What’s changing We're updating the storage model in Business Starter from per-user storage to
pooled storage . Pooled storage provides a more simple and flexible way to manage storage, as all storage is shared across the organization, removing the need to manage it on a per-user basis. With pooled storage, admins also have more
tools to monitor how storage is used across their organization. In the coming days, new customers signing up for Business Starter will have pooled storage; existing Business Starter customers will transition to pooled storage over the coming months.
As an added benefit of pooled storage, organizations with Business Starter will soon gain access to
shared drives . Users will be able to create shared drives and add members, files, and folders. Please note that certain admin-level and security controls—like the ability to
control access to the items in a shared drive —will not be included in shared drives for Business Starter.
Who’s impacted Admins and end users
Why it’s important Pooled storage
Pooled storage is a simple and flexible model for sharing storage across an organization, and it enables admins to more easily
manage storage across their organization.
Shared drives
Part of empowering our customers to do their best work means reducing the friction around file sharing and collaboration. Shared drives are a key tool for collaboration—users can store, search, and access their team's files instantly. Additionally, they offer benefits such as:
Easy discoverability: Less time spent requesting access to files and searching for relevant documents with all of your team’s files in one place.Files are forever: All content stays put — even when collaborators or team members leave, your content won’t.Easy collaboration: Every member of a shared drive can explore and collaborate in the same files. You can also add users outside your team or organization.Accessible anywhere: Regardless of location or device, you can always access the files you need most.
Getting started Admins: End users: There is no end user impact or action required at this time.Rollout pace Beginning May 15, 2023 , new Business Starter customers will have pooled storage by default. Pooled storage will start rolling out to existing Business Starter customers on May 22, 2023 and continue over the coming months. Shared drives will become available after pooled storage rolls out to all existing Business Starter customers.
Availability This update impacts Google Workspace Business Starter customers.
Resources
