Hey everyone! I'm looking for some help with two scenarios at my job that I need to work through.
1) **Photo Storage**: We have a lot of staff and family members taking pictures during trips and events, and we're looking for a solution to store these photos both in the cloud and locally. We want it to be easy for the principals to access them when they want. The local storage is important in case anything gets accidentally deleted from the cloud. Privacy is a big concern, so access needs to be very restricted. What systems would you recommend? Please include specifics and costs with the assumption of around 10 users and about 2GB of storage per user.
2) **Employee Communications**: Our company has about 50 employees divided between two main functions, each with a laptop and phone provided by the company. What's the best way to roll out the equipment to keep costs down? I'd appreciate it if you could outline the pros and cons of your suggestions.
Thanks in advance for your ideas!
2 Answers
For the photo storage, I’d suggest using a combination of Google Drive and a Synology NAS for local storage. Google Drive can give you reliable cloud backup, and a NAS will allow you to keep a local copy without relying on an internet connection. Cost-wise, Google Drive will run about $10/month per user for storage, and a good NAS setup can be around $300 to $600 one-time. This way, you have both cloud convenience and a local backup which addresses your privacy concerns.
Regarding employee communication, you could consider rolling out devices in phases to optimize costs—start by replacing older devices first, then gradually upgrade the rest as budgets allow. This minimizes waste and maximizes the lifespan of your existing equipment. Both strategies ensure you stay budget-conscious while providing great tools for your employees!
Honestly, for the photo storage, I’d just go with Apple iCloud if you’re already using Apple devices. It's simple, and the access settings are straightforward to manage for privacy. Just grab a Mac Mini to keep local copies. The second question seems off though; focus on what tools employees actually need rather than optimizing cost for the sake of it. Sometimes spending a little more to get reliable equipment is worth it in the long run.
I agree! Sometimes the cheapest option isn't the best. Investing upfront can save you costs on repairs and productivity losses later.
Sounds like a good plan! Also, having a phased rollout lets you gather feedback from employees on what works and what doesn’t before making the next round of purchases.