Packeteer Thinks Remotely

Packeteer, a company that makes appliances that quickly and safely shuttle 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) compression and downsizes network traffic loads between 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 a 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 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 — with some, like Riverbed, eyeing the public markets for their exit strategy — vendors are intent on improving their flagship products.

Article courtesy of InternetNews.com