Xythos' WebFile Server Makes Sharing Easy

The product accepts and works with Unix, Linux and Windows files, as opposed to Microsoft SharePoint Services, which works only with Windows. Many organizations are now using WebFile Server to improve access to and security of files outside a corporate firewall.

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MARIO MOREJON

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Technical Editor

All of WebFile Server's document management features are readily available through its browser. Users don't have to install any plug-ins or be concerned with turning on any feature inside the browser,WebFile Server is completely HTTP-enabled.

WebFile Server provides most of the standard document management features available in Windows or most document management servers. Users can create folders and can move, copy, delete or rename files and upload those files from the browser. By checking the box next to those files, a file can be assigned to a particular group. The equivalent mechanism in Windows is to press the control button while clicking on each file to highlight it. WebFile Server enables users to work with multiple files at the same time. It also allows users to download files in Zip format one at a time or combined into a single file simply by placing checks next to each document. This feature reduces network bandwidth and simplifies user access. Directories can be Zipped as well.

An Info button displays file and folder properties. Default programs can also be associated with each file. There are a couple of ways Xythos' server can track file and directory activity. For example, on the right side of the main browser pane, users can create bookmarks for any actively used directory and track its use. They can also create subscriptions to receive e-mail notifications when any editing is done to a file or even when a file is opened; notifications can be sent in daily reports or immediately. Users can also lock a file so it can't be changed. When anyone reads the locked file, a notification is logged and sent to the user. Logging is an asynchronous way to notify users of actions done to a file.

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WebFile Server offers many more options for manipulating file properties than does Microsoft SharePoint Services. For instance, users can give access to files outside their corporate firewall on an hourly basis. They can even control the number of times a file can be accessed within a particular time period.

The server can also assign name-value pairs to any resource and lets users add extra fields of metadata to a document. The name-value pair is integrated into its search engine and can be used to integrate documents into a business process. To automate the assignment process, challenge responses can be added to an upload file process so users can categorize their own documents. Also, as users share more content outside corporate firewalls, WebFile Server makes it easier to track documents that have been released to other users.

Because the product is designed for collaboration, there are many opportunities for expansion. For instance, developers can use the file system to track builds or source code development. To maintain HIPAA compliance, hospitals can use the logging function to track when patient information was accessed and by whom. Within an intranet, IP addresses can be added into the log so that administrators can determine which terminals were used to access information.

WebFile Server will work with Active Directory or LDAP so it can be deployed in different operating systems. Permissions can be applied to a file or a directory. Even though WebFile Server is a lightweight document management server, the role of an IT administrator can be extensive. In addition to giving inheritable administrative rights to folders, administrators can also give users inheritable read, write and delete rights. That propagation of rights allows users to simplify their administration tasks and at the same time give fine-grained control to multiple users at once. It's a good idea for users to set these rights because any content that gets into a directory automatically can inherit the rights of that directory.

CHANNEL PROGRAM SNAPSHOTS
>XYTHOS WEBFILE SERVER 4.1
CRN TEST CENTER RECOMMENDED

PRICE: $35,000 for 250 user licenses
MARGIN: 30 percent
DISTRIBUTORS: ADV Document Systems, Document Processing Systems, Fortis Technologies
TECH RATING:


CHANNEL RATING:

CHANNEL OVERVIEW: San Francisco-based Xythos Software founded its channel program six months ago and has quickly established a well-rounded, support-rich program. To join, solution providers must display expertise in the document management market. Xythos' field-based engineers participate in joint sales, assist partners during installations and provide hands-on training. The vendor provides customized presentations and documentation, and on-site technical and sales training. Support is also available on Xythos' online developer network.

Note: Vendors can earn up to five stars for technical merit and five for their channel program. If the average of these two scores is four stars or greater, the product earns CRN Test Center Recommended status.