Total File Server Replacement

Speed, security, and governance without the sacrifice

Traditional file servers provide fast local access and robust user permissions but are difficult to access with mobile devices and require management overhead to maintain. Distributed organizations find file sharing between offices challenging using traditional methods.

Egnyte provides the ability to store, share, access and back up files using an online file server that can be synchronized with local storage. This solution delivers speed and security as well as supporting data governance programs without the setup cost and administrative complexity of traditional file servers. Egnyte’s integrated, holistic approach is uniquely qualified to address all key areas of data governance from architecture and security to quality and management.

Egnyte supports a hybrid file server deployment that works great as a cloud-only solution, but can also sync between the Egnyte cloud file server and on-premises repositories. The Egnyte hybrid approach can scale to meet the needs of individual users and remote offices of any size while enforcing governance for data regardless of its location.

Individual users can install the Egnyte Desktop App on a PC or Mac to enable continuous file backup with online access to their content. Larger locations can deploy local file servers, as network attached storage devices to cache files locally while continuously synchronizing to cloud-based storage. This provides a fast, on-premises storage repositories for any business scenario.

Case Study: See how a national leader in construction management reduces costs and accelerates project collaboration with Egnyte.

Business Benefits of Egnyte Cloud File Server

  • Reduce costs and convert capital expenses to operating expenses
  • Eliminate overhead and support issues from VPN, FTP servers, and tape backup
  • Access files remotely using a web browser, iPad, iPhone, Android, or any other device
  • Ensure continuous file access, online or offline
  • Collaborate with business partners and between distributed offices
  • Centrally administer user access permissions for complete control and visibility
  • Monitor file usage with audit reports 
  • Ensure data security using online storage in SSAE 16 Type II compliant facilities 
  • Improve productivity via integrations with Active Directory, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Salesforce, DocuSign, and many others
  • Customizable look and feel for consistent branding

Reduce Costs

Businesses can save money and reduce administrative overhead by utilizing Egnyte to replace existing file servers. Often, entire offices can simply use Egnyte cloud services for file storage and management. If bandwidth is a constraint, on-premises file servers can cache files locally for better performance.

Typically, expenses for file server software, maintenance and human resources are approximately five times the original hardware expense. Subscription costs with Egnyte are frequently an order of magnitude less than the total cost of an in-house file server.

Securely Access Files from Any Computer or Device

Mobile apps for iPad, iPhone, Android allow users to access their files from a smartphone or tablet. Files can also be accessed via a web browser.

Users with the Egnyte Desktop Application have access shared files directly from their desktop as an attached drive. This provides them with intuitive drag-and-drop file access that fits into any workflow.

All user permissions are uniformly enforced across all access methods. Granular file access policies can be tuned to allow full data control and visibility for employees, while file access for non-employees can be limited to view only or other secure sharing options.

Local Cloud Provides Offline Access

Egnyte's hybrid file server technology allows fast access to on-premises files, even if the Internet is unavailable and is deployed as a VMWare or HyperV virtual appliance. Files can be downloaded to iPad, iPhone and Android for convenient access.

Powerful Online File Sharing

Egnyte provides powerful capabilities to enable employees and partners to collaborate. Egnyte cloud file server enables the company to set up a central scheme for sharing folders and files.

Users with folder admin rights have the ability to set up shared sub-folders and grant access permissions to teams and individuals. For example, the administrator can define a departmental folder for Finance, one for Sales and Marketing, etc.

Folder access is controlled using granular access permissions (read only, read/write, read/write/delete). Access can be granted to employees across distributed offices, business partners and clients, providing one central collaboration point from any location.

Employees can easily share files and folders using links. Links can easily be emailed, embedded in a .PDF or Word document, or made available on any third-party application or website such as Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. Unique and secure upload and download links can also be provided to external users.

Designed specifically for use with large files or when users want to share a file with a large number of users, files are downloaded from the cloud file server when a recipient clicks on the link; there’s no need to require them to log in to Egnyte. Users can also choose to have the link expire after a chosen time period (e.g., seven days) or after the link has been clicked a specific number of times.

Additional features are available to enable collaboration:

  • File Locking - Files can be locked for editing to prevent two users from making changes at the same time.
  • File Versions - File versions are automatically created as users make changes, enabling a complete audit trail of file changes.
  • Notifications - An automated system of notifications keeps users informed about changes in the files.

Workflows and Collaboration

Egnyte provides quick preview screens to view dozens of different tile formats without downloading. In addition, you can customize your own workflows for review and approval of documents with comments. For editing documents, Egnyte integrates with both Google and Microsoft tools to allow your users to use editing tools they are already comfortable with.

Central Administration & Reporting

Egnyte cloud file server access can be managed and controlled by one or more designated administrators. All access to files is based on permissions set by the administrator, therefore ensuring that employees and partners only see relevant files and folders when using the online file server.

The administrator has the authority to create and manage all user information on the online file server, including passwords. For example, the administrator can quickly remove access rights if an employee leaves the company.

Egnyte provides a rich set of reports to manage and monitor usage of the account. Reports provide information ranging from storage utilization to access audits (who has permissions to view which files) and full transaction history on the server (who uploaded, downloaded, or deleted files and folders).

Data Classification and Management

Egnyte’s AI-driven classification engine scans and detects sensitive information in all connected repositories. Once sensitive information has been detected, you can activate pre-built compliance policies or write your own. These policies can be used to safeguard sensitive information against unauthorized sharing or automate data retention policies.

Security and Privacy

Egnyte cloud file server is hosted in world-class facilities, which are Tier III, SSAE 16 compliant. Egnyte further encrypts all data during access and storage.

Egnyte's architecture has built-in redundancy, maintaining multiple copies of data to protect against hardware failures. Regulatory compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) guidelines provide assurance to healthcare and financial services organizations. Adherence to the EU Privacy Shield Framework enables Egnyte to address online storage needs for European customers.

Integrates with Active Directory, Google Docs, Microsoft Outlook, and More

Egnyte integrates with existing tools, such as Active Directory and SAML 2.0, saving time in creating and managing users. Egnyte can also integrate with the company’s mail server, providing a more customized appearance to all notifications and messages sent from the Egnyte online file server. Users can utilize integrations with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Salesforce, SAP, and many others.

Branding and Customization

Whether sharing files with clients or internally, many organizations customize the user interface to reinforce their corporate identity. Egnyte provides a rich set of capabilities for custom branding.

Uploading logos and changing colors can customize the look and feel of the interface. Further, the URL can also be customized to link it easily to corporate domains.

Ready to Get Started with Egnyte?