Item: Google Drive
Rating: 8
Author: RIDWAN AHAMMAD

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use Google Drive to collaborate with our field team to collect and analyze data in real-time. It helps us to collect our merchant documents directly into the drive from Google form so that we don't have to wait for the physical documents. We can verify all the documents instantly and guide our agent if everything is in order. We collect candidate CVs via Google Drive so it mitigates our problem of storing and sharing at the same time.

Pros and Cons

Collaboration with others is a breeze. We can share instantly both via links or Gmail [addresses] and thanks to Android everyone has a Google account now.
Team members can upload documents to a specific Drive location
You can create different levels of permission for different collaborators

Right now it only creates one link for sharing. Separate links for view, download, and edit will be more convenient
It doesn't offer the option to transfer the images to Google Photos which would be a great help for photo management
The mobile version became useless as you need Sheets for viewing Excel, Docs for Word files. Google should at least provide a viewer in Drive. All cloud storage [has] one now.

Most Important Features

File sharing and collaboration in real time
Desktop version allows to work on different file types from one single place
Control over individual permission

Return on Investment

Google drive saves almost a day in my doc collection process
My HR team can sort date-wise applicants instantly. Which needs another person otherwise.
Control over permission means non-management people can't tinker with your data or formatting other than viewing

Alternatives Considered

MediaFire, Dropbox and Box

Google's own data and a word processor is the main factor in choosing Drive. Another thing I like about Google over Microsoft is the shareable link, which is more interpretable and helps me avoid sharing the wrong link.

Key Insights

Do you think Google Drive delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Google Drive's feature set?

Yes

Did Google Drive live up to sales and marketing promises?

I wasn't involved with the selection/purchase process

Did implementation of Google Drive go as expected?

I wasn't involved with the implementation phase

Would you buy Google Drive again?

Yes

Other Software Used

Dropbox, MediaFire, OneDrive

Likelihood to Recommend

If you are using a laptop or desktop, Drive is a very easy-to-use versatile tool. From uploading to sharing and viewing, the whole process is seamless and in one place. The mobile user experience is not as smooth. My field team uses the WPS office to get out Google's requirement of downloading four different apps for four different tasks. Google should bring their desktop experience to mobile as well. Sad thing is, it was the same before.

Best place to keep all your documents

Overall Satisfaction with Google Drive