Packeteer , a company that makes appliances that quickly
and safely shuttles data over a network, released a new version of its
software that improves file backup and data synchronization.
iShared Mobiliti 6.0 secures remote access for mobile and remote desktop
users, eliminating the need for mobile users to be wired to corporate file
servers so that they can work on current files.
The software frees up the corporate mobile warrior to update his or her
work, save it, and send it across a WLAN.
With remote and mobile employees becoming the norm rather than the
exception, this functionality provides the freedom corporate workers are
increasingly expecting as the high-tech gear makers learns how to better
deliver data over a WAN.
So, how does iShared Mobiliti work?
The software uses cached data from network file servers that displays
folders and drive mappings as if the user were connected to the enterprise
network.
The product then applies wide area network (WAN)
mobile users and the enterprise network, reducing time to synchronization
and backup.
The latest version could be juicier for admins.
iShared Mobiliti 6.0 includes new management console that lets
administrators create individual user or group profiles, change individual
settings and produce a single synchronization report about all users.
The product also sports a backup capability for that allows local and
network copies of Microsoft Outlook PST files to be easily synched up
without crimping user performance or WAN traffic loads.
iShared Mobiliti 6.0 can also automatically save file changes from each
user.
This is an important trait in companies where Microsoft Office files are
accessed by mobile users in different locations, which can lead to the same
file being modified by multiple users at the same time.
iShared Mobiliti, available now for $157 per user, is actually Packeteer’s
product, twice removed.
Packeteer, which is competing with Cisco Systems ,
Juniper Networks and smaller vendors like Riverbed
Technologies in the wide-area file services and WAN optimization space,
acquired the software in its May purchase
of Tacit Networks.
Tacit picked up the software when it bought
Mobiliti in January.
Now that the WAFS and WAN Optimization space seems to have undergone its
bout of consolidation, the vendors are intent on improving their flagship
products.
In some cases, there confidence is taking them to places they haven’t been.
Riverbed, for one, filed for
an initial public offering in April.