IT Services provisions two distinct services for secure file storage and sharing. How can you tell which is the right service for you? Consult the information below and service pages for guidance.
OneDrive for Business
OneDrive for Business (OD4B) is part of Microsoft Office 365. It is a secure cloud-based service that can be accessed anytime, anywhere you have a network connection, and across multiple devices (desktops, laptops, tablets, phones). It offers easy permissions management for file sharing and is seamlessly integrated with Microsoft 365 applications and services.. Files can be shared with Queen's and non-Queen's users. With the File Restore feature, OneDrive for Business files can be restored to an entire point in time for up to 30 days.
SharePoint Online
SharePoint Online (SPO) is offered through Microsoft Office 365. SharePoint Online is a secure cloud-based collaboration platform that integrates seamlessly with a variety of Microsoft Office 365 applications and services, such as Outlook, Microsoft Teams, and Viva Engage (Yammer). With SPO modern sites and document libraries, you can easily create, store, collaborate and share content inside and outside of the University, access internal sites, documents, and other information from anywhere. With the Files Restore feature, SharePoint files can be restored to an entire point in time for up to 30 days. Unlike OneDrive for Business, it is not intended for individual usage. SharePoint is intended for team collaboration and communication.
Please consult the table below for at-a-glance information about which file storage solution is right for you. Refer to the Managing Records and Information in Microsoft 365 fact sheet for additional guidance.
| Feature | Individual | Groups | Departmental |
|---|---|---|---|
| OneDrive for Business | SharePoint Team Site | SharePoint Communication Site | |
| Base Storage Allocation | Varies* | 10 GB | 10 GB |
| Additional storage available 1 | |||
| Off-campus access | |||
| Anytime, anywhere from any device | |||
| Users can synchronize files across multiple devices | |||
| Concurrent editing of files by multiple users | |||
| Document versioning | |||
| Users can manage file and folder permissions | |||
| Sharing with External (Non-Queen's) users 2 | |||
| Backup/Recovery |
1 Requests for SPO storage quota increase can be made. Refer to the .
2 External sharing can be disabled on OneDrive for Business and SharePoint Online.
* OneDrive for Business storage varies by user. For instructions on how to check your OneDrive for Business storage allocation, please refer to the .