Google Drive is a free cloud computing data storage service that allows you to store important files, documents, photos, and other types of media on one of Google’s servers so that you can access them from anywhere in the world. The service is provided by the massive American search engine Google and offers up to 15 gigabytes of storage space. We will explain the benefits of using Google Drive.
You may believe that Google Drive is simply another cloud storage option, where you can save your documents and data online.
Why Do You Need Google Drive
1. Save Any Kind of File
One of the benefits of using Google Drive is that you can store any type of file. Working with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel files directly from Drive is possible, as is converting a wide range of file formats to Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides formats.
Whether using an Android or iOS smartphone, an Apple Mac, a Windows PC, a Chromebook, or another device, you can create, edit, and view your documents from any device. Mobility is not an afterthought; it is an integral aspect of the whole experience.
2. Support Team Working
All of the same files are accessible to all members of a team or project thanks to shared drives, formerly known as team drives. You can be sure that everyone is always seeing the most recent version of the file, which includes all of the modifications and recommendations made by everyone since there is only ever one copy of any file.
Users may comment on or approve any file from Drive, and you can request input or approval on any file from any device, desktop, or mobile. Consequently, even if you have an urgent deadline or your coworkers are not in the office, approvals still flow with the flow of your team. Working together and sharing files with partners, vendors, and coworkers is simple when using Google Drive. Everything is intuitive and occurs in real-time.
3. Better Efficiency
One of the advantages of using Google Drive is the efficiency it provides. The Drive employs artificial intelligence (AI) from Google to identify and present to you, via improved search, the Priority page, and Quick Access, the stuff that requires your attention or that you are likely to want to work on.
Consequently, you save time while searching for the necessary files. You may also access files straight from PC folders using Drive File Stream, which reduces the amount of time you have to wait for files to sync before you can begin to work.
4. Keep Your Files Secure
Respect the rules and standards about data compliance. You determine whether a user may download, modify, comment on, or just see a file. You can also decide which users have access to each file and what they can do with it. With a few clicks, you may revoke any rights you’ve provided at any moment and specify an expiration date to automatically remove access at a certain period.
Even without a Google account, you may safely share material with other parties by using pin codes that require identity verification before granting access. Moreover, Vault for Drive, centralized administration, and data loss prevention allow you to simply manage users and file sharing to satisfy data compliance requirements.
5. Ideal for Contemporary Teamwork Patterns
One of the best benefits of using Google Drive is that it is a perfect tool for collaboration. However, the majority of cloud storage options weren’t designed with team deployment in mind. As a result, business team members were frustrated trying to find, organize, and fix their content’s access issues.
Google unveiled Team Drives, a well-known, straightforward, and evident solution designed for business teams that include features that IT administrators would like, such as content and access control capabilities.
Google completely redesigned the ownership, computation, and content-sharing models, including the API and the end-user interface layer that leads down to the storage system. It made Team Drives clear, predictable, and easy to comprehend for huge teams in enterprise-grade enterprises by using a super-shared content model.
6. Cost-Effective
Without switching to a new email system or abandoning your current tools, including Microsoft Office, Google Workspace Essentials provides all the functionality you want to fully use Google Drive. Drive also offers monthly savings of over 60% when compared to Zoom and Box.
With all these advantages, it is understandable why Forester, in their evaluation of enterprise file sync and share platforms, ranked Drive as a leader for cloud solutions.
7. Compatibility
Compatibility is one of the advantages of using Google Drive. Examining the extensive list of compatible devices in more detail allows us to continue enjoying the advantages of Google Docs and all the other Google Drive products.
Regarding the devices you may use to access this service, there are almost no restrictions. Performance characteristics and operating systems won’t be a concern for you. As long as you have internet access, Google Drive works on any computer, laptop, smartphone, tablet, or even wristwatch. It is one of the best benefits of using Google Drive.
8. Excellent UI
You can expect the same fantastic user experience whether you use the Google Drive app or the browser to access the service. You will be able to quickly browse the menus, upload new documents, update them, and share everything—even if this is your first time using the service.
A Brief Overview of Google Slides, Docs & Sheets
The office suite on Google Drive consists of Google Docs, Google Slides, and Google Sheets: Word processing is done using Docs, presentations are done with Slides, and spreadsheet work is done with Sheets. These are just some benefits of using Google Drive and are comparable to Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Microsoft Excel, in that order.
The Google versions are straightforward, collaborative, and cost-free, but lack some of the features of the Microsoft Office programs. Users may create and modify spreadsheets, documents, and presentations in each of the suite’s applications, which they can then save on Google Drive. Browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Edge may be used to access the applications on the web.
Additionally, there are iOS and Android mobile applications. Users may store, edit, and share files in Microsoft Office formats with each program.
FAQ
Q: Can I use Google Drive for free?
A: Google Drive is a free service that allows you 15 GB of storage. If you want more storage, you need to buy it.
Q: What is Google Drive used for?
A: Google Drive is a free cloud-based file storage and retrieval service that lets you save files online and retrieve them from anywhere. You can create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more using Google Drive’s free online apps.
Q: Is Google Drive a cloud computing platform?
A: Although they serve different purposes, Google Drive and Google Cloud Storage are both cloud storage options. They were developed by Google to provide people and companies with the precise tools and features needed to promote cooperation and enable users to view their files from any location.
