On the surface, it is easy to look at Citrix ShareFile as simply another cloud file sharing service like DropBox, but with a less catchy name. Dig a little deeper, however, and you'll see that there is so much more to ShareFile. Citrix ShareFile is a cloud-based file sharing app that allows users to send and receive files, but the real advantage with using ShareFile is its multitude of services and options for enterprise-level integration and security.
I was up and running in less than 5 minutes....
We will discuss more about the enterprise features a little further into the article, but first let's talk a bit about ShareFile, as a service. (Full Disclosure - A review copy of ShareFile was sent to me.) Setting up your ShareFile is a breeze, and you will be sharing files in no time. From your Home screen you can have a file sent to a bevy of users in as little as three clicks of the mouse. Users have a few different options when giving download permissions. You have the option receive emails that include timestamps showing when the file was downloaded and how many times it's been downloaded. In turn, you can also set up how many times the file can be downloaded, ranging from one to ten and "unlimited."
Out with the old, in with the new
With ShareFile, you can also request files. As an added bonus, the person you are requesting files from is not required to have a ShareFile account. This means that you can utilize ShareFile with colleagues and clients, alike. Simply create a link using ShareFile, and it will send an email to the desired parties requesting the needed file. The recipient can then click on the link which will take them to the ShareFile website within their preferred web browser, and from there they can upload however many files they need to. Once uploaded, you will receive an email with the requested file(s) and can download them straight to your computer. Once again, users have different options, with the main one being able to limit how long the request link is active.
From a business standpoint, ShareFile really shines. Users can add colleagues to their ShareFile account (there are different package levels), and even add clients to the account. For every user, you have the ability to pinpoint exactly what permissions they do, and do not, have. You can also set up different "storage zones" which files are stored, and in turn, accessed only by the parties you want them to be accessed by.
ShareFile is meant for business. That's why they have made it so it will integrate with any enterprise content management system. Connectors include integration with Microsoft SharePoint, Alfresco, Filenet, and Documentum. If your business is using a different CMS, then ShareFile offers a software development kit (SDK) meaning that any business or corporation can develop a connector for their CMS of choice. Businesses will also have more storage options because ShareFile offers storage connectors for Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Box, and even Dropbox.
This is how they're seprating themselves from the rest of the herd of countless file sharing apps out there.
Security is obviously an important aspect when it comes to cloud storage and collaboration, especially when it comes to big business, and ShareFile is well aware of that. Users have the ability to lock out devices, as well as do a remote wipe if the situation calls for it. In addition, you can also set ShareFile to remove an account from a mobile device if it isn't logged in from that device after a set number of days. If you are storing sensitive information, you can set expiration policies for how long that data is stored. One key example in how ShareFile differentiates itself from the competition is with encryption keys. Unlike most cloud-based file sharing software, which maintains possession of the encryption key, ShareFile actually gives businesses ownership of their keys. Not huge for a 10 person team, but a great perk for large enterprise.
Overall, ShareFile is a really solid cloud-based file sharing service. With its plethora of options, everyone from individuals, to small businesses, to full-blow enterprises can benefit from it. That being said, in most cases individuals would be fine using one of the many other options available for cloud storage, but it is still an option. Businesses, on the other hand, could see great benefits by launching ShareFile. With a high amount of security features, and complete enterprise integration, ShareFile would be right at home in many business applications.
Images courtesy of Citrix
