Why Your Business Should Choose Microsoft 365 SharePoint and OneDrive Over Local File Servers
In a world where agility, collaboration, and security are key to business success, traditional local file servers are quickly becoming obsolete. While they’ve served their purpose for decades, they no longer meet the demands of a modern, connected workforce. Microsoft 365’s SharePoint and OneDrive offer a far superior solution, enabling businesses to work smarter, faster, and more securely. Here’s why your business should make the switch.
Accessibility and Collaboration
Local file servers limit access to the office network, restricting employees to working on-site or connecting through cumbersome VPNs. In contrast, SharePoint and OneDrive are cloud-based, offering secure, real-time access to your files from anywhere, on any device. Whether your team is in the office, at home, or on the move, they can collaborate seamlessly.
With tools like co-authoring, multiple people can edit a document simultaneously without overwriting changes. Version history ensures nothing is lost, allowing you to revert to previous versions effortlessly. This level of flexibility and teamwork is simply unattainable with a traditional file server.
Key takeaway: SharePoint and OneDrive allow employees to access, edit, and share files anytime and anywhere, enhancing collaboration and productivity.
Scalability Without Hassle
Expanding storage on a local file server often involves costly hardware upgrades, maintenance, and downtime. SharePoint and OneDrive scale effortlessly with your business needs. Microsoft 365 provides generous cloud storage, with OneDrive offering 1TB per user and SharePoint providing pooled storage for teams.
This flexibility ensures you only pay for what you need, eliminating the need for costly infrastructure investments. Plus, you can easily add users and storage capacity as your business grows.
Key takeaway: Cloud-based storage scales with your business, removing the cost and complexity of upgrading physical servers.
Built-In Security and Compliance
Cybersecurity is a critical concern for every business. Local file servers are vulnerable to hardware failure, ransomware attacks, and data loss unless rigorously managed. SharePoint and OneDrive, on the other hand, offer enterprise-grade security built into Microsoft 365.
Features like data encryption, advanced threat protection, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) ensure your files are secure. Microsoft also handles updates and patches, meaning you’re always protected with the latest security features. Compliance is simplified too, with tools to meet GDPR, ISO, and other regulatory requirements.
Additionally, data backups and file recovery are seamless. Deleted or corrupted files can be restored easily, saving you from downtime or costly data recovery efforts.
Key takeaway: SharePoint and OneDrive provide advanced, built-in security and compliance tools that far surpass what most businesses can achieve with a local file server.
Cost Efficiency and Reduced Maintenance
Maintaining local servers comes with high costs—hardware, electricity, backups, and IT support. Add to that the risk of failures or data loss, and the true cost becomes clear. With SharePoint and OneDrive, there’s no need for on-premises infrastructure. Microsoft handles all hardware, updates, and maintenance, reducing your IT overhead and freeing up your team to focus on strategic tasks.
By adopting Microsoft 365, you shift to a predictable subscription model, avoiding expensive upfront capital investments.
Key takeaway: Cloud storage reduces IT costs and maintenance, providing a predictable and cost-effective solution.
Seamless Integration with Microsoft 365
SharePoint and OneDrive integrate seamlessly with other Microsoft 365 apps like Teams, Outlook, and Power Automate. SharePoint becomes the backbone for document libraries and shared files within Teams, streamlining communication and workflows.
Meanwhile, OneDrive is perfect for individual file storage and sharing, syncing effortlessly with Windows and macOS for a familiar user experience. This tight integration ensures your team can work efficiently, with all tools connected in one ecosystem.
Key takeaway: SharePoint and OneDrive integrate seamlessly with Microsoft 365, providing an all-in-one platform for productivity and collaboration.
Future-Proof Your Business
The modern workplace demands flexibility, security, and efficiency. Relying on a local file server limits your ability to adapt to new challenges, especially as remote and hybrid work become the norm. SharePoint and OneDrive future-proof your business, ensuring you have the tools to meet evolving demands while staying secure and compliant.
By moving to Microsoft 365, you’re not just upgrading your storage—you’re transforming how your team works.
Let Us Help You Make the Switch
Transitioning to SharePoint and OneDrive doesn’t have to be complicated. Our team of experts can help you migrate seamlessly, ensuring minimal disruption while maximising the benefits of Microsoft 365. Say goodbye to outdated file servers and unlock the full potential of cloud-based collaboration and storage.
Make the move today and empower your team with the tools they need to succeed.