What is our primary use case?
We use Dropbox for our files when we finish our projects. For example, once we've done a forming project, we then upload the material. We do a first assembly cut on the material, and then we upload the content to Dropbox.
The final videos and productions that we use, all go into a Vimeo account that we have.
What is most valuable?
We don't really use the collaboration features because we have only a small organization. Dropbox is valuable having the hard drive space available, and the access to be able to upload and access the content.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Dropbox for approximately three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Dropbox is a stable solution.
The only challenge we have is the bandwidth that we have because the stability comes down to the broadband that we're using. We don't have fiber-deployed across the UK. The copper bandwidth speed limitations are what we have.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I have found the solution to be scalable.
We have the producer, director, editor, and our customer base using the solution. We share the files and they only take a look at the files. They're not doing any editing or modifications.
How are customer service and support?
We had some issues closing accounts with the administration support.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We use Vimeo and Dropbox both in parallel, and we have standalone disc arrays that we use for storage and backup.
How was the initial setup?
The implementation is straightforward and we access Dropbox by using a login, whoever needs to access it can use the login.
We were using Dropbox previously. It was simple to set up the directories and the file-sharing capabilities we needed to use and the different levels of access to some of our stakeholders, customers, and editors.
What about the implementation team?
We did the implementation ourselves.
What was our ROI?
The solution is meeting our business requirements, but I haven't done a total cost of ownership. What I'd have to do to answer if I have had an ROI properly is to deploy our own storage system and then set up the backup for it locally, in a private cloud environment locally in a data center, and find out what it would cost us to operate. We would probably need an admin in place as well to manage all of it and determine the cost of power, hardware, software, versus what we are paying on a subscription basis for that whole service Dropbox account. I have not done this to determine the cost return.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
One area that has been a big issue for me is when I tried to close my accounts, it is difficult. We had small personal accounts, and we then wanted to consolidate everything to the business account, but then to cancel and close those smaller accounts, it's a big issue. I still haven't done it and it's quite a long process.
They can't cancel the license and transfer the data over to the new business account easily. There seem to be some complexities involved.
We pay annually to use the solution and the price is approximately £600.
What other advice do I have?
We are using the five terabyte option of the solution.
My advice to others would be to keep the deployment simple, and the solution is simple to scale. Put a solution in place that meets your requirements. If it's a new business, put in place what the business is requiring, and if you do need to scale out and increase costs, then it's straightforward to do, it's quite an easy platform to use. They have a few good options available and don't oversubscribe to capacity that you're not going to use.
I rate Dropbox an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.