REVIEW: Workshare: Keeping Documents Confidential

The client-only Workshare Protect 5 offers all of that capability, but on a single PC basis, while the enterprise product, Workshare Protect Enterprise, adds centralized policy management. Otherwise, the products function the same as far as the individual desktop user is concerned.

Tests show that Workshare is quite adept at identifying and capturing proprietary or protected data by scanning e-mail attachments and other methods of data transmission. Content filtering also proves easy to use as a handy toolbar icon alerts users to content violations and offers ample explanation to train users on what is acceptable content.

For individual users, document control can be enhanced using a plug-in control item in Microsoft Word's toolbar, and users can further limit transmitted data with this option. This feature proves to be useful for small medical offices bound by HIPAA regulations. These functions are all available on-demand via a toolbar that can be added to Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. All applications support work by alerting the user if and when a content policy violation occurs, and depending on policy settings, employees may continue to send the document or have it blocked.

The product also scans PDF documents, providing another layer of protection for company reports and captured information.

Workshare proves to be a valuable add-on for VARs servicing the legal, financial and medical markets. The product brings information control to businesses bound by legislative requirements and also protects data from accidental leaks and intentional compromises.

San Francisco-based Workshare's channel program offers two partner levels: Ready and Integrity. Ready partners are those looking to build integrated solutions using Workshare and who want to deliver a custom product with Workshare embedded.

Integrity partners typically are solution providers looking to resell the product. Integrity partners enjoy competitive margins at each tier in the program and are rewarded with rebates for meeting and exceeding specific sales targets.

Workshare also provides proposal-based MDF, further increasing partner business volumes and profits. A deal registration program is offered and aims to fully support and assist Workshare channel partners in North America. Workshare provides additional margins on all deals registered on the Partner Portal and closed within six months from the date of registration. Dedicated channel managers are available to registered partners and can help manage the deal registration process.