Files Connect 10.5 Fast Search of Windows and NAS Files Shares for Mac in Windows Environments by Acronis

Acronis International GmbH announced Files Connect (formerly ExtremeZ-IP), giving Mac users instant access to available file shares and DFS resources together with a fast search functionality that is hundreds times faster than the default Mac’s Finder application.

Files Connect streamlines the integration of Mac computers into a Windows-based network. It directly addresses the reliability and performance issues associated with connecting Mac computers to Windows file shares and DFS resources via AFP and SMB protocols. As a result, companies with Mac/Windows environments enjoy fewer support calls, increased productivity.

This solution is easy, reliable, and fast. It takes three clicks to locate and access a file on any number of file shares with  Files Connect, compared to ten clicks per share with Mac’s Finder application; and company’s internal tests showed that it only takes up to threes to search 250,000 files on a remote share with Files Connect, compared to more than 25 minutes when using Finder connected via SMB. In fact, full content search is not normally available for Macs connecting to remote file shares via SMB. It tackles the issue head on by allowing advanced search of multiple file shares simultaneously without performance or reliability degradation.

Click to enlarge

Software functionality:
Files Connect introduces new file indexing options on the server side and a new lightweight Mac application to provide a single pane of glass into all remote file storage locations.

Some of the features include the following:

• Ability to specify AFP or SMB protocol as required for each files share

• Automated mounting of file shares

• Full content Spotlight search on single or multiple file shares simultaneously

• Easy management of network printers

• Real-time granular search index updates

• Spotlight search on volumes managed by HSM/file system archiving solutions

• Control file content indexing for dramatic reduction in search index size

• Support for Windows and Mac file tags

“Acronis Files Connect is the only solution that provides the rich experience Mac users demand when connecting to Windows or NAS file servers and DFS resources. This solution is packed with new features and advanced functionality, yet easy to administer. Making Mac integration into Windows networks transparent,” said John Zanni, CMO, Acronis.

Opportunity for partners and resellers
With more than 91% of enterprise organisations using Mac computers, Files Connect opens new business opportunities for partners and resellers servicing those businesses. This solution can be offered alongside Acronis data protection and storage solutions, meeting modern day needs for data protection and availability. It is designed to streamline the management of mixed Mac/Windows environments and reduce the load on IT administrators by removing file access issues common to Mac users.

Ressource:
Acronis Files Connect 10.5: What’s new