Sphere 3D SnapSync: Enterprise File Synchronization and Share Software: Starts at $1,795 for private cloud bundle with SnapServer appliance with first year of SnapSync licenses for minimum of 25 users.

Sphere 3D Corp. announced SnapSync, a secure, private, and fast file sharing software product for the enterprise and the SMB.

It uses peer-to-peer data distribution technology, runs on the company's SnapServer and cloud-based SnapCLOUD storage products, and is compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, and MacOS clients.

The SnapSync integrated offering for private and hybrid cloud storage deployments enables users to synchronize, share and access files and folders of any size from anywhere on any device - regardless of the storage limit of the target client device. The newly-released and advanced service offerings are delivered at a fraction of the cost of typical public cloud-based 'box' storage products. More important, SnapSync provides security features and sophisticated centralized IT control of client data while providing immediate DR and backup. 

"At San José State University's Lucas College and Graduate School of Business, we had specific criteria for the security of our data as well as a need for a robust backup and DR infrastructure. Our faculty and staff store large amounts of research data and protected student data on their office machines," said Malu Roldan, associate dean of undergraduate programs, College of Business. "By having a secure and redundant node in the peer-to-peer network, our users have been able to selectively and automatically sync key sensitive data while being assured that it is well protected and can be quickly replicated should there be a glitch anywhere in our network. I am pleased to say that we have been able to use SnapSync to address these stringent requirements." 

"We have designed SnapSync to not only make it available for new customers, but to also extend its capabilities to the large number of Snap storage units that have been shipped to companies across the globe," said Eric Kelly, CEO, Sphere3D. "Our go-to-market strategy and tactics will continue to leverage our increasingly large installed base, which will accelerate adoption of our integrative offering. Additionally, we will continue targeting new vertical markets, like education, that demand a high level of security, flexibility and world-class service." 

According to a market study from Osterman Research, 75% of IT decision makers and influencers are concerned about the level of use of consumer file sync and share tools within their organizations, and consider their lack of security and IT management control to be a major problem. For example, popular cloud file storage products allow the user to send an email link to share their files, which enables the recipient to access data that can be forwarded again and again, and allows that data to easily be captured by non-approved parties. 

"IT decision makers are frustrated with the lack of centralized control for corporate data landing in the Cloud, which continues to increase with mobile workforces that use their personal devices for work tasks. With SnapSync, the originator of the file share authorizes access to other parties, enabling improved data control and a content IT manager," said Mark Bowker, analyst, ESG. "SnapSync's security and control features like encrypted keys, provide the document originator the ability to remove access for a particular user if the access is no longer required. This ensures the data remains secure within the enterprise." 

Most competing storage systems only backup on a periodic basis - daily, weekly, etc. - and information can take days or weeks to be retrieved by the equipment provider following a system meltdown. Organizations leveraging SnapSync private cloud benefit from fast DR and BC with almost complete recovery of that data if they are synchronized with the company's central Snap storage-based infrastructure. This is made possible by the Snap storage site-to-site continuous replication features that help ensure the latest data is always backed up, recoverable and available. 

"In today's agile business world, enterprise users are looking for always-on, cloud-integrated, mobile-ready and secured access of corporate information without always requiring a VPN connection. SnapSync, along with our Snap storage products, provides enterprises and SMBs with a value proposition that features the lowest TCO, most secure and most scalable configuration to share and store data, with the knowledge that if there's a critical system failure they can be up and running within minutes with a close to zero RPO," noted Nilesh Patel, VP, product management and marketing, Sphere 3D. He concluded: "We believe this is a game changer for companies that are looking for the most versatile and secure environment while still meeting the mobility requirements of their workforces."