Cloud-based File Management for iPhone 3G and iPod Touch
October 13, 2008
Egnyte has launched new on-demand file server solution featuring a mobile drive, or m Drive, through an integration with Apple’s iPhone, a new user interface and faster access to files. The iPhone integration does not require purchase or download of any additional application. Egnyte 2.0 m Drive provides online file storage, file sharing software and continuous backup.
The cloud based Egnyte File Server ensures that no one can gain unauthorized access to data. Because the files reside on the virtual drive, if a computer is lost or stolen the data remains secure.
“The rise of the distributed, mobile workforce creates a greater need for business-class server solutions that are hosted on the cloud. With the shift toward a virtual office, small businesses and professionals need services that work from any location,” said Vineet K. Jain, CEO of Egnyte. “In particular, for a growing number of professionals, the iPhone functions as their primary Internet access point. With Egnyte 2.0, iPhone users have secure and immediate access to all their files no matter where they are.”
You can share folders by granting colleagues or clients access to designated folders within your Egnyte file server. The Egnyte system automatically sends an invitation email with access information. This enables quick collaboration on-the-go.
Rather than emailing large files, you can share the file using the iPhone by simply emailing a link to the file. There is an option of setting an expiration time on the link for additional security. The recipient clicks on the link to download the file without having to log into Egnyte. If multiple versions of a file exist on the server, Egnyte enables the review of older versions of the files as well as any comments associated with a file. Email files from Egnyte can be shared as email attachments.
“Egnyte’s iPhone interface is fantastic for our business,” said Max Gardner, manager, StrateGen Consulting. “Our team now has access to all of our critical files wherever we are. Before we would have to power up a laptop, if it was available, to get immediate answers or share files with a client. Now, we can quickly pull up and share files in just a few taps wherever we are. The immediacy and convenience are great.”
New configuration capabilities allow users to set their viewing options such as field widths, field positions and sorting criteria easily. Enhanced Backup Capabilities ensure critical data is safe and secure through improved controls such as bandwidth throttling, file type exclusions and scheduling. Additionally, improved caching in the application tier gives users even faster access to the data they need and reduces latency for overseas connections.
You should check out smestorage.com - if you want to use this in you this in your organisation ping them an email as they have some really cool technology that enables your email server to become a cloud and they can provide this as an appliance. They don’t advertise this, but my organisation is currently doing a beta trial of this. You’ll get plug-ins for MS Office and Open Office as well as iPhone access, windows explorer, sync etc- and looking at what Egnyte charge, it is much cheaper.