How Attach2Cloud Mitigates Shadow IT and Maximizes M365 Potential

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital workspaces, shadow IT continues to be a significant challenge. Employees often turn to unauthorized third-party applications like WeTransfer, Dropbox, or Google Drive to share large files and collaborate, bypassing corporate IT policies. This not only poses security risks but also leads to underutilization of the licensed tools and platforms provided by their organizations. Attach2Cloud offers a robust solution to this problem, ensuring secure, efficient, and compliant usage of Microsoft 365 (M365) environments.

Why Shadow IT Exists

Shadow IT arises primarily because:

1. Ease of Use: Third-party tools often provide a more user-friendly and immediate solution compared to corporate tools.
2. File Size Limitations: Standard email platforms have limitations on the size of files that can be attached and sent, pushing users towards external solutions.
3. Collaboration Needs: Teams need to collaborate seamlessly, and external tools sometimes offer features that seem to bridge gaps left by corporate tools.

How Attach2Cloud Addresses These Challenges

1. Seamless Integration with Outlook:

• User-Friendly Interface: Attach2Cloud integrates directly into Microsoft Outlook, providing a familiar and intuitive interface. Users can attach files as they normally would, with the added benefit of automatic cloud uploads.
• No Learning Curve: Employees can continue using the email client they are accustomed to, reducing the need for training and ensuring rapid adoption.

2. Handling Large Files Effortlessly:

• Automatic Cloud Uploads: With Attach2Cloud, files are automatically uploaded to OneDrive, SharePoint, or Teams, allowing users to send links instead of bulky attachments. This bypasses the size limitations inherent in traditional email.
• Large File Support: Attach2Cloud supports file uploads up to the limits of the cloud storage platforms, which can be as large as 250 GB per file for OneDrive.

3. Enhanced Collaboration and Productivity:

• Integrated Cloud Explorer: The built-in cloud explorer within Outlook enables users to easily navigate, select, and share files from their OneDrive, SharePoint, or Teams storage.
• Modern Attachment Previewer: Users can view, edit, and modify files directly within Outlook without the need to open additional applications. This streamlines workflow and enhances productivity.

4. Security and Compliance:

• Data Encryption: Attach2Cloud allows for easy encryption of documents before they are uploaded, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected.

Maximizing M365 Potential

By using Attach2Cloud, organizations can fully leverage their investment in M365:

• Cost Efficiency: Reducing reliance on external file-sharing services cuts down on unnecessary expenses and consolidates all work within the existing M365 subscription.
• Enhanced Utilization: Features such as cloud storage integration, large file handling, and collaboration tools are fully utilized, maximizing the return on investment in M365 licenses.
• Improved Security: Keeping data within the M365 ecosystem reduces the risk of data breaches and ensures that corporate information is governed by enterprise-level security protocols.

Conclusion

Attach2Cloud is not just a tool; it’s a comprehensive solution that addresses the root causes of shadow IT. By providing a seamless, secure, and efficient way to handle file sharing and collaboration directly within Microsoft Outlook, it encourages users to stay within the corporate-approved M365 environment. This not only mitigates the risks associated with shadow IT but also ensures that organizations can fully utilize the powerful features of their M365 licenses, leading to enhanced productivity, security, and cost efficiency.