My Take on SkyDrive Pro and a Good Video from Ignite

I see more and more people taking advantage of SkyDrive and now SkyDrive Pro.  I think there’s a lot of potential here, especially for heavy users of SharePoint. But first a video that’s 51 minutes long but gives a great overview of features and what’s coming.  Thanks to Ignite for the video.

Let me tell you, I love the idea pioneered by the likes of Dropbox and improved upon by SkyDrive and SkyDrive Pro.  Let me give you my top features:

1. Much deeper and better integration with Microsoft Office.  Office remains the place where I spend about 50% of my day it seems so integration becomes a huge differentiator.
2. Support for many platforms including Windows, Windows 8 phone, iOS.
3. Support for more platforms from the web.  Yes, you can access SkyDrive Pro from your Android phone or tablet for example
4. Integration to SharePoint where so many people keep their corporate information

Revolutionize Your Business With Generative AI

From product design and software development to virtual agents, content creation, and reporting, GenAI is transforming business. Our AI experts help you unlock GenAI’s full potential and drive growth.

Let’s Get Started

In other words, there’a a lot to like.  Now for some areas of improvement which I know Microsoft has in the hopper but faster please………

1. SkyDrive Pro needs a Mac client.  I  know, I’m complaining because I have a Mac.  I became addicted to Dropbox because it worked everywhere without conscious thought.  When I’m on an airplane, I have the latest and greatest because the client took care of it for me.  SkyDrive Pro works that way on Windows.  Microsoft has said a client is forthcoming.  Please just make it faster.
2. Deeper SharePoint Integration.  Don’t get me wrong. It’s nice to hook SkyDrive Pro up to your personal folders in SharePoint.   However, many people will collaborate from specific teamsites. Wouldn’t it be great if we could just click a button and have it all appear and sync automatically.  I wouldn’t want this to be a default feature for fear of filling my hard drive but I would still want the option. (See Update below for a correction)
3. Android client.  This is a nice to have feature for me even though it’s the one feature I hear mentioned more by others.  Frankly, having web access is good enough for now.  But yes, if competitors have more clients then SkyDrive Pro should follow suit.

Update: Thanks to David Greve, our Office 365 Practice Director for pointing out some errors in my areas for improvement.  It turns out that yes, SkyDrive Pro can sync any document library.    The only pre-requisite is that you have the SkyDrive Pro client. At that point, simply click on the sync button and start syncing your library.