BACKUP &  SYNC FROM GOOGLE:

Google Drive is preparing to roll out a computer backup tool that will enable users to backup their entire computer. The change will greatly expand the functions of Google Drive by changing it from a basic cloud storage app that requires files to be stored within it. To do this, Google will roll out a new tool called Backup and Sync later this month.(28 June 2017).

HOW BACKUP AND SYNC WILL WORK:

As per Google Team, this will be the newest version of Google Drive for Mac or PC. The computer backup tool will integrate Google Drive with the Google Photos desktop up-loader, enabling it to any current Drive for Mac/PC settings in the Admin console.

Google’s upcoming computer backup app will function in some ways like cloud storage services. After downloading Backup and Sync tool, Users can automatically backup any folder you tell it to back-up. Also it is possible to tell Google’s computer backup service to automatically backup the user's’ entire hard drive, if they wish.

Backup and Sync also enables users to access the files they have backed up using Google’s computer backup system from anywhere.

BACKUP TOOL DESIGNED FOR CONSUMERS; BUSINESS VERSION COMING SOON

This new backup & Sync tool is mainly designed to be used by consumers. As such, it recommends that business customers who are using G Suite keep using Drive for Mac or PC until their new Drive File Stream is available. Drive File Stream is aimed at enterprises, and it’s currently available to members of Google’s Early Adopter Program. All G Suite Basic, Business, Enterprise, Education and Nonprofit domains will be able to start using Google’s enterprise-focused computer backup system later this year.

Drive File Stream will enable users to access large sets of corporate data without all that data having to take up massive amounts of space on their hard drives. In view of the enterprise-focused app that’s coming later this year, the company won’t automatically upgrade G Suite users from Drive for Mac and PC to its new Backup and Sync system at this time. Enterprise customers who allow their users to install Drive on their own computers will be able to upgrade to Backup and Sync starting on June 28, although users at enterprises that don’t allow use of Google Drive won’t be able to use the computer backup system with G Suite.

Access Drive files on Mac/PC faster, using less disk space

Introducing Drive File Stream — a new way to access all of your Google Drive files directly from your Mac or PC, without using up all your disk space. Unlike traditional file sync tools, Drive File Stream doesn’t require you to download your files first in order to access them from your computer. Instead, when you need to view or edit a file, it automatically streams from the cloud, on-demand. With Drive File Stream, your team will spend less time waiting for files to sync, no time worrying about disk space, and more time being productive.

Get your files in seconds with smarter offline access

With Drive File-stream, files you open are streamed directly from the cloud on-demand. You can also select files or folders that you want to access offline at anytime. The files that you are likely to work on from your Mac or PC become available in the background intelligently, making it much quicker to access them later.

WORK WITH ALL THE TOOLS AND APPS YOU’RE USED TO:

With Drive File Stream, you can work with Drive files directly from the apps you're used to, like Microsoft Word and Adobe Photoshop. Any changes you make to files in those apps are saved automatically to Drive and can be accessed from any of your devices later.

Drive File Stream Early Adopter Program

We're excited to extend this new Drive feature to customers through our Early Adopter Program (EAP) for feedback. The EAP for Drive File Stream is only open to G Suite Enterprise, Business and Education customers, and G Suite admins may apply with their domain on behalf of their organisations.

The Early Adopter Program for Drive File Stream is only open to G Suite Enterprise, Business and Education customers, and G Suite admins may apply with their domain on behalf of their organisation