Item: Google Drive
Rating: 9
Author: Joshua Melder

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Google Drive is one of the primary cloud storage tools that our organization uses. Drive is an incredible resource that enables employees to store important documents in the cloud and access them from locations across the world. The benefit of this cannot be understated - as this feature increases communication, collaboration, and productivity across the workforce. Furthermore, if paired with other Google applications, Drive contributes to a collaborative experience where multiple users can work on documents at the same time. Drive is used in most administrative areas of our organization and it has definitely helped the workforce feel more prepared to tackle modern business challenges.

Pros and Cons

Document Storage: Drive enables users to store a high volume of varying types of documents. The storage limits are also extremely useful for large-sized files.
Global Access: Drive enables users to access their saved documents anywhere with an internet connection. This improves overall throughput and accessibility.
Permissions: Drive allows the owner of documents to share content with others in a variety of ways. This enables a largely collaborative platform.

Drive is expensive for the amount of storage included within the price.
File navigation has room for improvement - as it can sometimes be difficult to tell between documents shared with you and user-created ones.
Working with Drive is most ideal when all parties also have access to Drive. Functionality is lost if a user is not logged in.

Return on Investment

Employees no longer run the risk of forgetting documentation during travel. If uploaded to Drive, this work goes with them wherever they go.
Collaboration has decreased the number of different copies floating around the office. There is a single source of truth that all can edit.
Being able to track changes on documents by a user is extremely beneficial when looking to review previous versions.

Usability

Google Drive is one of the essential business tools out there that keep people working. Individuals have the ability to collaborate and communicate instantaneously through the platform in order to better themselves and their organizations. I give this product a ten because of the immense benefit provided to all individuals who use it.

Support Rating

As one of the premier cloud-based platforms in existence, Drive is consistently being updated and improved for better performance and reliability. Furthermore, the ability to leverage Google's immense web-based strength only enables more support going forward. As more and more businesses begin to adopt cloud technology, the benefits will continue to be felt across the platform.

Alternatives Considered

OneDrive, Dropbox Business and Dropbox

Google Drive is a very comparable tool to many of the marquee cloud storage systems that I have used. However, I would say that Drive has one key advantage. The sharing and collaborative options for Drive are unparalleled from my own user experience. Overall, I have had a much better experience with Google compared to the other platforms listed.

Other Software Used

Eventbrite, Brainshark, Google Voice

Likelihood to Recommend

Google Drive is extremely well-suited for a collaborative workforce. It is extremely valuable for those who work in administrative roles who would benefit by having mobile access to their stored documents. For example, Drive is extremely well-suited for individuals within sales who often travel from their home base location. The ability to store their documents in the cloud - in order to access them from anywhere is extremely valuable. Google Drive may be less suited for individuals who travel less - or even those who work within the manufacturing world (on the floor). However, Drive has the ability to benefit everyone due to the accessible nature of the platform.

Google Drive Offers A Comprehensive Cloud-Based Storage Platform Fit to Scale

Overall Satisfaction with Google Drive