SkySync Adds Storage Platform Synchronization to Internet2 NET+ Portfolio

Portal Architects, Inc. announced that it has joined the Internet2 NET+ portfolio, enabling higher education institutions to integrate their existing on-premises storage platforms with cloud-based storage services.

SkySync gives organizations storage agility, enabling them to sync, migrate and copy files, folders, sites or entire file structures across diverse storage systems in few clicks. The software opens up flexible storage opportunities for higher education institutions including: incorporating cloud storage capabilities anywhere, and on any device, with existing on-site systems; consolidating (or moving) to storage systems that meet functional/compliance or cost requirements, as well as enabling users to have access to files from all institutional storage systems.

As part of the Internet2 NET+ initiative, several early adopting universities have leveraged SkySync to synchronize thousands of Network Home Drives, SharePoint and other systems to their cloud storage service. Recently, Atlanta-based Morehouse College relied on SkySync to perform a large migration from its Network File Share (NFS) to Box cloud storage.

“SkySync automatically synced our NFS with our Box account so that all of the information in Box was up-to-date. It was the missing link in the transition from our on-premises system to Box,” said Clifford Russell, CIO, Morehouse College. “Beyond that, Portal Architects gave us incredible customer service any time we needed support. It was clear that they were committed to our success. We recommended SkySync for the Internet2 NET+ portfolio as a trusted tool that all universities should consider while addressing their storage needs in the future.“

Internet2 NET+ is a research and education (R&E) community-driven initiative focused on providing secure, agile and reliable cloud mobility to higher education’s diverse users. Through a rigorous peer-driven evaluation process, R&E institutions and cloud service providers work together to develop offerings that maximize deployment efficiencies and minimize the business and legal challenges, financial costs, and technology risks of migrating from on-campus to cloud-based solutions.

“As universities make the switch to hosting large datasets in the cloud, doing so easily and painlessly becomes a key enabler in that transition,” said Shelton Waggener, SVP, Internet2. “Colleges and universities that are using Internet2’s NET+ SkySync service can now streamline the way they move data, whether from legacy on-premise systems to the cloud or in between multiple cloud storage and collaboration services. They can rest assured that this solution is tested and tailored for the R&E community’s unique needs through the rigorous NET+ service validation process.“

The Internet2 NET+ SkySync offering tailored for higher education institutions is in the early adopters phase.