[Survey on File Sharing in Multi-Location Companies] Half of Multi-Location Companies Experience 'Duplicated Work,' 47.1% 'Proceed with Work Using Incorrect Information' — An Era Questioning Cloud Storage Selection Criteria
Fleekdrive Co., Ltd. conducted a survey targeting 110 professionals handling file sharing in multi-location companies. While about 90% perceive file sharing as 'smooth,' half experience 'duplicated work on files' and 47.1% 'proceed with work based on incorrect information.' With 40.0% of companies taking over 30 minutes for the latest information to reach all locations, the structural issue of 'invisible productivity loss,' where disparities in information freshness affect business decisions, was highlighted.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 19, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 19, 2026 at 21:17 (9h 45m after Collected)
Fleekdrive Co., Ltd. is pleased to announce the results of the 'Survey on the Actual Status of File Sharing in Multi-Location Companies.' The survey targeted 110 personnel in IT, DX promotion, general affairs, and administration departments who are involved in inter-location file sharing operations at companies with 200 or more employees and locations other than the headquarters.
Amidst diversifying work styles and decentralized locations, the importance of inter-location file sharing in multi-location companies continues to grow. The introduction of tools such as cloud storage is spreading, and many personnel tend to perceive that 'inter-location file sharing is running smoothly.' On the other hand, there is a structural issue where challenges unique to multi-location operations—such as disparities in information freshness between the headquarters and branch locations, varying operational rules per location, and difficulty in achieving on-site adoption—accumulate without surfacing.
On the front lines, issues frequently occur, such as taking time for the latest information to reach all locations, duplicating work on the same file across multiple locations, and making decisions based on outdated information. These are rarely recognized as overt obstacles and have accumulated as 'invisible productivity loss' woven into daily operations.
In our previously published 'Survey on File Management and Operational Efficiency' (April 2026), we showed that the criteria for selecting file management tools are shifting from 'price and capacity' to 'automation and adoption.' In multi-location companies, in addition to this trend, a specific issue has emerged: 'how to align information across locations and establish operational adoption.'
Therefore, as a sequel to the previous survey, Fleekdrive Co., Ltd. conducted this actual status survey targeting personnel involved in file sharing at multi-location companies, aiming to clarify the requirements that these companies should prioritize when selecting cloud storage.
Specific business impacts: Half experienced 'duplicated work on the same file,' and 47.1% experienced 'proceeding with work based on incorrect information' (based on n=102 who answered they had issues in Q3).
Behind the perception that 'things are going well,' there is a structure of 'invisible productivity loss' where misinformation and duplicated work are woven into daily tasks.
40.0% take '30 minutes or more' for the latest information to reach all locations; the top issue is 'proceeded with work using outdated information' at 44.5%.
The most important factor in tool selection is 'high-speed transfer of large data' at 52.7%; the biggest barrier to unifying file management is 'education and training costs for all locations' at 52.7%.
Movements toward tool unification and implementation reach 70.0% (completed 23.6% + in progress 46.4%). Much of the market views the 'invisible productivity loss' in existing environments as an issue and is stepping toward environmental improvement.
Survey Name: Survey on the Actual Status of File Sharing in Multi-Location Companies
Survey Method: Internet survey planned by IDEATECH's research marketing 'ResearP®︎'
Survey Period: April 13, 2026 – April 14, 2026
Valid Responses: 110 personnel in IT, DX promotion, general affairs, and administration departments involved in inter-location file sharing at companies with 200+ employees and multiple locations.
*Because the composition ratio is rounded to the second decimal place, the total may not always exactly equal 100.
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86.4% of Multi-Location Companies Answer Inter-Location File Sharing is 'Smooth.'
The Reality of Multi-Location Operations, Unseen by 'Subjective Evaluation' Alone, is Revealed
'Q1. At your workplace, how smoothly is file sharing between multiple locations conducted?' (n=110)
The responses were 'Conducting very smoothly' at 38.2% and 'Conducting somewhat smoothly' at 48.2%. While about 90% of the personnel answered that inter-location file sharing is 'smooth,' it became clear that about 10% (12.7%) feel it is 'not very smooth.'
- Conducting very smoothly: 38.2%
- Conducting somewhat smoothly: 48.2%
- Not conducting very smoothly: 12.7%
40.0% Take '30 Minutes or More' for Latest Information to Reach All Locations, with About 10% Answering 'Half a Day or More'
'Q2. In inter-location file sharing, how long does it take for the latest information to reach all locations?' (n=110)
The responses were 'A few minutes to about 30 minutes' at 32.7%, 'About 30 minutes to 1 hour' at 29.1%, 'About half a day' at 9.1%, and '1 day or more' at 1.8%. A total of 40.0% of the personnel require '30 minutes or more' to share the latest information across all locations, of which 10.9% require 'half a day or more.' This highlights the reality that time lags in information between locations have become normalized.
- Immediate to a few minutes: 19.1%
- A few minutes to about 30 minutes: 32.7%
- About 30 minutes to 1 hour: 29.1%
- About half a day: 9.1%
- 1 day or more: 1.8%
- Cannot grasp: 5.5%
Top Issue in Inter-Location File Sharing is 'Proceeded With Work Using Outdated Information' at 44.5%; The 'Difference in Information Freshness' Between Locations Dictates the Quality of Business Decisions
'Q3. Please tell us the situations where you feel there are issues with inter-location file sharing. (Multiple answers allowed)' (n=110)
The responses were 'Have proceeded with work using outdated information' at 44.5%, 'There is a difference in information freshness between the headquarters and branch locations' at 42.7%, and 'Sending and receiving large data takes time' at 38.2%. The top two items are both issues related to information freshness, indicating that time lags between locations directly affect the quality of business decisions.
- Have proceeded with work using outdated information: 44.5%
- Difference in information freshness between headquarters and locations: 42.7%
- Sending and receiving large data takes time: 38.2%
- File saving rules differ by location: 33.6%
- Tools used differ by location: 29.1%
- Cannot grasp file operation status at each location: 16.4%
- Access right management between locations is complicated: 9.1%
Regarding the Impact of File Sharing Issues, 1 in 2 Answers 'Duplicated Work on the Same File,' Followed by 'Work Based on Incorrect Information' at 47.1%. The Gap Between Perception and Reality is Clear
'Q4. Please tell us the actual business impacts caused by issues with inter-location file sharing. (Multiple answers allowed)' (n=102 *Those who answered other than 'No particular issue' or 'Don't know/Cannot answer' in Q3)
The responses were 'Duplicated work on the same file occurred' at 50.0%, 'Proceeded with work based on incorrect information' at 47.1%, and 'Delays in decision-making and approvals occurred' at 36.3%. While about 90% answered 'smooth' in Q1, in reality, about half have experienced duplicated work or work based on incorrect information, revealing a significant gap between subjective evaluation and business reality.
- Duplicated work on the same file occurred: 50.0%
- Proceeded with work based on incorrect inform
FAQ
What is the biggest issue with file sharing in multi-location companies?
Proceeding with work using outdated information due to differences in information freshness.
What gap between subjective evaluation and reality did the survey reveal?
While ~90% feel sharing is smooth, half experience duplicated work and other issues.
What are the new criteria for selecting cloud storage?
The focus is shifting from price/capacity to automation, adoption, and information uniformity.