Syncplicity unveils service to centralize data, collaboration, backup

Online data management vendor Syncplicity on Tuesday released the Business Edition of its service that includes data collaboration, file management, backup and automatic synchronization between desktop and cloud applications.

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The online service creates a centralized repository in the cloud that automatically synchronizes with any and all devices. The service makes the data repository the central hub of a user's information, detaching the data from a specific device. Business Edition includes a client that installs on PCs or other devices and is used to synchronize files between the device and cloud repository. Updated files are available from any devices in real-time.

Syncplicity is building the service off its consumer offering, which already stores 200 million files and more than 256 terabytes of data.

The service also can integrate with Web applications such as Google Apps, allowing users to create documents with those online tools and synchronize them with the Syncplicity Business Edition service.

For example, when a document is changed on a local computer it can be synchronized with the users' Netbook device but also with an online application such as Google Apps. The Syncplicity service pushes the update into Google Apps. If the file changes in Google Apps, the changes will then flow back to the desktop where it was originally created.

"We think most information will migrate to an information centric world where devices are no longer at the center," says Leonard Chung, CEO of Syncplicity, who previously worked in Microsoft's server division. "Microsoft and Dell are really device centric vs. the newer folks like Google who are information centric. But customers don't want to make an adopt-and-abandon choice – adopt one and abandon the other. They want to best of both worlds and we tie it together."

Business Edition also includes a number of tools for IT such as user management, access management via policies, reporting tools and encryption. The service also includes a restore feature and supports real-time backup. Collaboration features include versioning and revision history.

Syncplicity also offers a public API for integration with third-party tools and add-ons.

The Business Edition is priced at $45 per month for three users and 50GB of storage. Syncplicity also offers various levels of support from telephone support to free community-driven support.

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