OneDrive for Business – A comprehensive guide
| December 10, 2019
OneDrive for Business offers interesting features for companies to consider when implementing cloud storage. What is this version and how is it different from the personal version? This guide explains the differences and fills you in on all that you need to know.
What is Microsoft OneDrive for Business?
Microsoft OneDrive for Business is the enterprise version of the OneDrive system. It lets companies upload, share and organize business files. It also allows teams to view and edit files using programs from the Office 365 suite. There are different professional packages that offer varying storage sizes. Ultimately, it’s a version of a commonly-used software that caters to the business savvy.
Important differences between the personal and business version of OneDrive
The biggest difference between OneDrive and OneDrive for Business is the control of content. The account user controls the personal drive. The organization controls the business drive and gives admins the power to restrict user access. The business edition of OneDrive unfortunately doesn’t meet the standards set by other cloud storage systems, such as digital asset management.
The personal version is for personal files, though collaboration is possible in the personal account. The user can share their files with whomever they choose. The business version also allows for collaboration but organizations set up the choice of collaborators. In a sense, this makes the business version more restrictive when it comes to sharing. However, this is a good thing.
Pricing and storage packages for OneDrive business edition
Some packages come with Office 365 tools included and some do not. This should be calculated into your research and pricing comparisons when deciding to implement OneDrive for your business. The first two packages listed below will not have the Office 365 programs (Word, Powerpoint, etc.) included. The third package will.
The OneDrive for Business Plan 1 is a $5.00/user/month storage plan. It requires a one year commitment. The maximum storage space included in this plan is 1TB. No Office tools are included in this option.
The OneDrive for Business Plan 2 is a $10.00/user/month storage plan. It requires a one year commitment. This package comes with unlimited storage. No Office tools are included in this option.
The Office 365 Business Premium package is $12.50/user/month. It requires a one year commitment. This package comes with unlimited storage and includes Office 365.
Some unique features offered
One exciting feature of OneDrive is the ability to sync home accounts to business accounts for quick merging of files. An example where this would be handy is if a user is working on a file at home on their personal OneDrive space and wishes to merge it to their business account, this is possible.
Another way OneDrive appeals to users is its extensive integration with Office programs such as Word. Teams can take important files and collaborate on them using Office 365 tools included in the Office 365 Business Premium package. This allows teams the chance to stay within the means of their expertise when adding the new cloud system.
OneDrive has some unique capabilities for businesses. Discover how it can store and organize your important business files.