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Review of Sugarsync Online Synchronization Service

Overview and History

SugarSync is a comparatively new product. It was launched in the start of 2008 and is designed on the SharpCast Universal Sync Platform, the backbone technology used in SharpCast Photos. Sugarsync is designed to sync all of a user's files (documents, media, photos, etc.) across multiple devices. SugarSync also works as an online backup program and users can get all of their information from a personalized sub-domain on the SugarSync website using the format of username.sugarsync.com.

Feature Set

Security

file safety is intelligent. Data is transferred to and from their servers via 128bit SLL cryptography which is the industry standard, but, once files are on their servers the information is secured using 128bit AES encryption which is a touch light by latest standards. They do offer private key cryptography as an alternative, however, this is also 128bit AES. We would have liked at least 256bit AES or even better 448bit Blowfish. Your data is stored on servers that are protected in data centers which are managed for security round the clock and are geo-redundant, meaning that your files is backed up a lot of times every day via multiple locations all over the world.

Backup Features

The principal service of SugarSync - as the monica implies - is Synchronization, still, it can also be reliably used as a backup answer. This is managed by downloading and installing the SugarSync Manager. SugarSync continually monitors selected files for changes and backs then up in the background even as you change them. The Web Archive feature allows you to drag and drop files to create a permanent version|edition|variant|variation} of a file that cannot be backed up with new changes. Network and pen drives can also be archived but not via automatic schedulling. The backup state can be seen anytime and unique files and folders can be allotted normal or high priority.
SugarSync does automatically keep up to 5 versions of files and only the current version counts towards your storage limit.

Restore Features

Files can be rebuilt from the SugarSync Manager or from the web portal. Old versions of files can be restored from the web site There is no limit to the amount of restores you can request.

Control and Analysis

There is an upstream speed limiter in the SugarSync Manager but no download or CPU throttling. Proxy servers are allowed and can be configured in the SugarSync Manager.

Interface

The Business edition has support for managing lots of accounts from a central location withal, the 'individual' accounts don't have this functionality.
All accounts need the SugarSync Manager functioning on PCs or MACs to manage synchronization.

Device Support

SugarSync currently has support for iPhone, iPod, Blackberry, Windows Mobile. Different mobile devices can access Sugarsync files via m.sugarsync.com and additional platform specific apps are in development.

Limitations

There is a top single file size limit of 2Gb when transferring between machines, nonetheless, this is dropped when the file is totally uploaded to the web portal. There is no limit|boundary|top end} to how much can be uploaded, downloaded or synchronized between devices until the maximum file usage limit for the account is reached. There is currently no support for Unix.

File Sharing and Collaboration

Information can be shared publicly or privately. When sharing privately, items can be set as read-only or as editable. Folders can be password protected.
There is an Online Photo Album, which enables you to distribute photos publicly or privately and offers an option to setup albums on Facebook, or distribute the album as an RSS feed.
When you create an account with SugarSync, you get a public domain in the form of username.sugarsync.com where all your 'private' information can be held. Public files can be stored via a special link that is created when you make the file public. Once you share a folder you can receive a daily summary email of activities in that folder.

Synchronization

This is the heart of SugarSync. It allows you to seamlessly synchronize your files automatically across your PC, Mac and mobile phone — one off configuration and you are all setup! Files are also automatically synched to the web portal so you can get to then from any web-enabled device. Because synching is via a central hub (the web site) devices do not need to be online during synch runs: When an offline device comes online, the software accesses the central data area and synchronizes any changed folders quietly without you needing to do anything.

Web 2.0 Integration

With the exception of the Online Photo Album function, SugarSync also enables you play music and video directly from the Web site to any device.
SugarSync enables you to post pictures directly to Facebook.

Customer Support

Telephone support can be bought at a cost of $99.99 per annum. While this is a good addition to the support offerings, I don't see the point in paying more for the support than I do for the product! Additional interactive support options are: Live chat during business hours, online ticketing, forum and blog. You can also email support directly.
For self help, there are 'getting started' and user guides, FAQs, a knowledgebase and tutorials. There are in addition many testimonials and case studies accessible.

Ease Of Use

SugarSync is a snap to use: Enroll, download the program to all your devices, nominate which folders you want to archive or synchronize and that's it.
The software and web site are easy to use and the inline help is really useful.

Cost

SugarSync has 5 paid packages as shown below:
30Gb - free initial setup - $4.99/mth - $49.99/yr
60Gb - free initial setup - $9.99/mth - $99.99/yr
100Gb - free initial setup - $14.99/mth - $149.99/yr
250Gb - free initial setup - $24.99/mth - $249.99/yr
Business - free initial setup - $29.99/mth - $199.99/yr – initial storage allowance of 100Gb and 3 users – additional storage is available at $29.99 per 100Gb per month and additional users can be added at $9.99 per month per user.

The above options can be used to synchronize any number of devices. There is also a free 2 GB account which allows synchronization of 2 devices only.
If you refer people to the free account then both you and they receive an extra 250mb of storage. If you refer someone to the 30Gb+ account then both parties are awarded an extra 5Gb.
There are no corporate plans apart from the standard business account.

Conclusion

SugarSync offers a uncomplicated and tidy technique of synchronizing and/or backing up numerous devices. It offers a nicely rounded set of features that furnish a perception of a complete service that has been carefully though out.
SugarSync appears to be aimed at the individual rather than businesses but that should not stop small businesses from using this solid and tried and tested solution.

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