Item: Dropbox
Rating: 10
Author: Graham McNeill

Overall Satisfaction with Dropbox

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I primarily use my Dropbox to move files from my Desktop to Laptop and vice-versa. I also use it to share photos, videos, etc. with my mum back home in the UK; sharing photos of the kids and messages between them, as well as links to movies and the like.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Notifying me when a file changes
Allowing me to keep track of what I've moved and when
Speed of upload and download of files.

Cons

Sometimes it sticks on Synching for a loooong time.
The icon on my Finder for Dropbox is greyed out and I can't just drag files into it without opening a new Finder window.
Sometimes (quite often) Dropbox 'Fails to Start' and takes a loooong time to restart.

Return on Investment

It allows me to know exactly what the most up to date files are.
Has made sure I don't share an obsolete document.
Makes it clear when I'm working on the latest version of a document.

Usability

Because it's intuitive in its controls and UI. I know exactly what I need to do to move, change, or otherwise adapt a file. I know, almost without looking, where the file I need to find is located, and whether or not it's the right one. I work on a lot of files that are updating regularly, so having a great version control system in place is vital.

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

Likelihood to Recommend

For transferring files quickly and easily between folk, it's easy to drag and drop. Using it to make sure all my files, across all my machines, are fully backed up and up to date with files that are often subject to daily change. Using it to keep everyone who shares (or needs access to) the files I use and change is also something Dropbox does well.

Dropbox Feature Ratings

Using Dropbox

Users and Roles

1 - I am the sole trader as a freelance writer. I use it to transfer research materials between machines, and to keep my files updated so I know I'm always using the right one.

Support Headcount Required

1 - Just me.

Business Processes Supported

Keeping files always up to date with the latest versions.
Secure transfer of research materials.
Sharing project files for collaboration.

Innovative Uses

Document signing
Collaborative work
Sending folder links for multiple files to collaborators

Future Planned Uses

Real time collaboration

Likelihood to Renew

I've used it for so long and know how it works that it feels silly switching horses in the middle of the race.

Evaluating Dropbox and Competitors

Products Replaced

Yes - I used USBs or detachable Hard Drives. I replaced them as it was all too easy to lose a USB, and hard drives are/were often bulky and cumbersome to bring out and about if I wanted to work in a location other than my office.

Key Differentiators

Ease of Use

Dropbox just...works. It's that simple. It does what I need it to do without too many bells and whistles.

Evaluation Lessons Learned

It wouldn't. Ever since I switched to Dropbox, I've had no issues.

Dropbox Implementation

Implementation Details / Implementation Partner

Implemented in-house

Implementation Phases

Dropbox Support

Support Rating

Never used support.

Dropbox Customer Support Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
None	None

Using Dropbox

Usability Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar	None