Everyone seems to be talking about the cloud today, and nearly everyone is using the cloud in some way, shape, or form. Some companies are approaching cloud usage with aplomb and they are actual leaders in the field, forging the way to ensure customers that the cloud is indeed a good and a safe idea. One of the top companies in this field today is Google, and they’ve embraced the cloud as few other businesses have. They offer a wide range of different types of services and options for their customers, and in this piece, we’ll be reviewing Google Drive.
We’ll look at the pros and cons, and the costs of using this service, which is really beginning to gain favor with more and more people on the web. Keep in mind that this is just one of the many different types of Google offerings in the cloud.
What Is Google Drive?
First, you have to understand what Google Drive is. It’s a cloud storage service, and it allows users to store all of their important files online “in the cloud”. They allow people to store a large variety of different types of files as well. It is possible to store documents, videos, photos, and many other types of files on Internet servers rather than only on your own hard drives. This also eliminates the need to store your files solely on USB drives, as so many people have been doing for years.
Benefits of Google Drive
Those who use the system will find that they are able to create and edit documents, presentations, spreadsheets, and more through the tools the system offers. They are also able to open their files from any computer that has a connection to the Internet. Users can also download and utilize apps on their phones and tablets, so they can have truly mobile access to their files whenever and wherever they need it.
Another nice thing about the service is that you will be able to invite others to collaborate on your documents with you. If you are working with people across the country, or across the world, on the same project, both of you will be able to access the file. You can choose how much the other person is able to do with the file. You can have them only be able to read the file, or you can give them permission to change and edit the file, as well.
This sort of collaboration is far easier than the other methods people have been using, such as sending files back and forth via email. One of the issues with collaborations through email is that all of the parties working together might not actually be working on the same version of the file, which will lead to confusion down the line.
Google Drive makes for a perfect additional backup for your files. Still, even though the cloud is a phenomenal way to store your files, no matter which system you use, there is always a slim chance that something could go wrong and you could lose a file. While the chance of this is very small, there is still a small chance that you could lose a file. Never keep your only copies in the cloud. Keep them as backups, but continue to use your other methods of storing your files, whether it is an external hard drive or a flash drive. Having a redundant copy simply means you are never fully at a loss if something happens to one instance of the file.
When you have those backups though, you do need to make sure you update the files with the latest copies. The cloud service is something that can do this automatically, which is another one of the benefits it confers. When you are storing on hard drives, you will have to update them manually.
Because the files are on Internet servers, users do not have to rely on only their hard drives to access the information they store. This means that if someone was to steal their computer or device, or if they were to lose it in a fire or accident, their files are still safe and easily accessible. Since so much emphasis is placed on digital files in the workplace today, it makes sense to utilize the cloud as much as possible.
The Tools
With Google Docs, you also have access to a suite of different tools to create many different types of documents. Their suite of tools allows you to create five different types of documents currently, including text documents, spreadsheets, forms, drawings, and presentations. One of the real benefits to this is that it allows everyone you collaborate with people without all of you needing to have the same type of software. You can all use the tools directly from Google to make things easier on you.
What Does Google Drive Cost?
As with many of the other types of storage services out there, it starts with a certain amount of space free for those who sign up. They currently offer 15GB of free storage space, which is actually a decent amount of free space for your files. For many customers, this will be all of the space they need, especially if one is storing mainly text documents.
However, for those who have a larger number of videos and photos, it can eat through this space relatively quickly, and they may need to upgrade to one of the larger and more robust plans. Some people may find that the storage space allotted is simply not enough for their needs. This is especially the case for small businesses and entrepreneurs who are making daily use of the cloud storage. Fortunately, it is possible to purchase additional space.
Currently, the cost of additional storage is $1.99 per month for 100GB, and $9.99 for 1TB. Those who want even more space can choose 10TB for $99.99 a month, 20TB for $199.99 a month, and 30TB for $299.99 a month. These prices are before the addition of taxes. While the price for 30TB of storage might seem to be quite high, consider just how much space that actually is and how many additional external hard drives your company would have to buy in order to accommodate that much storage space. This is an ideal solution for those who need to have a substantial amount of space that is cost effective and easy to use.
If you are thinking about using Google Drive, it’s a good idea to test it out first, just to make sure it is something that will suit your needs. Use those 15GB to see how everything works and to make sure it is easy to access from all of your devices.
Something else you will want to remember is that even though this is the price of the service currently, it is subject to change. Always look at the latest pricing plan, as well as the latest features, from Google Drive before you make your final decision on whether you will use the service or not.
Overall, the service offers quite a number of benefits, and since you can try 15GB of the service without any risk at all, there is no real downside. If you like the way it performs, and you find you need to have more space, upgrading is easy. It is certainly well worth a consideration.