[Cloud Special Investigation Division] Sharefile -Cloud Watch provided by Citrix, online storage for companies

　Last time, we introduced a cloud storage service for servers. This time, we will introduce online storage that can be accessed from various terminals.

Currently, online storage services are provided by various companies regardless of whether they are paid or free. Examples include Apple's iCloud, Microsoft's SkyDrive, Sugarsync and Dropbox. And although it's different from simple online storage, Evernote will also be included in this group.

　Since there are so many online storage services available, it is likely that even among our readers, we have used them at least once.

　When you actually use it, you can access documents not only from your PC, but also from smartphones, tablets, etc. in order to store documents and data in the cloud, which is a very convenient service.

　However, the problem is that most online storage services are aimed at individuals.

　If individuals use various online storage services without permission, important data will be distributed and stored in online storages at the discretion of the individual, which poses a major problem for companies. there is If personal IDs and passwords are stolen from private online storage, what will happen to corporate documents and data stored there?

Given this, there is a demand for an online storage service for companies that can collectively manage accounts and user storage areas.

　An example of such a service is the ShareFile service from Citrix Systems (hereafter Citrix).

　ShareFile was originally acquired by Citrix last year. It is an online storage service provided by ShareFile. Currently, the service is not provided by the Japanese corporation, but domestic users can also use the service if they have a credit card.

With ShareFile, SSL communication is standard for network connections, and data uploaded to ShareFile is automatically encrypted and saved (except for some plans). Because of this, even online storage services maintain a high level of security.

　In addition, it is possible to set users who can access each folder created by individuals, so high security can be maintained even at the individual level. Of course, all accounts can be centrally managed by the administrator, and it is easy to control which folders the created user can access, which user's account can be turned off, and so on.

　The top plan, Enterprise Gold, also has a function to link with the company's ID management Active Directory.

In addition, it is possible to share data not only with our own users, but also with external customers and business partners. When data is uploaded to ShareFile, information such as the download destination is sent by e-mail, and it is possible to limit the download deadline and number of times. This does not lead to a situation in which the file is permanently accessible.

　Furthermore, the data center uses facilities that have passed SAS70, the internal control standard established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Of course, it achieves a higher operating rate than free online storage services for individual users, and guarantees 24-hour, 365-day operation.

　Because of its high level of security and availability, ShareFile has been adopted by large companies such as Pepsi, NIKE, MetLife, mobile phone manufacturer HTC, and telecommunications carrier T-Mobile in the United States.

　One of the features of ShareFile is its high level of convenience, as it provides usage methods that are compatible with many devices and environments.

　Basically, access via a web browser is provided, and files can be uploaded via the web browser.

　In addition, by installing additional software on the PC, it is also possible to create a shared folder in ShareFile on the desktop. Drag and drop files into this shared folder and they will automatically be uploaded to ShareFile. Additionally, new files are added to the desktops of users who share the same online folder. The software is currently available for Windows and Mac.

　In addition, a plug-in for Microsoft Outlook is provided. By automatically uploading large attachments to ShareFile and inserting a download URL into the email for the recipient of the email, simple delivery is realized.

　Depending on the provider or company, the size of the attachment file that can be handled by the mail server is determined, so when sending a large attachment file, it may be returned as unsendable. By using this plug-in, you can send even large attachments without straining your network.

　In addition, Drive Mapping software is also available that allows you to use ShareFile's online storage as PC storage.

　However, it is important to note that the availability of these tools is determined by the price plan.

　In addition to the PC version, apps for iOS (iPhone/iPad), Android, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone are provided, enabling access from smart devices such as smartphones and tablets.

In the future, there are plans to integrate ShareFile access functionality into Citrix Receiver, a Citrix client application. Access functions will also be available.

　Currently, ShareFile-compatible Citrix Receiver is in technical preview for Windows, Mac, iOS (iPhone/iPad), and Android.

Now, let's actually try ShareFile.

　ShareFile has a 30-day trial account, and you can choose from four plans provided by ShareFile: Basic, Professional, Enterprise, and Enterprise Gold.

　In addition to the number of users and storage capacity, each plan has different additional functions. ShareFile recommends the Professional plan, which costs $59.95/month for 10 users and 10GB of storage.

　However, the Drive Mapping function, which uses online storage as a PC drive, cannot be used. If you want to take advantage of this feature, you'll need to use the Enterprise plan, which is one step up. In addition, only the highest level, Enterprise Gold, can be used to link with the company's Active Directory.

　Currently, ShareFile is provided by Citrix in the United States, so the Web UI has not been translated into Japanese. Support will also come from Citrix.

　This time, I borrowed a Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet, so I installed the ShareFile app and Citrix Receiver technical preview on this tablet and tried it out.

　When I actually tried it on a ThinkPad Tablet, ShareFile was very easy to use. Files uploaded to online storage can be easily downloaded via the Internet. However, for files such as Excel, Word, and PDF, viewer software must be installed on the terminal. By the way, the ThinkPad Tablet comes pre-installed with an app called Docs To Go.

　Using this app, you can view Excel, Word, PDF, and other files on your ThinkPad Tablet. JPG files can also be displayed as thumbnails before downloading.

　If you use the technical preview Citrix Receiver, you can access ShareFile from within Citrix Receiver to download and view files. In addition, it will be possible to access the virtual desktop environment in the cloud from Citrix Receiver and operate the Windows desktop on the ThinkPad Tablet. If you come this far, you will be able to use the virtual desktop environment on the cloud from any mobile environment, such as Mac, iOS, and Android.

　It was a little disappointing that the files such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint downloaded from ShareFile could not be edited or viewed in the virtual desktop environment of Microsoft Office. If possible, it would be very convenient if this area could be used seamlessly.

　Since Citrix Receiver is a technical preview, some functions have not been implemented, so we hope that many functions will be supported in the official version.

What I learned from using online storage such as ShareFile is that the service is catching up with the diversifying personal IT environment.

　The author himself uses a Windows desktop in the office, but uses an iPad2 as a mobile environment. Most of the time I go out is for presentations and meetings, so I mostly use my iPad2 to look at materials, browse websites, and check emails. The mobile phone uses Windows Phone 7.

　Considering such a multi-device environment, having the data centralized in the cloud is a great advantage. The latest data will not be distributed to various devices, and there is no need to synchronize the devices brought back to the office.

　And realistically, ShareFile can support such an environment.

　In the future, the importance of such cloud services will likely increase.