File-sharing services are getting pretty sophisticated these days, using the cloud to do a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to not only transferring files, but managing them as well. ShareFile, a fast-growing company founded five years ago which is based in Raleigh, North Carolina, is releasing a new product called Sync today targeted at enterprises that want an easier way to sync files between desktops and servers. ShareFile competes with services such as Dropbox and Box.net, but is more focussed on IT departments.
Like Dropbox, ShareFile allows you to choose a folder on your computer (PC or Mac) to sync to the cloud. Where ShareFile differs from something like Dropbox is that it makes it easier to sync the same files with multiple users and other advanced workflows. For instance, you can set up one-way syncs just for updating files from a master source, as well as two-way syncs to capture updates from all machines. Also, ShareFile maps to your computer’s existing file structure, so you don’t have to place a file in a special folder to make sure it syncs. Once they are synced, the files are accessible via the Web and mobile as well.
ShareFile charges a subscription for its services, and Sync will either cost $10 extra per month, or be included, depending on the subscription level. WIthin the next two months, ShareFile plans on introducing an even more robust Enterprise Sync product which will run on Linux and Windows servers, and allow for file sync scheduling and prioritization.
Erick has been discovering and working with startups his entire professional career as a technology journalist, startup event producer, and founder. Erick is President & Founding Partner at Traction Technology Partners. He is also a co-founder of TouchCast, the leading interactive video platform, and a partner at bMuse, a startup studio in New York City. He is the former Executive Producer of the DEMO conferences and former Editor-in-Chief of TechCrunch (where he helped conceive, lead and select startups for the Disrupt conferences, among other duties). Prior to TechCrunch, which he joined as Co-Editor in 2007, Erick was Editor-at-Large for Business 2.0 magazine, and a senior writer at Fortune magazine covering technology.
At TechCrunch, he oversaw the editorial content of the site, helped to program the Disrupt conferences and CrunchUps, produced TCTV shows, and wrote daily for the blog. He joined TechCrunch as Co-Editor in 2007, and helped take it from a popular blog to a thriving media property. After founder Michael Arrington left in 2011, Schonfeld became Editor in Chief.
Prior to TechCrunch, he was Editor-at-Large for Business 2.0 magazine, where he wrote feature stories and ran their main blog, The Next Net. He also launched the online video series “The Disruptors” with CNN/Money and hosted regular panels and conferences of industry luminaries. Schonfeld started his career at Fortune magazine in 1993, where he was recognized with numerous journalism awards.