Full Review
Every business, big or small is inundated with numerous files and records that are stored on local computers. However, local storage is not good or big enough and you need a better solution to take care of your file storage needs. Dropbox is an excellent file storage solution, more so because it saves all your files in the cloud. What this means is that with Dropbox, you can save all your important files online and access them without any hassles no matter where you are. Here’s a look at some of the features of this popular online storage solution.
Online backup
No need to panic if your office computer crashed. All the important files that you’ve been depositing in the Dropbox folder on your computer are safe and can be retrieved easily from the Dropbox website. In addition, any other computer or device that has been synced with your computer would most likely have the latest version of the file that you have saved. However, the only concern here would be to remember to save files in the Dropbox folder because unless you do that, you will not have the latest version with you.
Works offline
You do not always have to be connected to the internet to use Dropbox. If Dropbox is installed on your computer or laptop and you cannot access the internet, you can still retrieve the files from the Dropbox folder on your computer. In addition, when you are connected to the internet again, Dropbox will synchronize the file automatically.
Syncing across devices
It is a multiple device world out there but Dropbox works perfectly across all your devices and platforms including mobile devices. Therefore, whether it’s your iPad or your Android device, you can be sure that if you’ve saved it in your Dropbox folder in one location, it gets updated in all the locations which have been set up by you.
Shared folders for better access
Most projects employ people from different parts of the world working together and Dropbox makes it easier to access different files and folders from different people with the click of a mouse. File and folder sharing becomes simpler and easier when everyone has Dropbox installed on their systems. In addition, Dropbox comes equipped with the ability to let you see changes in files and who made them.
Selective access permissions
It is up to you to decide who can access which file as Dropbox allows you to selectively offer access permissions to your folders. Public folders however can be accessed by everyone.
Secure storage
Dropbox offers a good level of security with SSL and AES-256 bit encryption. By default, it also saves version history of all your files for 30 days. If you want unlimited version history, you will have to upgrade to Dropbox Pro plan. In this plan, you can opt for the Pat-Rat add-on for an additional cost of $40 per year. Pat-Rat add-on will enable unlimited version history for your Dropbox Pro account. You don’t have to do anything if you have a Dropbox team account. Pat-Rat is enabled by default for each member in Dropbox team.
Dropbox Website
In the scenario where you do not have access to a computer that has Dropbox installed on it, you can just as easily download your files from the Dropbox website that would provide you with the latest version that you have previously uploaded.
Mobile friendly
Dropbox is perfectly compatible with your mobile devices and there are apps that you can download and use so that you can access your files on the go. What’s more, you can even edit your files so that everything stays current and updated.
Available space
The Dropbox free version offers 2 GB free space although you can upgrade it by going pro. They offer 50 GB at $9.99 per month and 100 GB at $19.99 per month. They also have Team solutions that are suited for business users with numerous people on their teams although that is invariably more expensive.
Verdict
Although Dropbox has some of these great features, it is considered a good online storage plan for personal use. Business wise, there are a few considerations such as space and costs, which are not as good as other online solutions out there. Paying $9.99 per month for 50 GB seems rather steep and their Team solutions are equally expensive. Storing on the cloud is not as big an issue as how much space you are allotted and in this aspect, Dropbox does not quite stand tall.
Dropbox can be downloaded here
