So I set it straight, the right way, with the drive accessed directly over SMB and the drive syncing to Google drive for offsite backup and offline access for users. That wasn't working, and of course, required one computer to be working to have any access to their data.

Their previous computer guy had the NAS syncing to a computer via some Windows syncing app, and then that computer syncing to the Google drive. I came in after their system was set up poorly to triage and get things back on track.

This is not a brand I have worked with before, I have a lot of experience with Synology drives though. Under 'My Drive syncing options,' select Stream files or Mirror files.I am working with a client that has a Qnap TS-251.Configure My Drive for streaming or mirroring You can stream or mirror My Drive, depending on your preferences. Additionally, files from shared drives, other computers, and backed-up USB devices can only be streamed. While you can choose whether to mirror or stream your My Drive files, other folders on your device can only be mirrored. Note: Recent versions of macOS may have a slightly different streaming behavior.You can access files through a mounted drive on your computer. All files, including those available offline, can be accessed only when the app is running. Files that are not available offline can only be accessed when you’re connected to the internet.

Hard drive space is only used when you open files or make them available offline. With streaming, your files are stored in the cloud. You can access files through a folder on your computer. You can access your files at any time, even when you don’t have an internet connection or the Drive for desktop app running. With mirroring, your files are stored in the cloud and on your computer, which takes up hard drive space. In both cases, any changes you make to your files on one device will be reflected everywhere. Mirroring and streaming are two ways to sync your files.

How to use google drive as backup