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Changes to G Suite Legacy Accounts: Pooled Storage Implementation
Users of the G Suite legacy free edition are set to experience significant changes as Google transitions to a pooled storage system. According to an email acquired by The Verge, from May 1st, these users will have their individual storage allotments replaced with a shared storage model for all members of their organization.
Originally branded as G Suite, the platform was reintroduced as Google Workspace in 2020. The G Suite legacy free edition was discontinued in 2012, originally providing 15GB of free storage per user, ideal for personal use among families or small groups sharing a domain. Though existing users have previously been able to utilize Workspace services at no extra cost, Google states that the shift to pooled storage aims to offer a “simpler and more flexible way to manage storage.”
Jenny Thomson, a spokesperson for Google, emphasized the benefits of pooled storage, noting, “Google Workspace customers have had the benefit of pooled storage for years, and now we’re rolling it out to users with this legacy offering,” in her communication with The Verge.
According to Google, users will not need to take any action during this transition, and opting out of pooled storage is not an option. The total storage available for a G Suite account will remain unchanged; however, for users needing additional space, Google offers the ability to purchase extra storage “at a discount.” This additional storage begins at increments of 100GB, typically priced at $15, although Google has not disclosed the specifics of the discount.
Despite moving to pooled storage, administrators can still impose storage limits on individual users within the G Suite account to prevent disproportionate usage of shared resources. These limits will, however, need to be configured manually by account administrators.
While this change may add some complexity for administrators who preferred the previous model, it also presents an opportunity for groups to optimize their storage and share underutilized resources effectively.
Source
www.theverge.com