Purpose and Solved Problems
When
initially released in 2012, Google Drive provided many with an alternative to
Microsoft Office. Drive is essentially, “a
file storage and synchronization service” this in turn, allows users to store,
edit, synchronize, and share files across a multitude of devices (Google
1). Additionally, Drive also includes
Google Docs, Sheets and Slides (Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point counter
parts). Each of these is a way to
transfer, edit, and share files with other uses in a short amount of time,
ensuring speed and accessibility to all.
When
it comes to businesses, Google Drive functions to quickly and easily share
files among members of a team, with no storage limits with certain editions. This is important when it comes to today’s businesses,
that are centered around teamwork, efficiency, and effectiveness. Ensuring that that power point is completed
by 12 for the big meeting isn’t an issue anymore, as concurrent edits can take
place that help teams complete work faster.
And when they’re done, that file can quickly be transferred to the manager
till presentation time, all within one application.
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| The Google Drive Interface |
Attempting to use Google Drive
All
of what I just mentioned may sound complicated, but in all honesty, it really
isn’t for anyone who has used any sort of Office suite product. It’s as simple as obtaining a Google account,
and bam, you’re good to go! After a few
short minutes with drive, it is easy enough to pick up, and the app functions
in a very similar manner. The app is
extremely important, as it allows access to all the important documents that
were previously only accessible via a desktop or laptop, right at our finger
tips. Need to review the presentation
before the big meeting? No problem, the slides can be pulled up on your phone
and viewed with ease.
Google Drive Features
Other
than the aforementioned features, such as the amazing ability to edit and view
on the go, there are additional features that I feel I should touch on,
especially for business needs. G Suite
offers three tiers of pricing, with Basic at $5 per user per month, Business at
$10 per user per month, and Enterprise at $25 per user per month. Each tier offers additional features or
storage that the other did not, among these are increased security, unlimited
storage at the Business and enterprise tier, audit reports, and at the Enterprise
level, encryption and data loss prevention.
For major corporations, the ability to encrypt files with “Enterprise-grade
access control with security key enforcement”, is a major and important
advancement (G Suite 1). This makes
drive a viable and secure product for businesses. This allows a business to be agile and always get a service that is exactly what they need. If I'm a smaller business, Basic may suffice, but as demand and businesses get larger and larger, I would continually look at the other plans, allows Google Drive to grow with your business.
Since
security is such a hot button issue, and with many competitors on the heels of
Google, such as Dropbox, there is a devoted place on Google’s website to Cutting-edge cloud security,
which I will also link to. It’s
reassuring to see that despite all the potential for security weakness, if one
pays for the Enterprise edition, many benefits, such as that state of the art
security come with it, which may be worth it for a business with sensitive
information.
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| The Google Suite |
My Experience
Google
Drive is a tool that promotes rapid ingenuity and development of ideas thanks
to its on-the-go and collaborative features. Essentially, Google has solved the
problem that is the reason why Drive was created in the first place. I can say that in utilizing Google Drive and
its associated applications throughout primary school and college, there is no
doubt in my mind that it is useful to a student or team working on a project or
other collaborative effort. However,
does that mean it’s good for enterprise use?
I feel that, yes, as it solves a lot of problems for business professionals,
especially when concerning collaborative efforts and file sharing. Google has also done an excellent job in
addressing security concerns with its premium plans. I have used drive in a professional setting
at a school district and can confirm it does work. With the many alternatives available however,
I’d encourage any business professional to do research on other competitors,
such as Dropbox, and ensure that it solves the problems in the most effective
way in relation to their business needs.
As both may be more beneficial in certain scenarios.
Sources
“G Suite Pricing Plans.” Google, Google, gsuite.google.com/pricing.html.
“Google Drive.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 13 May 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Drive.
Additional Readings:
https://technologyadvice.com/blog/information-technology/dropbox-vs-google-drive/
https://gsuite.google.com/security/?secure-by-design_activeEl=data-centers
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