According to the Towson University Department of Computer Services, network drives enable users of computers connected to a network to share information. The O: drive is specific to a company's individual department. Members of that department have equal access to all information as long as that information is stored on the O: drive and not an individual computer.

By storing information on the O: drive, departments can avoid losing important information. Network drives backup all information nightly. Should an individual computer crash, the information for a department would still safely be stored on the network O: drive.

Storing information on the O: drive also enables members of a department to work outside the company building. Telecommuters and travelers can gain access to the O: drive by accessing an Internet connection and remotely logging in to the network.