. This feature goes beyond simple question-and-answer formats by employing probing questions, adapting explanations to individual needs, and integrating multimodal resources such as images, diagrams, videos, and interactive quizzes to ensure comprehensive comprehension. Learners can explore topics at their own pace within a supportive, judgment-free environment, making education more accessible and flexible for everyone, from students to employees at any career stage.

For corporate training, this capability is particularly transformative, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Guided Learning’s interactive, step-by-step nature is ideal for developing specific skills, accelerating onboarding processes, and upskilling teams to meet new technological demands. This directly enhances productivity and strengthens an organization’s competitive advantage by ensuring a highly adaptable and skilled workforce.

Storybook: Engaging Personalized Narratives

The Storybook feature in the Gemini app generates personalized, illustrated 10-page storybooks with read-aloud narration. Users describe stories or use their own photos/files, choosing from various illustration styles. While primarily designed for personal and educational use, Storybook’s AI storytelling capabilities offer unique creative potential for businesses.

Educational and training organizations can rapidly generate highly specific, tailored learning content for unique groups or individual learners, reducing reliance on generic materials and empowering educators to become content creators without extensive production resources. By transforming dry facts or intricate procedures into engaging, personalized narratives, institutions can significantly enhance how information is absorbed and utilized. Furthermore, this democratizes content creation for niche educational requirements.

Final Thoughts

The integration of Google Gemini’s Guided Learning and Personalized Narratives marks a pivotal moment for the education industry. These innovations promise to make learning more effective, engaging, and accessible for everyone. By embracing these AI-powered solutions, education leaders can future-proof their institutions, cultivate a more skilled workforce, and foster a culture of continuous, personalized growth. Premier Cloud is ready to help organizations navigate this transformative journey, providing the expertise and support to seamlessly implement these cutting-edge AI solutions for maximum impact.

Google Workspace is evolving rapidly, with AI now powering features that make everyday tasks faster, smarter, and easier. From summarizing emails to generating videos and interactive charts, these recent updates bring meaningful enhancements for teams of all sizes.

Here are four powerful AI updates you can start using right away:

1. Generate Video Clips with Veo 3 in Google Vids

Google Vids now lets you create 8-second AI-generated video clips using Veo 3. These videos include realistic audio and higher-quality visuals. Simply type a prompt like “A worker introduces our safety training” or “Show a product demo in a mountain setting,” and Veo will generate the content for you to insert directly into your video project.

✅ Why it matters: You can bring ideas to life quickly, without video production skills or editing tools.

2. Create Editable Charts with Gemini in Google Sheets

You can now generate fully editable charts in Google Sheets using Gemini. Unlike earlier versions where charts were static images, these new charts update automatically when the spreadsheet data changes. Use prompts like “Create a bar chart showing campaign performance by region” and customize the output on a new tab.

✅ Why it matters: It makes data storytelling easier for everything from marketing metrics to financial tracking.

3. Get Email Summaries in the Gmail Mobile App

Gemini summary cards are now available in the Gmail app for Android and iOS. Instead of opening Gemini separately, summaries will appear at the top of longer email threads. Gemini captures the key points from the conversation, and updates them as new replies are added.

✅ Why it matters: You save time by understanding long threads at a glance, even on the go.

4. Summarize Videos in Google Drive with Gemini

Gemini can now generate summaries for videos stored in Google Drive. You can ask for key takeaways, highlights, or action items from meeting recordings. This feature is available in the overlay preview or the standalone file viewer.

✅ Why it matters: You no longer need to rewatch full recordings to find important insights.

Final Thoughts

These updates make it easier to work faster and smarter using tools you already rely on. Whether you are creating content, analyzing data, or catching up on communications, AI in Google Workspace is ready to help with just a prompt.

Want help using these features in your workflow? We’re happy to support you.

Understanding Google AI Ultra: What’s Behind the Premium AI Experience?

Google AI Ultra, a new premium subscription unveiled at Google I/O 2025, powers many of the above-mentioned innovations like Agent Mode and Veo 3. At $249.99 per month (50% off for the first three months for new users), it offers top-tier access to advanced AI models like Gemini 2.5 Pro with Deep Think mode, tools like Flow for 1080p video creation, and Whisk Animate for eight-second video clips. It also integrates Gemini into apps like Gmail and Chrome, plus 2TB of storage across Google Drive, Gmail, and Photos. Available only in the U.S. for now, with global expansion planned.

Gemini’s “Agent Mode”

Imagine having an AI executive assistant that doesn’t just chat but acts—booking your flights, researching topics, and managing your Google apps like a pro. Gemini’s new “Agent Mode” transforms it into a powerful executive assistant, capable of orchestrating complex, multi-step tasks with minimal oversight. It integrates advanced features like live web browsing, in-depth research, and smart connections with Google apps, allowing users to state objectives and let Gemini handle the execution. This feature is initially available for desktop users with the Google AI Ultra plan.

Veo 3 and Flow

Veo 3 can generate videos with audio—dialogue, sound effects, and music—all from a text prompt, while Flow lets users storyboard and edit within one platform. Together, they make video creation feel almost magical, raising questions about how far AI can take storytelling. These tools are accessible through the Gemini Ultra subscription, potentially marking the dawn of a new era for filmmakers and creators.

AI Mode in Search

Google’s AI Mode for Search, now rolling out to all U.S. users, enhances the search experience with advanced reasoning and multimodality. Features like Deep Search tackle complex queries by issuing hundreds of searches to create expert-level reports, while Search Live, powered by Project Astra, lets you interact with the world in real time using your camera—for example, pointing at a project to get instant explanations.

Imagen 4

Imagen 4, Google’s latest text-to-image model, pushes the boundaries of visual creativity with photorealistic outputs at up to 2K resolution. Faster than its predecessor, it excels at rendering fine details like fabrics and water droplets, powering tools like Flow for filmmaking and beyond. Available to Gemini Ultra subscribers, this model makes us wonder how AI-generated art might blur the lines between reality and imagination.

Developer Tools

Google I/O 2025 brought a suite of developer tools that could redefine how AI applications are built. Stitch, a new AI-powered tool, generates UI designs and frontend code from natural language or image prompts, with export options to CSS/HTML or Figma. Google AI Studio now integrates Gemini 2.5 Pro into its code editor for faster prototyping, while the Gemini API adds features like controllable text-to-speech for custom audio output, asynchronous function calling, and the Computer Use API for web browsing capabilities (available to trusted testers)

Businesses are rethinking how they deliver customer support, and many are turning to Google Contact Center AI (CCAI) to lead the charge. This powerful solution from Google Cloud is redefining contact center operations by embedding AI agents into every layer of the customer experience.

As a Google Cloud Partner focused on enabling digital transformation, we’re excited about how CCAI helps organizations deliver faster, smarter, and more scalable support.

What Is Google Contact Center AI?

Google Contact Center AI is a suite of artificial intelligence tools that enhance contact center performance. It combines conversational virtual agents, real-time support tools for human agents, and advanced analytics in one unified platform.

What sets CCAI apart is its use of generative AI, the same type of large language models behind leading chatbots, to understand customer intent, personalize interactions, and support agents with real-time recommendations.

How CCAI Creates Business Value

1. AI Agents That Understand and Assist
At the heart of Google CCAI are AI agents—virtual assistants that can manage calls and chats around the clock. Built on Dialogflow CX, these agents use natural language understanding to resolve routine issues and escalate complex cases to human reps when needed.

2. Real-Time Support for Human Agents
Using Google Cloud’s generative AI, CCAI equips live agents with contextual suggestions, auto-generated summaries, and sentiment analysis. This reduces handling time and boosts customer satisfaction by ensuring quick, consistent, and accurate responses.

3. Omnichannel and Multilingual Support
Whether your customers connect through phone, web, or messaging apps, Google CCAI ensures a seamless experience. With support for over 40 languages and native integration with leading CRMs and telephony systems, it’s ready for both local and global teams.

4. Built-In Analytics and Insights
Supervisors can use CCAI’s analytics to monitor customer sentiment, identify trends, and improve agent training. This level of insight helps contact centers continuously optimize their service delivery.

5. Scalable, Cloud-Native, and Easy to Integrate
As a fully managed service on Google Cloud, CCAI is scalable, secure, and easy to deploy across existing infrastructure. It works with most contact center platforms and integrates with enterprise workflows, making it ideal for businesses in the USA and Canada looking for rapid modernization.

Why Businesses Are Adopting CCAI

Customer expectations are evolving fast—and so must your support strategy. By leveraging Google Contact Center AI, businesses can improve resolution times, lower support costs, and deliver a consistent experience across every channel.

Whether you’re scaling up or reimagining your contact center, now is the time to explore what AI-driven service can do for your customers.

Victoria, BC – April 10, 2025 – Premier Cloud is proud to announce its selection as a launch partner for Google Agentspace, Google’s groundbreaking new AI platform designed to redefine enterprise search and productivity for organizations of all sizes.

With deep expertise in Google Cloud and artificial intelligence, Premier Cloud is uniquely positioned to help businesses harness the full potential of Agentspace. As part of this launch, Premier Cloud will work closely with customers to implement the platform and develop customized AI agents tailored to their operational goals. This builds on the company’s extensive experience in driving AI adoption across industries, including initiatives such as streamlining customer support systems to reduce response times, developing intelligent data retrieval solutions to improve knowledge management, and automating workflows to increase operational efficiency.

Google Agentspace introduces a new standard in enterprise AI, enabling seamless search across internal data sources with Google-quality intelligence. It combines advanced security, privacy, and compliance with a unified productivity platform that integrates with cutting-edge tools like Gemini, NotebookLM, Imagen, and Veo. This holistic approach simplifies complex workflows while ensuring that organizations remain agile, secure, and data-driven.

To learn more about Premier Cloud’s AI and ML offerings, including how Google Agentspace can transform an organization, visit premiercloud.com/ai-and-ml or request a one-hour Agentspace Use Case Discovery session by contacting us directly. 

One of the most exciting developments in the realm of Artificial Intelligence is AI agents—intelligent assistants that can automate tasks, provide insights, and enhance productivity. If you’re unfamiliar with AI agents and Google Agentspace, this guide will break it down for you.

What are AI Agents?

Google Agentspace is an enterprise AI platform that combines Google’s search technology, Gemini’s advanced reasoning, and enterprise data to create intelligent AI assistants. These AI-powered agents allow employees to interact with company knowledge using natural language and take action across applications.

Unlike large language models (LLMs) such as Gemini and ChatGPT, which focus on generating responses based on probabilistic predictions, AI agents go beyond just generating responses—they take actions, execute workflows, and integrate directly with enterprise systems. In other words, AI agents don’t just give suggestions—they actually perform tasks based on enterprise data and business applications.

What is Google Agentspace?

Google Agentspace is an enterprise AI platform that combines Google’s search technology, Gemini’s advanced reasoning, and enterprise data to create intelligent AI assistants. These AI-powered agents allow employees to interact with company knowledge using natural language and take action across applications.

🔹 Blended enterprise search – Find relevant information across internal and external sources
🔹 Automated workflows – AI agents handle research, content generation, and planning
🔹 Custom and pre-built AI agents – Employees can use Google’s expert AI agents or build their own

Key Features of Google Agentspace

1. Enterprise Search Across Multiple Platforms

Modern organizations use various tools for project management, collaboration, and content storage. Google Agentspace integrates with first- and third-party applications, including Google Drive, SharePoint, Jira, Salesforce, and more. It uses advanced search and AI reasoning to find relevant information across structured and unstructured data.

2. Multimodal AI

• 📄 Text – Understands and retrieves relevant information from documents, reports, and chat logs
• 🎨 Images – Allows users to upload images and ask questions about their content (e.g., extracting text from an invoice or analyzing a company logo)
• 🎙 Audio – Can summarize recorded meetings or provide podcast-like insights
• 🎥 Video – Extracts key insights from video content, making it easier to process large amounts of information

Google Agentspace goes beyond traditional text-based search by incorporating multimodal AI, meaning it can process, analyze, and generate insights across different types of data, including:

3. Pre-built and Custom Agents

In addition to multimodal AI, Google Agentspace provides a suite of pre-built AI agents designed to automate complex enterprise tasks. You can also create your own AI agents using low-code or no-code frameworks

Key Benefits of Pre-Built Agents:

🔹 Grounded in Enterprise Data – Unlike generic chatbots, these agents operate using real-time company data.
🔹 Task-Oriented – Instead of just providing information, they can perform actions in enterprise applications.
🔹 Integrated with Google & Third-Party Tools – Agents work across Google Workspace, Jira, Salesforce, ServiceNow, and other business platforms.

4. NotebookLM for Research and Data Synthesis

NotebookLM is a built-in tool within Google Agentspace that helps users summarize and extract insights from documents. Employees can upload PDFs, URLs, tests, and audio files, and the AI can:
✅ Generate structured summaries
✅ Provide citations for retrieved information
✅ Create interactive responses for deeper analysis

5. Security, Compliance, and Access Control

Google Agentspace is built with enterprise-grade security and compliance standards to ensure data privacy. Features include:

• Role-based access control (RBAC) – Ensures employees can only access relevant data
• Data encryption – Protects data both at rest and in transit
• Regulatory compliance – Meets standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and VPC Service Controls

How to Get Started with Google Agentspace?

Google Agentspace is available in multiple tiers, including:

• NotebookLM Plus Enterprise – Provides enhanced research tools with NotebookLM
• Google Agentspace Enterprise – Enables enterprise search and multimodal AI interactions
• Google Agentspace Enterprise Plus – Adds advanced AI automation, research agents, and action execution

Interested in learning more and onboarding to Google Agentspace? Contact Premier Cloud today to learn more about Google Agentspace and how AI agents can transform your enterprise productivity.

VICTORIA, BC. February 12, 2025 — Premier Cloud is proud to be named in CRN’s 2025 Managed Service Provider (MSP) 500 list in the Pioneer 250 category. This recognition highlights our continued commitment to delivering secure, scalable cloud and IT solutions that enhance efficiency and drive business success.

CRN’s MSP 500 list identifies top North American managed service providers that lead innovation in IT. The Pioneer 250 category acknowledges MSPs that support small and mid-sized businesses with cutting-edge technology solutions that help them navigate evolving IT challenges and stay competitive.

Premier Cloud specializes in Google Cloud and AI-driven solutions, helping businesses streamline IT operations, enhance security, and maximize technology investments. By offering proactive support, managed cloud services, and AI-powered automation, we ensure businesses can optimize performance while focusing on growth.

Premier Cloud’s client-centric approach is at the heart of our growth strategy, ensuring we consistently meet and exceed our clients’ expectations with each interaction. We are eager to continue expanding and evolving while strengthening our connections with clients and partners. Our dedication to delivering exceptional solutions that drive business growth and innovation remains unwavering.

See the full list here: https://www.crn.com/rankings-and-lists/msp2025

For more information, please contact: 
Alex Shahbazfar
alex.s@premiercloud.com 
888-866-2230

1. Introduction

Real-world applications often require access to dynamic and constantly changing information. This tutorial focuses on integrating external data sources, specifically APIs, into Vertex AI Agent Builder, unlocking possibilities for truly intelligent conversational experiences. By doing so, your agents can access real-time information, stay relevant, and provide accurate responses.

2. Understanding the Basics

What is Vertex AI Agent Builder?

Vertex AI Agent Builder is a platform for creating AI agents capable of interacting with and understanding the world. It supports natural language queries, integrates enterprise data, and becomes even more powerful with external data sources like APIs.

Static vs. Dynamic Data

Static data, such as PDFs or CSV files, quickly becomes outdated, limiting its use. For example, an e-commerce support agent relying on static data can’t provide live updates on product availability or shipping timelines. Dynamic sources, like APIs, offer real-time information, enabling agents to respond effectively to evolving needs.

3. Preparing for Integration

API Setup

To illustrate dynamic data integration, we use a Warehouse Address API. This API retrieves a warehouse’s address based on its ID, offering real-time updates. It is implemented using Flask and deployed on Cloud Run.

The configuration is defined in a YAML file, which acts as a blueprint for the API. It includes details like API paths, request parameters, and response formats. You can check the YAML file given below:

openapi: 3.0.0
info:
 title: Warehouse Address API
 version: v1
servers:
 - url: 'https://my-warehouse-api-zycua53bta-uc.a.run.app'
paths:
 /warehouses/{warehouseId}/address:
   get:
     summary: Get Warehouse Address
     description: Retrieves the address of a warehouse by its ID.
     parameters:
       - in: path
         name: warehouseId
         schema:
           type: integer
           format: int64
         required: true
         description: The ID of the warehouse.
     responses:
       '200':f
         description: Successful response with the warehouse address.
         content:
           application/json:
             schema:
               type: string
               description: The full address of the warehouse.
       '404':
         description: Warehouse not found.

This YAML file is crucial for integrating the API with Vertex AI Agent Builder.

Connecting Your API

1. Open the Agent Builder console.
2. Navigate to Tools and create a new tool.
3. Enter the tool’s name, type (OPENAPI), and description.
4. Paste the YAML file content and save it.
5. Proceed to create your agent.

4. Building and Testing Your Agent

Agent Setup

1. Create a new agent in Vertex AI.
2. Define its name, goal, and step-by-step instructions.
3. Reference the tool created earlier using the format: ${TOOL: Tool_name}.

Test your Agent

Just like any software, agents need thorough testing. This helps identify bugs in their code, understand their current capabilities, and most important, simulate real interactions with users to refine the overall customer experience. 

While you are in the console, go ahead and select the appropriate agent and select the generative model of your choice and you now ask questions to the agent and the response will be coming from the API.

5. Publishing the Chat App

Now that the Chat App is up and running, it’s time to publish it and embed it into our website. To publish your Chat App, click on the Publish button which will prompt you with the following:

You have to specify the agent environment, followed by the Access type and the UI Style that you want. Once you have all of this set, go ahead and click on Enable the unauthenticated API.

6. Conclusion

This tutorial demonstrated how to integrate external data sources into Vertex AI Agent Builder, using APIs to create dynamic conversational agents. By following these steps, you can build intelligent chat applications that adapt to real-time data and deliver superior user experiences.

By Aryan Irani

We are thrilled to announce that Ryan Brady, Premier Cloud’s VP of Sales, has been recognized as one of CRN’s Next-Gen Solution Provider Leaders for 2024! 

This prestigious honor spotlights young professionals under 40 already making a significant impact within the IT channel. Ryan’s drive, vision, and dedication to innovation have played an instrumental role in shaping Premier Cloud’s strategic direction and elevating our position in the marketplace.

Key Accomplishments That Set Us Apart

Over the past year, Ryan has led numerous initiatives that have dramatically diversified Premier Cloud’s product and service portfolio, creating multiple new revenue streams. We are proud to be a top seller in North America for sales of Google’s new Gemini product. This is a testament to our ability to stay ahead of industry trends and meet market demands for cutting-edge AI solutions.

Under Ryan’s leadership, we’ve also attained Premier status within the Google Cloud Partner Program and received several Specialization awards for our expertise in delivering Google Workspace and Google Cloud services. These accomplishments not only validate the exceptional quality of our solutions but also highlight our team’s dedication to excellence in every client engagement.

The Role of AI in Our Growth Journey

Artificial intelligence is transforming every industry, and Premier Cloud is at the forefront of this shift. As a reseller of AI solutions, particularly Google’s Gemini for Google Workspace and Vertex AI, we are uniquely positioned to help companies explore, understand, and implement AI meaningfully. Ryan’s vision for AI has enabled us to become trusted advisors in this space, helping clients bring their AI aspirations to life.

Join Us in Celebrating This Milestone

Ryan Brady’s inclusion in CRN’s Next-Gen Solution Provider Leaders list is a significant achievement, not just for him but for everyone at Premier Cloud. It’s a testament to the hard work, dedication, and innovative thinking that defines our team and drives our success. 

We look forward to building on this momentum as we transform the IT channel, empower our clients, and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

By Aryan Irani

As AI continues to evolve, Google’s Gemini AI models, developed by DeepMind, have made it easier for everyone—from individuals to businesses—to benefit from powerful AI tools. Whether you’re looking to speed up simple tasks or take on complex projects, there’s a Gemini model suited to your needs. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key Gemini models and help you decide which one is right for you.

Meet the Gemini Family

The Gemini models are designed to handle various tasks, from quick, real-time responses to more complex, data-heavy applications. Below, we’ve outlined three of the main models—Gemini 1.5 Flash, Flash-8B, and Pro—so you can quickly see which one fits your requirements.

Quick Comparison of Gemini Models

We’ve made it easy to compare the key features of each model in the table below. Whether you’re after speed, complexity, or enterprise-level performance, this table helps you pick the right option.

What Are Tokens and Why Do They Matter?

Tokens represent pieces of the input or output text that the model processes. Think of tokens as chunks of words, parts of a sentence, or data points. A higher number of tokens means the model can handle longer and more complex tasks, while fewer tokens suit quicker, simpler tasks. For example, if you need to work with large data sets or generate long, detailed outputs, a model with a higher token count—like Gemini 1.5 Pro—would be ideal. On the other hand, for faster, real-time responses in customer service, a lower token count in Gemini 1.5 Flash would work perfectly.

What’s Important to Know About Each Model?

Gemini 1.5 Flash

This model is all about speed. It’s great for tasks that need quick responses, like customer service chatbots or real-time data analysis. Think of it as a fast, reliable worker who delivers results without much delay. If you’re dealing with simple tasks that need to be done right away, this model is a great fit.

Gemini 1.5 Flash-8B

This is the more advanced version of the Flash model. It’s still fast, but with 8 billion parameters, it can handle more complex tasks. If your work involves multitasking or analyzing both text and images at the same time (like in voice assistants or image recognition), this model provides a good balance of speed and complexity.

Gemini 1.5 Pro

For big, enterprise-level tasks, the Pro model is your go-to. It’s designed for companies that need high performance and detailed, accurate responses. Whether you’re working with large datasets, analyzing healthcare information, or generating financial reports, this model offers the power and accuracy needed for critical tasks.

A Glimpse Into Google AI Studio

Google AI Studio is a platform designed to make it easy for you to experiment with these Gemini models. It’s like a testing ground where you can quickly try out different AI models by entering prompts and seeing how the models respond. The interface lets you choose from different models, view the token count, and adjust advanced settings before running your prompts. Once you find something that works, you can even export the code and integrate it into your applications. It’s a great way to see how the different Gemini models perform, helping you pick the right one for your project.

How to Choose the Right Model

When choosing the best Gemini AI model, it really comes down to what you need it to do. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

• Need something fast for simpler tasks? Go for Gemini 1.5 Flash. It’s fast and effective for everyday tasks that require quick, real-time responses.
• Want speed but need to handle more complexity? The Gemini 1.5 Flash-8B gives you the speed of Flash with the ability to process more complicated inputs, making it great for advanced chatbots or apps that involve both text and images.
• Working with large-scale, high-accuracy projects? Choose the Gemini 1.5 Pro. This model is perfect for enterprises, handling big data, financial analysis, or in-depth healthcare tasks with ease.

Making the Most of Gemini AI Models

Now that you know the basics, using Gemini AI models is easy. You can experiment with them on platforms like Google AI Studio to get a feel for how they work and see which one suits your needs best. Whether you’re automating customer support, building an AI assistant, or diving into detailed data analysis, there’s a Gemini model ready to help.

By Aryan Irani

Small to mid-size businesses receive PDF invoices from vendors and need to store details like invoice number, date of invoice, total amount, and vendor name. Doing this manually for all your vendors is a tedious and time-consuming process. In this blog we are going to be automating the process of extracting details from PDFs and populating the Google Sheet using the Gemini 1.5 Flash model and Google Apps Script.

The Problem with Manual Invoice Processing

Manually processing invoices is a tedious and inefficient task. It involves poring over countless PDF documents, meticulously extracting data, and entering it into spreadsheets or databases. This process is not only time-consuming but also prone to human errors, which can lead to costly consequences.

Imagine a scenario where your accounts payable team spends hours each week manually processing invoices. This not only delays payments but also increases the risk of errors, potentially damaging relationships with your vendors. Moreover, manual data entry ties up your team’s time, preventing them from focusing on more strategic tasks that drive business growth.

What can this Automation do?

This function is designed to automate the process of manual data entry inside of Google Sheets. This function uses the Gemini 1.5 Flash model to extract required/ specific details from the Google Sheet and populate the Google Sheet. Here’s a high-level overview of how the solution works:

1. PDF Conversion: The Google Apps Script converts your PDF invoices into a format that Gemini 1.5 Flash can easily understand.
2. Data Extraction: The script interacts with Gemini 1.5 Flash, providing it with the converted invoice data and instructions on what information to extract.
3. Spreadsheet Update: The extracted data is seamlessly populated into a Google Sheet, ready for further processing or analysis.

Now that we have understood the problem and the possible solution, let’s get coding.

Sample Google Sheet

The Google Sheet that I will be using for this blog contains the following details:

Write the Automation Script

While you are in the Google Sheet, let’s open up the Script Editor to write some Google Apps Script. To open the Script Editor, follow these steps:

Click on Extensions and open Apps Script:

This brings up the Script Editor:

Now, enter the code:

function processPdfToSheet() {
 var archiveFolderId = "YOUR ARCHIVE FOLDER ID"; 
 const folderId1 = "YOUR FOLDER ID";
 var folder = DriveApp.getFolderById(folderId1);
 var files = folder.getFiles();

 while (files.hasNext()) {
   var file = files.next();
   if (file.getMimeType() === MimeType.PDF) { // Filter PDF files
     var fileId = file.getId();
     var pdfContent = convertPdfToGoogleDoc(fileId, folder);
     var responseData = sendToGemini(pdfContent);
     var details = extractFields(responseData);

     // Update Google Sheet with extracted details
     updateSheet(details);

     // Move the original PDF and the converted Google Doc to the archive folder
     var archiveFolder = DriveApp.getFolderById(archiveFolderId);
     moveFileToArchive(file, archiveFolder);
   }
 }
}

The convertPdfToGoogleDoc() function processes a PDF file by retrieving its content, creating a new Google Doc with extracted text, and then deleting the converted Google Doc to avoid clutter. We use the Drive API and DocumentApp to perform these operations, ensuring accurate text extraction. 

We then return the extracted text content, which can be further processed or used in applications.

function sendToGemini(pdfData) {
 const GEMINI_KEY = 'YOUR_GEMINI_KEY';
 const GEMINI_ENDPOINT = `https://generativelanguage.googleapis.com/v1beta/models/gemini-1.5-flash-latest:generateContent?key=${GEMINI_KEY}`;
 var headers = {
   "Content-Type": "application/json",
   "Accept": "application/json"
 };
 var requestBody = {
   "contents": [
     {
       "parts": [
         {
           "text": `extract the following details: Vendor Name: Invoice Number: Amount Due: Due Date: Description Tax: \n${pdfData}`
         }
       ]
     }
   ]
 };
 var options = {
   "method": "POST",
   "headers": headers,
   "payload": JSON.stringify(requestBody)
 };
 try {
   var response = UrlFetchApp.fetch(GEMINI_ENDPOINT, options);
   var datanew = JSON.parse(response.getContentText());
   return datanew;
 } catch (error) {
   Logger.log('Error calling Gemini API: ' + error);
   return null;
 }
}

We then use the sendToGemini() function to interact with Gemini 1.5 Flash to process and extract data from the text content. We construct a request that contains our prompt that specifies the details we want to extract from the content and then send the request to Gemini 1.5 Flash. 

In case of errors, it logs an error message and returns null. If successful, it returns the extracted details that we received from Gemini 1.5 Flash. 

function extractFields(datanew) {
 if (!datanew || !datanew.candidates || !datanew.candidates.length) {
   Logger.log('No valid data returned from Gemini.');
   return {};
 }

 var textContent = datanew.candidates[0].content.parts[0].text;
 textContent = textContent.replace(/- /g, '').trim();
 var lines = textContent.split('\n');

 var details = {};
 lines.forEach(function (line) {
   var parts = line.split(':');
   if (parts.length === 2) {
     var key = parts[0].replace(/\*\*/g, '').trim();
     var value = parts[1].replace(/\*\*/g, '').trim();
     details[key] = value;
   }
 });

 return details;
}

We use the extractFields() function to process the response from Gemini 1.5 Flash to extract relevant details. We check the validity of the response, extract the text content, split it into lines and iterate through each line to identify key-value pairs. 

These extracted details, such as Vendor Name, Invoice Number, and others, are returned in a structured object for further use.

function updateSheet(details) {
 var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet().getSheetByName("Invoices");
 var range = sheet.getDataRange();
 var values = range.getValues();

 var vendorName = details['Vendor Name'];
 var nameFound = false;

 var currentDate = Utilities.formatDate(new Date(), Session.getScriptTimeZone(), 'MM/dd/yy');
 var formattedDateTime = Utilities.formatDate(new Date(), Session.getScriptTimeZone(), "yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss");

 for (var i = 1; i < values.length; i++) {
   if (values[i][2].toLowerCase() === vendorName.toLowerCase()) { // Compare by Vendor Name
     nameFound = true;
     sheet.getRange(i + 1, 1).setValue(details['Invoice Number']); // Column A
     sheet.getRange(i + 1, 6).setValue(details['Amount Due']); // Column F
     sheet.getRange(i + 1, 7).setValue(details['Due Date']); // Column G
     sheet.getRange(i + 1, 9).setValue("Last updated at: " + formattedDateTime); // Column I
     Logger.log("Updated Row " + (i + 1));
     break;
   }
 }

 if (!nameFound) {
   Logger.log("Vendor not found: " + vendorName);
   var newRow = values.length + 1;

   sheet.getRange(newRow, 1).setValue(details['Invoice Number']); // Column A
   sheet.getRange(newRow, 3).setValue(vendorName); // Column C
   sheet.getRange(newRow, 4).setValue(details['Description']); // Column D
   sheet.getRange(newRow, 5).setValue(vendorName); // Column E
   sheet.getRange(newRow, 6).setValue(details['Amount Due']); // Column F
   sheet.getRange(newRow, 7).setValue(details['Due Date']); // Column G
   sheet.getRange(i + 1, 9).setValue("Last updated at: " + formattedDateTime); // Column I
   Logger.log("New Row Added");
 }
}

The updateSheet() function is responsible for managing entries within the Google Sheet. It first checks if the client or vendor already exists in the sheet. If a matching entry is found, the function updates the existing record with the new details. However, if no existing record is found, a new entry is created to store the information.

function moveFileToArchive(file, archiveFolder) {
 file.moveTo(archiveFolder);
}

The moveFileToArchive() function is a simple help function that takes the file and moves it to the archive folder after the data extraction and the Google Sheet is updated. 

Our code is complete and good to go.

Check the Output

It’s time to see if the code is able to access the invoices, extract details and update the Google Sheet successfully. 

Conclusion

In today’s digital age, automation is key to staying competitive. By harnessing the power of Gemini 1.5 Flash and Google Apps Script, you can transform your invoice processing workflow, saving time, reducing errors, and empowering your team to focus on what truly matters.

We encourage you to explore the possibilities of this solution and discover how it can revolutionize your data extraction processes. Remember, automation is not just about efficiency; it’s about unlocking new opportunities for growth and innovation.

To see the full code in one place, click here.

VICTORIA, BC, September 10, 2024 – Premier Cloud is excited to announce the promotion of Jason Murray-Rosel to Head of Client Success. Previously serving as Client Success Manager, Jason will now lead the Client Success team, focused on helping clients unlock the full potential of Google Cloud.

In his new role, Jason will deliver strategies to ensure clients optimize their Google Cloud investments, enhancing scalability, productivity, and overall business performance. With a proven track record of driving results and ensuring customer satisfaction, Jason has been pivotal as the primary point of contact for clients. Under his leadership, the client success team will continue to strengthen Premier Cloud’s client-centric approach, further maximizing the value clients gain from our cloud services and solutions.

Jason’s promotion is a reflection of his dedication, expertise, and ability to guide clients through their cloud journeys. As Premier Cloud continues to grow and expand its services, Jason’s role will be crucial in ensuring that clients not only adopt Google Cloud effectively but also use it to its fullest potential to drive growth and efficiency.

Victoria, BC, August 22, 2024 — Premier Cloud Inc. is proud to announce its newly established partnership with Lumin, a cloud-based e-Signature & document management solution, to elevate the efficiency and functionality of Google Workspace for its clients.

Lumin, known for its seamless integration with Google Workspace, offers a robust suite of tools designed to streamline document workflows. These tools enable real-time collaboration, secure storage, and advanced document editing directly within the Google ecosystem.

Premier Cloud, a leading provider of Google Cloud services, recognizes the importance of meeting the evolving needs of modern businesses. With this partnership, Premier Cloud reinforces its commitment to delivering comprehensive cloud solutions that enhance business operations across various sectors.

Key features of Lumin’s integration with Google Workspace include:

• Efficient eSignature management
• Real-time collaboration for improved workflow
• Merging of multiple documents into a single PDF
• Direct text editing within PDF files
• Scanning capabilities that ensure documents are searchable and readable

This partnership underscores Premier Cloud’s dedication to innovation and customer success by providing tools that drive productivity and simplify document management.

For more information, please contact: 
Alex Shahbazfar
alex.s@premiercloud.com 
888-866-2230

VICTORIA, BC. August 7, 2024 — Premier Cloud Inc. is thrilled to announce its 8th-place ranking on CRN’s 2024 Fast Growth 150 list. This accomplishment affirms Premier Cloud as a leading cloud solutions provider in North America, highlighted by an impressive two-year growth rate of 242%.

The CRN Fast Growth 150 list recognizes the fastest-growing technology solution providers in North America. Rankings are based on the two-year growth rate of companies with gross annual sales of at least $1 million. Our notable achievements in Data Analytics, Infrastructure Services, and Cloud Migrations have been pivotal in driving our success and earning this recognition.

Premier Cloud’s business revolves around delivering bespoke solutions, tailored to address the unique business challenges and needs of our clients. Our client-centric approach is at the heart of our growth strategy, ensuring we consistently meet and exceed our clients’ expectations with each interaction. The company’s focus on client satisfaction is reflected in its exceptional client churn rate of less than 1%. 

Looking forward, we are excited to continue our journey of growth and advancement while further strengthening our relationships with clients and partners. We remain committed to delivering top-notch solutions that drive business success and transformation.

For more information, please contact: 
Alex Shahbazfar
alex.s@premiercloud.com 
888-866-2230