Compare Dropbox and Windows File Server's strengths and weaknesses and come up with a solution to combine both strengths together into one single solution for the best of both worlds.
Files put into Dropbox folder will immediately sync to all other devices so the moment you need it, the file is there.
Dropbox is simple to use and the moment you drop a file into the Dropbox folder, it is done.
From mobile device, web browser to laptop and desktop, Dropbox is designed to be mobile first and supports many different devices.
From file backup to mobile access to online file sharing, Dropbox is a all-in-one solution.
Dropbox is great and people are still looking for the answer of 'Dropbox vs File Server'. Why?
When coming from a business world, mobile workers, especially CIOs are looking at the question from a different angle. Almost all businesses standardized on the Windows Server IT infrastructure with Active Directory and Windows file server network share. By training and by job responsibility, CIOs has security, data ownership, permission control, data privacy and data leakage concerns in mind.
Shall you give up your Windows file server and adopt Dropbox at work? Or shall we add modern Dropbox-style cloud services to Windows file servers and take the file servers back to the future!
With Active Directory, employees can log in to corporate machines with one single set of credential.
The NTFS file system brings the permission structure to folders and files with well understood security control.
Drive mapping is probably the most frequently used feature from end users when then login to their Windows workstation.
File locking is another frequently used feature from NTFS and the CIFS/SMB protocol to lock files while they are being edited.
With Windows storage space direct, Windows file servers can be pooled together to increase the storage capacity and grow on demand.
With the virtual machine technology, Windows file servers can be available from AWS, Windows Azure and various other data center locations.
File server has more data than a laptop with a small SSD can store. Business has more data in file servers than a personal 'Documents' folder.
File server has every file stored in one place under business control, while Dropbox synchronizing every file to every device exposes every file.
File server has files sitting in hard disks owned by businesses, while files in Dropbox folder are stored in Dropbox sites.
When file server network shares and Dropbox are both used in business, some files are at the file server but some revisions are in Dropbox.
File servers have NTFS permissions to protect access to folders and files, while Dropbox sync them all.
When it comes time for a compliance audit, file servers are easy to pass audit, while files in Dropbox need further actions.
Install the solution on a Windows Server in 20 minutes.
Each Triofox server supports thousands or can be clustered to create massive scale.
In addition to Windows file server, Amazon S3, Windows Azure Blob, Azure Files are all good storage services to create a cloud file server.
Triofox server inherits NTFS file system and the files and folders stored there and also NTFS permissions.
For end users, they have cloud-style or dropbox-style access to files and folders, with drive mapping, file locking, active directory integration, mobile app and so on.
"Everybody globally has access to the same files which are all up-to-date and accurate, from a system that’s also secure and easy to implement. "
- CHRISTOPHER JESMAN
Director, Panorama Antennas
Beyond combining Dropbox-style mobility features and Windows file server security, Triofox has numerous features to meet the needs of your enterprise.
Cloud backup and data protection with version control. On-demand sync minimizes storage and bandwidth consumption.
Full support for file locking from the cloud. Encrypt remote agent caches or revoke remote agent access privileges from a central management console.
An alternative for one or more of the following: VPN, DFS, FTP, Dropbox, Box, SharePoint, ShareFile, Anchor, Egnyte, etc.
Combines NTFS permissions, Active Directory users and drive mappings. Advanced reports and usage audits on file-sharing activity from a centralized management console.
Simplified remote access from iOS/AndroidPC/Mac/Windows Phone/Windows RT mobile devices. From any location, with any device.
Eliminate management costs of servers and VPNs. Avoid the cost of manual files and folders replication or recreation of NTFS permissions.
Seamlessly integrates into current file-based enterprise networks and work-flow environments.
Choose different implementations based on your own needs. Easy process to set up.
Ready to boost mobile productivity and enable workforce to work from home today?