Shared resources greatly multiple the use of devices such as printers. This is a cost savings in that each computer does not need a printer. A large HDD on a server can be used by all the nodes connected to it for storage. Other shared resource devices include modems and fax machines. Shared resources can also be virtual.
Application programs can reside on a server machine and be available to all users on the network.
Databases can reside on a database server which is made available to multiple users. Virtual storage capacity can be made available to all users. Resource sharing usually results in a cost savings to the network owner. Networks ease the cost of communicating with the outside world also. Having multiple computers at home or in an office connected in a network makes it easy to share the outside connection to the Internet or to another location.