2 organizations I work with still store files to an on-site server, mostly out of habit. People work with files stored in shared folders on-site. They salvage a re-create of a file when they need to work with it off-site. And if they don't know which folder a file sits inside, search is slow. Both organizations have used Yard Suite for more than two years.

Both organizations at present program to movement their files from an on-site server to Google Drive, thanks to two features Google launched in 2017: Team Drives and Google Drive File Stream.

Squad Drives, which launched in March 2017, simplifies document buying and access. A Team Drive "owns" the files, instead of an individual. As grouping membership changes, admission to the files too changes. Before Team Drives, every Google Drive file or binder was endemic by an individual account — and that'south still true for files and folders stored on an individual's "My Drive." And now every member of a Team Drive can work with every file stored on that Squad Drive.

SEE "How to set up Google Team Drives" (TechRepublic)

Google Drive File Stream, which launched in September 2017, gives your local filesystem access to Google Drive. Yous can view, open up, save, and piece of work with files on Google Bulldoze within File Explorer (on Windows) or the Finder (on macOS). For example, in Windows, yous can access Google Drive as a mapped drive, then right-click a file (or binder) to select items to work with offline.

SEE "Google Killing Drive for Mac and PC, replacing with Bulldoze File Stream" (TechRepublic)

The launch of Team Drives and Google Drive File Stream lets people proceed to work with shared files in a familiar manner. If you're gear up to make the move, here'south how to motion files from a local server to Google Bulldoze. For the following to work, brand sure that both Team Drives and Google Bulldoze File Stream are enabled in the Grand Suite Admin console.

ane. Movement shared files and folders

I recommend a One thousand Suite ambassador handle the initial configuration and file move, since a M Suite administrator tin create whatever folders and manage permissions, every bit needed.

As much as possible, I suggest that y'all attempt to replicate the existing binder and file structure of your existing on-site server on Google Drive. Upload files and folders that anybody can access and edit to a similarly named folder — that everyone can access and edit — on a Team Drive. Upload files that only specific team members can access to a similarly named folder — that only those specific squad members tin can access — on a different Squad Drive. Remember, the upload speed of your cyberspace connectedness will limit how quickly your information can transfer.

two. Move private files and folders

Piece of work with each user to move whatsoever private files — files currently stored in a "private" folder on the server or on an individual's computer — to a similar folder on the user's "My Bulldoze" on Google Drive. Past default, files on "My Bulldoze" are private, unless shared by the user.

three. Deploy apps

Make sure every person has both Chrome and the Google Drive File Stream app installed. In the case of the two organizations I piece of work with, everyone already uses Chrome, and so nosotros simply need to deploy the Google Drive File Stream app. Install these apps with your standard app deployment methods. (If you lot don't apply a tool to manage apps deployments, but install these apps on each system.)

Each person will also need to login to the Google Drive File Stream app with a G Suite account. This connects their filesystem to Google Bulldoze and allows access to all items on Google Drive that they accept permission to access.

iv. Review app links

Next, verify that files open in the appropriate app. For example, open up the Google Drive File Stream mapped bulldoze, and so double-click on a Google Docs file. Chrome should open to allow you to edit the file. Similarly, if yous have Microsoft Word installed, when yous double-click on a Word file in the Google Bulldoze File Stream mapped drive, Discussion should open to let yous to edit the file.

Yous can change the default app associated with files. For instance, if y'all alter the default file association from Give-and-take to Google Bulldoze File Stream for .doc files, Word documents will open inside Google Docs in Chrome, instead of the installed Microsoft Word app. (Here'south how to modify the default program file associations on Windows or on macOS.)

5. Optional: ready offline access

You tin likewise cull specific files and folders for offline access. Select the folder, then right-click (Windows) or control-click (macOS), and choose "Available offline." This works well if you edit documents with installed software, such as Microsoft Role documents. To piece of work with Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides while offline, enable offline access in Chrome.

The move from an on-site server to Google Drive — with Team Drives and Google Bulldoze File Stream — lets people continue to work with files much like they have in the by. But now, files are easier to find and people can piece of work with files anywhere.

What'southward your feel?

Did the launch of Squad Drives and/or the Google Drive File Stream app prompt you lot to switch from an on-site server to Google Drive? What has your experience been with these two apps? Has this eliminated your need for an on-site file server entirely? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter (@awolber).