Review Of Sugarsync Online Storage And Sync Solution

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Overview and History

SugarSync is a fairly new product. It was launched in the first quarter of 2008 and is designed on the SharpCast Universal Sync Platform, the underlying technology utilized in SharpCast Photos. Sugarsync is fashioned to sync all of a someone's files (documents, media, photos, etc.) via many machines. SugarSync also can be used as an online backup service and people can gain access to all of their data from a personalized sub-domain on the SugarSync website using the structure of username.sugarsync.com.

Feature Set

Security

file safety is OK. Data is transferred to and from their servers via 128bit SLL cryptography which is normal, but, when files are on their servers the data is encrypted using 128bit AES coding which is a little light by recent standards. They do support private key coding as an choice, however, this is also 128bit AES. We would have preferred at least 256bit AES or best of all 448bit Blowfish. Your data is stored on servers that are protected in data centers which are monitored for security all day and night and are geo-redundant, meaning that your files is backed up lots of times every day to a lot of locations globally.

Backup Features

The important purpose of SugarSync - as the monica implies - is Synchronization, still, it can also be reliably utilized as a backup method. This is managed by downloading and running the SugarSync Manager. SugarSync continually monitors elected files for alterations and backs then up in the background whilst you change them. The Web Archive function allows you to drag and drop files to make a permanent variant of a file that will not be backed up with new changes. Network and pen drives can also be archived but not automatically. The backup state can be seen at any time and individual files and folders can be assigned normal or high positioning.

SugarSync will automatically maintain up to 5 versions of files and only the current variation counts towards your storage limit.

Restore Features

Files can be restored from the SugarSync Manager or by way of the web portal. Old versions of files can be restored from the web portal There is no limit to the amount of restores you can run.

Control and Analysis

There is an upload speed limiter in the SugarSync Manager but no inbound or CPU throttling. Proxy servers are allowed and can be organized in the SugarSync Manager.

Interface

The Business edition has support for administoring loads of accounts from a central program still, the 'individual' accounts don't have this functionality.

All accounts must have the SugarSync Manager functioning on PCs or MACs to allow synchronization.

Device Support

SugarSync currently has programs for iPhone, iPod, Blackberry, Windows Mobile. Different mobile devices can get to Sugarsync files via m.sugarsync.com and additional platform specific apps are in development.

Limitations

There is a top individual file size limit of 2Gb when transferring between machines, withal, this is dropped once the file is fully uploaded to the web portal. There is no top end to how much can be uploaded, downloaded or synchronized between devices until the maximum file usage limit for the account is reached. There is currently no support forLinux.

File Sharing and Collaboration

Folders can be shared publicly or privately. When sharing privately, items can be set as read-only or as writable. Folders can be password protected.

Another function is the Online Photo Album, which enables you to distribute photos publicly or privately and offers an option to send albums on Facebook, or distribute the album as an RSS feed.

When you initialize an account with SugarSync, you get a public domain in the form of username.sugarsync.com where all your 'private' files can be held. Public data can be stored via a individual link that is generated when you set the file public. Once you share a folder you can receive a daily summary email of activities in that folder.

Synchronization

This is the main function of SugarSync. It allows you to invisibly synch your files automatically across your PC, Mac and mobile phone - one off setup and you are up and running! Files are also automatically synched to the web portal so you can access then from any web-enabled device. Since synching is via a central hub (the web portal) devices do not have to be online during synch operations. When an offline device comes online, the synch manager queries the central data area and synchronizes any changed folders quietly without you needing to do anything.

Web 2.0 Integration

Apart from the Online Photo Album utility, SugarSync also lets you stream music and video directly from the Web site to any device.

SugarSync enables you to send pictures directly to Facebook.

Customer Support

Telephone support is available at a cost of $99.99 per year. While this is a nice addition to the support offerings, I do not understand why I would pay more for the support than I do for the product! Alternative interactive support options are: Live chat during business hours, internet ticketing, forum and blog. You can also email support directly.

For self help, there are 'getting started' and user guides, FAQs, a knowledgebase and tutorials. There are optionally many testimonials and case studies available.

Ease Of Use

SugarSync is very easy to use: Sign-up, download the sync manager to all your devices, set which folders you wish to archive or synch and that's it.

The software and web portal are easy to use and the inline help is very detailed.

Cost

SugarSync presents 5 paid packages as shown below:

30Gb - free initial setup - $4.99/mth - $49.99/yr

60Gb - free initial setup - $9.99/mth - $99.99/yr

100Gb - free initial setup - $14.99/mth - $149.99/yr

250Gb - free initial setup - $24.99/mth - $249.99/yr

Business - free initial setup - $29.99/mth - $199.99/yr - initial storage allowance of 100Gb and 3 users - additional storage is available at $29.99 per 100Gb per month and additional users can be added at $9.99 per month per user.

All of the above offerings can be utilized to synchronize any amount of devices. There is also a free 2 GB account which allows synchronization of a maximum of 2 devices.

If you refer another person to the free account then both you and they are awarded an extra 250mb of storage. If you refer another person to the 30Gb+ account then both parties get an extra 5Gb.

There are no corporate versions in addition to the above mentioned business account.

Conclusion

SugarSync offers a simple and tidy means of synchronizing and/or backing up lots of devices. It offers a nicely rounded set of features that offer a belief of a painted program that has been carefully worked out.

SugarSync seems to be aimed at the individual rather than businesses but that should not prevent small businesses from using this solid and trustworthy solution.

by: savvyITsteve

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