You can use the following FileCloud tools to access and manage your files stored and shared in the cloud:
- FileCloud Sync
- FileCloud Drive
When should I use FileCloud Sync and when should 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. Depending on your network connectivity, this could take longer than several seconds. |
| 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 |
|
