ShareFile, owned by Citrix Systems (NASDAQ:CTXS), is a SaaS product that allows you to choose where to securely store your files and documents, which could either be on the cloud or on the premises. ShareFile is uniquely designed for specific customer workflow and collaboration environments across multiple verticals.
Whether it’s an insurance agency with documents that need to be completed, signed and returned or an accounting firm that has large, secure email files that need to be managed, ShareFile is the all-encompassing solution for the modern workplace.
A Look at Citrix ShareFile
With ShareFile, small businesses can expect the following:
- Security and industry-readiness: ShareFile makes it easy to share files. It is also highly secure, protecting your files and client data.
- Industry-specific deployment and product delivery by industry experts: In order to optimize ShareFile solutions, Citrix engages with small and medium sized business teams to understand and align industry-specific workflows. ShareFile, for instance, recently integrated with Autodesk View, providing engineering end users and clients as well as architectural designers the ability to view 3D file types directly within the ShareFile web application.
- Real-time collaboration: Using ShareFile, you can check out and check in files when finished. Your team will be able to access these files real-time. The service also integrates with tools like Fujitsu ScanSnap and Microsoft Office, making collaboration across departments and teams a breeze. The integrations also allow for seamless editing and a paperless workflow.
Getting Started
Signing up for ShareFile is pretty easy. All you need to do is to sign up with an email address and a password.
Once you are logged in, you will notice that your ShareFile has its own URL in this format: https://yourcompanyname.sharefile.com.
Creating Folders
On the top right corner of your home screen, you will find the “Create Folder” option. Select it and customize it by adding a name and a description. The description will be displayed as a note attached to your folder.
Sharing Files
To share a file, go to the top navigation bar of your account and hover over the share button. Two options will be displayed. Select Email with ShareFile and enter all recipients’ email addresses, a subject line and a message. Click send and the message will be emailed to the recipient.
Request File from Others
ShareFile also allows you to request files from your team. To request a file, click the Request button on the top navigation bar and select “Email with ShareFile.” Enter all recipients’ email addresses, a subject line and a message. You can then choose the folder in ShareFile where you want the requested files to appear. You can also customize your security and notifications options by selecting “Edit Message Options.”
Pricing
ShareFile offers a couple of plans, yet each is tailored for specific users.
The most appropriate plan for a business seems to be the ‘Team’ plan that goes for $60 per month or the ‘Business’ plan that costs $100 per month. Both plans, however, ask for an additional fee if you want to set up more than five employee accounts. Here’s the pricing plan:
Summary
One might argue that there already are a couple of free collaboration tools (or tools with free options) in the market already. Some of these include Dropbox, Slack and Google Docs. Hence, the argument goes, there is no need to use a paid service. But before you dismiss ShareFile, you might want to look closely at what it offers. Besides sharing and file storing, the service also provides you with remote and virtual desktop access, document signing, and other features. Most importantly, the service integrates with other platforms. It plays well with other common small business apps like Microsoft Office 365, to name just one example.
Images: Citrix
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