Egnyte offers a unique solution for small or large businesses that combines cloud and local storage. Incredibly easy to use and set up; Egnyte stands tall as a heavy contender in the cloud storage market.
Egnyte Cloud Control
Egnyte Solutions
Egnyte offers an approach that’s competitively cost effective for every business need. This includes smaller organizations as well, and gives Egnyte a large lead amongst its direct competitors. Egnyte also leverages mobile devices and works very fast with any businesses existing infrastructure.
When it comes to cloud synchronization applications, most are based on the same premise; this includes a local storage uploaded to the cloud, which automatically syncs across multiple computers and devices. However, Egnyte takes on a different approach with its innovative service called the HybridCloud.
When it comes down to it, Egnyte offers two distinct solutions for your business needs: a hybrid of local storage and cloud storage.
The HybridCloud Difference
HybridCloud has one big difference that puts it in the lead above the rest. It provides a variety of methods of working with online storage. This includes traditional synchronization, but also a smart file server service. Just by checking out the 15 day free trial for this review, it is clear right from the start that Egnyte’s services were built from the ground up to accommodate businesses of any type, including large Enterprises.
Setup and Features
Getting set up and using the basic Egnyte online storage service is incredibly easy. In just under five minutes you can create an account that accesses the on-demand fileserver. Egnyte also creates a customized URL for access, which happens to be a very cool feature if you want to use your company name (including a logo) and give access to any partners.
Customize Egnyte Interface
Egnyte’s interface is easy to work with, and as you can see from the image, even non-technical users should have no issues. I created a folder, again very basic, and added three users; then uploaded a few files to a new folder in just less than 4 minutes.
Sending files is a breeze and users only need to use the Upload File action button within the interface. You also have the option of a multi-file upload or plug-in, which requires Java to upload folders or larger files. If you like things old-school, you can use FTP, if preferred.
Egnyte includes a data migration service that accommodates uploads comprised of up to 15GB of data. Through the entire upload process I didn’t run into any sort of trouble and the experience was smooth.
Easy-to-use Interface
The security offered through Egnyte is also impressive. Just checking out the basic security measures, I tried to upload an .EXE file and Egnyte’s cloud storage wouldn’t allow it. You have the options to assign permissions to users or, if preferred, you can lock files altogether. The interface offers help to users if they need it, so as I stated earlier, even a user who isn’t very technical can easily maneuver through the interface.
Because of Egnyte’s distinct classes of users, it’s actually really easy for a company to determine who will have access to certain documents, and who gets to change or add permissions onto sensitive files. These classes of users are as follows:
Power Users:
This classification allows company employees full access to Egnyte’s features. This includes accessing files via web browser, FTP client, and with their mobile devices.
Standard Users:
Standard users have no desktop access, no personal local cloud and no access to office or enterprise local cloud. But, they still have access to their files via a mobile device or the internet.
Local Cloud on NAS
Egnyte offers an option to put the Local Cloud on your NAS. This particular feature really sets them apart from the rest. By offering off-line access to data and a great way to work with very large files, Egnyte’s NAS option gives the business user an extended feature that can be very useful. Even though not all businesses will need to utilize this option the fact that it’s there makes the product stand out.
Getting the Local Cloud installed and running is easy to. The interface offers a downloadable component that basically installs like any other executable file. Once downloaded, the local cloud will then synchronize with data and other users on your local NAS. Users can get access to files even when they’re off-line, which can be a very useful feature if you’re someone who’s always on the go.
Security
HybridCloud uses 256-AES encryption. The same level of protection extends to its ‘Group’ bundle users, as it does with Enterprise users.
Egnyte Apps
Features within Egnyte’s mobile apps, and this includes smart phones, tablets and even notebooks; allows users to access files from anywhere. Obviously storage apps are a perfect addition for large businesses and enterprises.
Main features
As long as you have a 3G or Wi-Fi connection, you can easily access files from your iPhone or iPad. I tested it out on my iPad 3 and quickly found out that there were a few other things I could do as well. This included sharing any of the files via email using links that were easily embedded. I also attached files to the email securely, and I was able to store files on my iPad that gave me full access even if I didn’t have Internet access.
Egnyte for iOS iPad 3
Additional mobile apps:
- Egnyte for Android
- For HP WebOS
- Enterprise for Kindle Fire
- Enterprise for Barnes&Noble Nook
- Enterprise for Windows Phone
Plans and Pricing
Egnyte offers a range of packages aimed at both small businesses and large organizations:
Small Group Solutions
- For 5 employees
- Storage capacity = 150 GB
- Cost: $24.99 per Month
Office Solution
- For 10 employees
- Storage capacity = 1TB
- Cost: $69.99 per Month
Small Business Solution
- For 15 employees
- Storage capacity = 2TB
- Cost: $129.99 per Month
Enterprise Solution
- For 25+ employees
- Storage capacity = 3TB
- Cost: $324.75
Review Wrap-Up
At the end of the day, Egnyte’s HybridCloud and Local Storage provides a bridge allowing professionals and business owners’ total control over shared content. By allowing local employees and partners to access, share, store and back-up sensitive data, Egnyte provides a user interface that’s easy-to-use for those who are not tech-savvy. Egnyte’s broad pricing plans, makes it a sure win within any office or large corporation. If your business values secure file accessibility, and a low-cost solution, Engnyte may be the solution you’re looking for.
Sonia Ingriselli
Sonia is the Executive Editor here at Geek Insider. Sonia has a passion for gadgets, technology and game consoles; she is proud to call herself a Zombie loving Tech-monster and spends most of her day's just writing. Follow me on Twitter @SoniaIngriselli
