You can use the following FileCloud tools to access and manage your files stored and shared in the cloud:
FileCloud Sync
FileCloud Drive
When would I use FileCloud Sync and when would I use FileCloud Drive?
Deciding on which tool to use depends on how you want to access and manage your files. It can also depend on some of the following factors:
- Company policy
- Internet connectivity
- Security policies
Use the information in Table 1 to understand the difference in the tools and choose which is the best one for you. You can also decide to use them both!
Table 1. FileCloud Sync vs. Drive
| USE CASES |
| FileCloud Sync | FileCloud Drive |
|---|
| Offline copy is needed for reasons such as traveling & intermittent network access. | Offline copy is not needed or not allowed per company policy |
| Team collaboration | View FileCloud server files as a drive. User doesn't want files to be downloaded for local copy. File downloaded only in edit. |
| Recommended when lots of files needs to be moved to the FileCloud Server. The process is a lot more efficient than uploads. | Doesn't consume permanent storage. Ideal for newer laptops with SSDs where hard disk capacity is limited |
| Recommended If you are working with files that are 1 GB or larger, because they are stored directly in File Explorer. | Recommended for working with small to medium sized files
When you try to open a large file in an application via FileCloud Drive, it is not instantaneously available like smaller files. The time it takes to be downloaded from the remote connection and then opened is visible to you, and depending upon your network connectivity this could take a while. |
| Locally view FileCloud files & have a selective and/or all files/folder from FileCloud as copy on Desktop | Scenario where you need access to TBs of files and don't want every file to be synced. |
| Better in editing large files such as AutoCAD | Easier on bandwidth usage - all files doesn't need to be downloaded and uploaded. Use to upload, edit, or download a small number of files or small documents. |
| Better when working on files directly from your HDD |
|
| Better when editing linked documents such as graphic files that link to multiple other files. |
|
| Ideal Dropbox replacement - great offline edits. |
|
| CHALLENGES |
| FileCloud Sync | FileCloud Drive |
| Requires storage space on the HDD to store offline files | Requires active and stable internet connection |
Are files downloaded to desktop? - Yes, synchronized with FIleCloud Server periodically
| Are files downloaded to desktop? - Files are downloaded only on edit
- Upon save, file is synchronized back to FileCloud server
|
How does locking work? - No deliberate locking can be issued in FileCloud Sync client.
- As files are proactively synced between FileCloud Server & Sync Client - Conflicts & updates are notified on Sync.
| How does locking work? - Automatically lock on edit in FileCloud Drive.
- If lock is not possible, edit will be prevented and server copy will not be changed
|
| OTHER FEATURES |
| FileCloud Sync | FileCloud Drive |
| Selective Sync - Not all files under FileCloud is copied to Desktop | Map FileCloud folders as a Drive |
| Actively Bi-directional | Set limit on file size at Drive level |
| FileBrowser app to edit and browse all documents via a explorer like interface |
|
How does FileCloud Sync & Drive compare with WebDAV Clients?
You can download WebDAV clients to interact with your files on FileCloud Server.
To see a comparison between FileCloud client applications and a WebDAV client:
- Use Table 2 to see a feature comparison
- Use table 3 to see a use case comparison
Table 2. FileCloud Client Apps vs. WebDAV Features
| Feature | FileCloud Drive | FileCloud Sync | WebDAV* |
|---|
| Connection | Virtual File System | Hard drive | Virtual File System |
| Offline Copy of Files | No | Yes | No |
| Remote Wipe | Yes | Yes | No |
| Cost | Free | Free | Some of the WebDAV like WebDrive are paid ones whereas some are free. |
| Ideal for | Editing Small Files | Editing all Files | Editing Small Files |
| Operating Systems | Windows and MAC | For Windows , MAC and LINUX | For Windows , MAC and LINUX |
Table 3. FileCloud Client Apps vs. WebDAV Use Cases
| Operation | Drive | Sync | WebDAV |
|---|
| Logging in with HTTP and HTTPS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Browse Folders | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Create New Directory | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Upload Files | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Download Files | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Edit/Update | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Copy , Move, Delete | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Block device ( admin ) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Remote Wipe a device | Yes | Yes | No |
| Add/Remove Admin Messages | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Logs | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Backing up system data | No | Yes | No |
| Network Shares | Yes | Yes | Yes |