Users like a cloud drive letter for these reasons.

Simplify User Training

Every mobile worker knows local drive mapping to access a centralized file server. A mapped cloud drive has the same user experience and saves time and money on user training.

Reduce Costs

A cloud drive mapping supports on-demand access so laptops with smaller SSD drive can see the full scope of the shared cloud drive without locally storing 100% of the cloud drive content. It doesn't force mobile workers to upgrade their remote devices and save money.

Best of Both Worlds

Combines Windows file server security and control with the cloud's ease of use and productivity with a drive letter access.

Permission Control

Has a simpler permission migration and configuration strategy than SharePoint, Dropbox or Google Drive - inherit it directly from file server.

Endpoint Protection

It is easier to protect a cloud drive mapping than to protect a local synchronization folder. The local folder sits in the hard drive and when the device is stolen, the files and folders are in the wrong hands. On the contrary, a mapped cloud drive will be virtually unplugged when it is not active.

File Locking

File locking is possible with a cloud drive mapping while a local synchronization folder can not provide file locking.

Cloud Drive Client Agent Features

Once the Windows client agent software is deployed on users Windows desktop machine, the cloud drive will show up in the Windows operating system as if it were a pluggable external drive with the following features.

On-Demand Access

User will see the files and folders but the files will only be downloaded when it is required, thus the local hard disk can be much smaller than the full scope of the file server content.

File Locking

Automatic file locking will lock files when users are actively working on them. Manual file locking is also available to check out files and check in files after modification.

Version Control

For files that are changed, previous revisions of the file were stored away in case they will be useful at later time. Version history and the retention policies are available.

Offline Files

Files and folders that are frequently used can be marked as favorites for offline access. For files marked as offline, they will be pre-feteched into the local cache for later use.

RANSOMWARE PROTECTION

Detect suspicious activity and block ransomware from the endpoint devices. When unusual file modification frequency is detected, protection mechanism will kick in to block out the device.

Reliable Transfer

Unlike VPN connection that may disrupt file transfer when the underlying Internet connection is unstable, extra reliability features were built-in to overcome Internet glitches.

Differential Upload

For large files that has minor local modifications, binary differential blocks will be calculated and the different blocks will be uploaded instead of the while file to save bandwidth and save time.

Endpoint Encryption

For files sitting in the local file cache, encryption is available to protect these files that has been downloaded to local cache. Without a successful login, these files will stay encrypt-at-rest and be protected.

Forensic Trace

Audit traces and file change history logs are available to analyze who, at what time, changed which files on the local machine or moved files and folders from which source to which destination.

File Server + Cloud/Internet + Windows Drive? How??

Gladinet solutions has a web server component that accepts file requests from client agents over the HTTPS/SSL protocol. These requests are then translated into Active Directory and File Server network share access protected by NTFS permissions. The file is sent back via HTTPS/SSL to the client agents when all permission checks have passed. Mobile workforce use this approach to combine the power of the cloud, web browser, mobile device with the simplicity of web based online file sharing and the security of traditional file servers!

Web Server Component

Gladinet solutions has a web server front end accepting client agent requests from remote Windows, Mac, web browser, iOS and Android devices. Client agents provide drive mapping functionality.

Agents Send File Requests

Client agents send HTTPS/SSL requests to the Gladinet server (via the web component). The server can log the requests for auditing purpose and also coordinate the file access and sharing demands.

Active Directory Integration

Active Directory and NTFS permissions are used to check whether the file requests are allowed. After that, file requests are satisfied and returned via HTTPS/SSL to client agents.

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Windows Cloud Drive

Deploy client agents on Windows machines. Have a mapped cloud drive on your Windows desktop as if it were an external remote drive mounted locally. For mobile workforce that are working from home, a persistent drive letter is user friendly for file access.

Cloud Drive Client Agent Features

File Server + Cloud/Internet + Windows Drive? How??