Item: Dropbox
Rating: 10
Author: Stephen Lalla

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I'm a small business owner/operator. In the course of my business, I operate on a desktop, laptop, iPad, and iPhone and love that all of my files sync. It is important to me to be able to access all of my files from any location. As a promotional products dealer, I am often dealing with large art files, so being able to have a safe and secure place to store those files is important. Oftentimes if a file it way too large to email, I can generate a Dropbox link to send to one of my suppliers. What is really a neat feature in Dropbox is something that allows me to only sync certain folders of my choosing. My laptop doesn't have a lot of file storage space so while the file icon appears on my computer, the actual contents of the file are in the Dropbox cloud. All I need to do is to click on the file name and it immediately downloads that file. This is great, as it allows me to see folder contents without taking up actual space on my laptop hard drive. I have a completely different configuration on my desktop computer, which has a much larger hard drive. In summary, it works seamlessly and it's incredibly affordable.

Pros and Cons

Cloud-based file storage
Computer file syncing
Ease of sharing files with others
Exceedingly affordable
Great user interface

When I use a browser to log in, the screen load is a little slow
Because of the above, I'll go to click on a folder but the screen image changes so I end up clicking on the wrong folder. This happens very often.
Every so often using 4 devices, if I don't stay logged in long enough the sync won't happen properly

Return on Investment

Eliminates the need for paper file storage
Increased file security
Affordable cloud-based solution
Easy to use for any level of tech skill

Alternatives Considered

In addition to Dropbox, I also use Google Drive for my personal/home files. I started another business and for that, I use Zoho Docs file storage solution but have mostly migrated everything into Dropbox. And since my office is all Apple products, all of my mobile devices automatically back up to iCloud, which is convenient as there's nothing I have to do other than the initial setup. Also iCloud syncs with all of my Apple devices. I think Dropbox is a great solution be it business or personal and for me, keeping some separation between my business and my personal life was important and also convenient, as someday I plan on retiring and selling my business and along with that my Dropbox account. Keeping my personal life in GoogleDrive makes any sale or acquisition really simple.

Key Insights

Do you think Dropbox delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Dropbox's feature set?

Yes

Did Dropbox live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Dropbox go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Dropbox again?

Yes

Other Software Used

Zoho CRM, Zoho Books, Zoho Bookings, Zoho Campaigns

Likelihood to Recommend

I consult with some clients who are looking to optimize their business. One of the first things I encourage them to do if they are not already paperless is the transition to a paperless office. I've found that with any size staff, Dropbox can accommodate their needs, as you can allow access depending on your needs. For example, you can have an accounting folder that only those authorized can see, while having a marketing folder that only marketing team members have access to. And have a company folder that everyone can see, which would be company manuals, HR policies, etc. Dropbox continues to make enhancements that make it more functional for any type of business. One feature I love is that you can set an expiration date when sharing a file, which is great for security. Even if you have a large hard drive on your computer, having all of your files backed up in Dropbox is a wise thing to do. In the event of fire or theft of your computer, your files are still safe and available.

Dropbox is all you need for cloud-based file storage

Overall Satisfaction with Dropbox