Cloud File Server

Replace Traditional File Servers and Modernize Access

Want to move your file server to the cloud without the data transformation costs and hassles of SharePoint?

Do you want to simplify the migration by preserving existing drive letters, access permissions, folder structures and ownership?

Do you want to avoid having your data scattered across file servers, OneDrive, Dropbox and Google Drive?

Or maybe you are just looking for a better way to allow remote users to access file server shares or Azure Files without a VPN?

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Replace traditional file servers and modernize access in the age of the cloud!

Drive Mapping and File Server Compatibility

Some solutions cannot map a drive or do so in a very cumbersome way. You need drive mapping, file locking, and centralized permissions management capabilities so users can seamlessly access their familiar P, Q, R, and S drives with their existing usernames, passwords, and permissions. They are looking for the benefits of an on-premises file server combined with the mobility of the cloud.

Drive Mapping and File Server Compatibility

Application Compatibility

Most other cloud solutions force you to change your daily workflows once data migration to their services is complete. Examples include SharePoint, which forces you to split data into multiple libraries or shorten file names, affecting external references to files and links between files. Other solutions, like Dropbox, may force you to rethink permission control. These changes may not be compatible with applications such as AutoCAD or InDesign in a team environment.

Drive Mapping and File Server Compatibility

Privacy, Compliance and Control

Sometimes your files need to be stored in a specific region to comply with local or nationwide regulations. One of your most important requirements is to be able to determine where your data is stored, while other cloud solutions can not tell you. Your workflow typically starts with selecting a data destination, such as Azure Files or hosted file servers in a regional data center, before selecting a compatible cloud solution.

Drive Mapping and File Server Compatibility

Migration Complexity and Cost

There are many migration issues we have heard about from customers using other cloud solutions. With SharePoint, it was mostly scaling issues that meant splitting large data sets into smaller libraries or shortening long paths. With Dropbox and OneDrive, it's mostly about syncing files that consume too much local storage or network bandwidth. With Citrix Files, it's about skyrocketing costs due to increased storage consumption.

Drive Mapping and File Server Compatibility

Testimonials

Stephen Monk

CentreStack is the best file server replacement solution on the market. They aren’t just leading the market, but they basically created a new market - none of the other products can do the things that I can do with CentreStack.

Stephen Monk
CEO, Noverus Innovations

Are you looking to take advantage of these capabilities?

Can your cloud file server do these?

01

Simplify remote file server access

Simplify remote access to file servers and inter-office collaboration without using a VPN or RDP. Other services can only solve this problem if they have your data at their location. We give you back the choice of storage location by providing the same simple user experience whether your data is in Azure Files, AWS Storage Gateway, a hosted file server, or any other storage service.

02

Mimic a file server interface

Reduce costs by simplifying the migration and decommissioning of traditional file servers to cloud file servers. Use existing drive letters, file locks, access permissions, and folder structures to simplify management and avoid disrupting your users. Whether the file server interface is inherited directly or emulated in the cloud, you have the same P, Q, R, and S drives as if they had never been changed.

03

Maintain Application Compatibility

Maintain compatibility with legacy applications such as AutoCAD, Revit, and InDesign without compromising multi-user access and file locking. These applications typically have external references (XREFs) and are therefore sensitive to moving files relative to each other or changing file names. A multi-letter drive mapping helps to avoid breaking cross-references between files.

04

Combines On-Prem and Cloud

Combine the security and control of Windows file servers with the ease of use and productivity of the cloud. Has an easier permissions migration and configuration strategy than Dropbox, OneDrive or Google Drive. Combines NTFS permissions, Active Directory users, and drive mappings with remote access and cloud-based file servers for internal collaboration and external file sharing.

Stephen Monk

Gladinet has revolutionized the way our office works remotely. The software is evolving rapidly, and the cross-platform support makes it a breeze to keep my business working.

Cloud-based File Server Solution

Looking for the benefits of an on-premises file server combined with the accessibility of the cloud? Then you should take a look at CentreStack! No other solution can handle drive mappings and permissions as well as this one. You have the unmatched ability to easily migrate permissions for folders and subfolders and maintain drive mappings for different departments without changing anything. Phenomenal!

CentreStack Solution

CentreStack combines the benefits of on-prem file servers with those of modern cloud solutions to create a unique, all-in-one solution that offers traditional VPN capabilities such as drive mapping and file locking, as well as modern web and mobile file access and sharing. It's the true cloud file server solution you have been looking for!

Remote Access

CentreStack connects file servers and cloud storage for secure remote access without VPN.

Disaster Recovery

CentreStack transforms cloud storage accounts into a centralized cloud file repository with version control, file history and audit tracing to ensure business continuity of on-premises file servers.

Mobile Sharing

CentreStack leverages cloud storage for secure mobile file sharing via a web browser or mobile app.

Cloud Migration

CentreStack sets up a hybrid deployment between on-premises file servers and cloud storage that can be seamlessly transformed into a cloud-only solution.

Drive Mapping and File Server Compatibility

Why use CentreStack instead of other cloud solutions?

Drive Mapping and File Server Compatibility

Tired of using cloud services that do not offer the familiarity and functionality of a traditional file server?

Introducing CentreStack - the ultimate solution for drive mapping and file server compatibility. With our platform, you can easily manage and access your files centrally. Our unique features include native support for file locking, drive mapping, and NTFS permissions, so your users can seamlessly access their familiar P, Q, R, and S drives with their existing usernames, passwords, and permissions. Do not settle for less. Choose CentreStack if you want a truly unparalleled cloud file server experience.

We love the ability to assign drive letters to PCs. And file locking just works automatically as files are opened.

Application Compatibility

Why use CentreStack instead of other cloud solutions?

Application Compatibility

Tired of struggling with costly maintenance and limited storage on local servers for legacy applications like AutoCAD, InDesign and QuickBooks? Looking for an answer with a cloud solution, our customers have expressed several common concerns about popular solutions like SharePoint and OneDrive. Many of them have found that popular cloud services do not meet their needs due to the incompatibility of handling files specifically on either side.

At CentreStack, we understand these challenges and have designed our cloud file server to support legacy applications and provide a cost-effective solution. Our customers have found that our system provides easy and consistent access to files for multiple users, both remotely and on-premises. They also appreciate our ability to map drive letters and set permissions for folders and subfolders.

We were using Google Drive, but it no longer works for our architectural and engineering firm. We have 3 offices and individuals working at home. CentreStack’s drives and file locking just worked better for AutoCAD and other design files.

Maintain Privacy, Compliance and Control

Why use CentreStack instead of other cloud solutions?

Maintain Privacy, Compliance and Control

At CentreStack, we understand the importance of data protection, compliance and control when managing file servers. Our solution allows customers to seamlessly access and collaborate with files from privately hosted servers while maintaining centralized control and NTFS permissions. Unlike public cloud storage services, CentreStack gives you the ability to privately manage your own security and protect sensitive customer data. Our flexible options for client and team folder location give you the ability to meet the needs of different projects or clients. Contact us to learn more about how CentreStack can help your business.

We host our customers’ file servers and manage their IT. Our customers prefer to trust us to manage their file servers so we cannot move them to a public cloud storage service. CentreStack allowed us to provide seamless remote access, collaboration and sharing from those privately hosted file servers.

Reduce Migration Complexity and Cost

Why use CentreStack instead of other cloud solutions?

Reduce Migration Complexity and Cost

Migrating to the cloud can present challenges such as data transformation and storage costs. For services like SharePoint, data often needs to be reorganized to meet system requirements, which can be expensive, such as hundreds of dollars per terabyte per month. Not to mention that the migration would fail after a few months and the existing applications would no longer run on SharePoint. CentreStack's approach to data migration is to treat user identities, existing security permissions and data as a cohesive whole for migration, without requiring administrators to reorganize folder structure or reassign permissions.

We had millions of files and didn't want to spend weeks or months reorganizing data to ensure that SharePoint's OneDrive client wouldn't experience performance issues caused by more than 300,000 objects in a document library. We found a solution with CentreStack, which allowed us to migrate our data without making any changes.

It's easy and simple to help your clients

Our client had a file server that was running out of storage. We wanted to migrate it to a cloud-based file server, but did not like that most do not behave like a traditional server (Dropbox, OneDrive, etc.) and do not really provide a well-managed, centralized data set. CentreStack helped us migrate the on-prem server to the cloud and simulate traditional file server controls like mapped drives, permissions and centralized management.

Challenges at Work - mobility without interrupting your daily workflow

Are you looking for a solution that balances security and mobility in the workplace? Looking for a way to improve employee productivity without disrupting their daily workflow? Check out the CentreStack solution and learn how we can help you and your business!

Many organizations face these challenges as they try to access local file servers from mobile devices and remote locations while moving content to popular public file sharing services like Dropbox and OneDrive. However, this raises concerns about security, privacy and data control. As a result, some organizations are forced to block these public file-sharing services and rely on VPNs or other traditional methods to protect corporate data. If your company is in a similar situation, contact us and we can help!

Our cloud file server solution provides a secure and seamless way to access and share files from anywhere without compromising security and data control. Say goodbye to VPNs and blocked file sharing services and look forward to improved productivity and peace of mind.

In this tension between employee productivity and data protection requirements, you as IT administrators also need to consider the following implied digital transformation initiatives that we can help you with:

MOBILE ACCESS

MOBILE ACCESS

Simplify remote access to file servers from mobile devices, PCs, Macs and browsers.

SERVER COSTS

SERVER COSTS

Reduce the cost of replacing servers. Eliminate server and VPN management costs.

DATA SPRAWL

DATA SPRAWL

Avoid the hassles of splitting data sets between internal file servers and cloud solutions like Dropbox.

MIGRATION COSTS

MIGRATION COSTS

Avoid the costs of manually replicating files and folders or restoring NTFS permissions.

MULTIPLE OFFICES

MULTIPLE OFFICES

Avoid the management issues of cross-site replication and simplify collaboration with remote offices.

SECURITY THREATS

SECURITY THREATS

Eliminate threats from decentralized security and personal Dropbox and other third-party accounts.

Need to comply with new regulations?

After looking at various options such as Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox and many others, we realized that it was important for us to have a clear view of where our data was stored. CentreStack was the best choice for us because it gives us the flexibility to store our data in a location of our choosing, which is increasingly important in light of potential new regulations requiring data to be stored domestically rather than with foreign companies.

Cloud File Server Feature Highlights

Cloud file servers based on CentreStack reduce cost and complexity by eliminating the need for on-premises file servers and the associated management overhead, while simplifying remote access and collaboration between offices. CentreStack also provides a Cloud Server Agent that allows you to automatically migrate file servers to a cloud-only solution or create a hybrid file server deployment that replicates file shares to the cloud for remote access.

Cloud File Server Feature Highlights

Map Cloud Drive

Remotely access files in cloud storage from a mapped drive letter without the need for a VPN. Mobile applications included!

On-Demand Synchronization

Some applications can't move, and you have invested heavily in the past, from user's experience to licensing costs.

End-point Protection

Encrypt remote agent caches or revoke remote agent access privileges from a central management console.

Offline Access

Access shared files and shared folders in an offline mode detached from the Internet and synchronize when back online.

Cloud File Server Feature Highlights

Folder Permissions

Define different permissions for folders at different levels of the directory structure or inherit from NTFS permissions directly.

Secure Data Room

Web based secure data room allows view-only access to shared folders with download disabled.

Active Directory

From internal Active Directory users to external clients and partners, you can define user rights for folder sharing.

Version Control

CentreStack adds version control and file protection from cloud storage to the local file server.

Cut costs by 90%!

We planned to migrate our large data set to SharePoint, but found it difficult to maintain the existing permissions and hierarchies that had evolved over the years. Ultimately, we had to move all the data to Azure Files instead, which added additional costs to both Azure Files and SharePoint for nearly 50 TB data. We switched to CentreStack, which allowed us to use Azure Blob Storage without changing our data or permission structures, and cut costs by 90%."

Cloud File Server Use Cases

CentreStack's ability to use standard drive mappings for cloud storage simplifies deployment, access and centralized collaboration. Many other solutions offer savings and productivity gains by sharing files in the cloud (e.g., Egnyte and Dropbox), but CentreStack offers the unique ability to create your own cloud-based file server with custom branding while maintaining complete control over the storage and servers involved. CentreStack is also unique in its deep integration with NTFS and Active Directory, and the ability to create a hybrid cloud file server environment that retains drive mapping, file locking, and the familiar user experience of permissions control.

Remote Access To File Shares Without a VPN

Easy remote access to file server network shares with a mapped drive and without a VPN.

Mobile Device Access to Hosted File Shares

Web browser based access and mobile application access to data-center hosted file server network shares.

The Cloud File Server Benefits!

CentreStack can either install agent software on your file server or directly mount network shares from your file server network share when direct access is available. It intelligently manages local and cloud storage to provide a range of cloud enablement options.

Active Directory security and NTFS permission models are also maintained as if nothing changed, and users get a familiar drive letter to access files from remote locations with distributed file locking to prevent collaboration collisions.

Retire File Servers

Businesses find themselves having to purchase new file servers every few years. These capital expenditures can be eliminated by migrating file shares to the cloud with CentreStack. Users can continue to work on the existing file shares without disruption and the file server can be retired once the migration is completed.

Remote Access and File Sharing

Simplify remote access and file sharing with familiar interfaces on any computer or device. Windows and Mac desktops display natively mapped drives in Explorer and Finder. That same experience is presented on iOS and Android devices like iPads, iPhones and Pixels or can be viewed from popular web browsers like Chrome and Firefox.

Simplify File Shares Access

Easily collaborate with business partners by providing them with access to a limited set of internal files or folders. Share files with non-AD users while maintaining administrative controls. Simplify multi-site collaboration with automatic version controls and file locking.

Reduce Costs by Replacing VPN

Eliminate the overhead and support tickets commonly associated with VPN file sharing, Always On VPN or Direct Access. Automatically use existing users and permissions to save setup time and money. Having a always-on mapped drive helps end-user experience too.

Simplify Management

Eliminate the need to manage servers on-premises by retiring them to the cloud. Centrally manage users, access controls, and storage for each tenant. Easily keep track of where the data is, who has access and how it’s being shared.

Centrally Manage Permissions

For complete control and visibility, granular permissions can be managed from the file server that was their source, or natively with CentreStack. If the file server is retired, CentreStack becomes the new permissions master.

Maintain Compliance

Centrally manage users, access controls, and storage for each tenant. Easily keep track of where the data is, who has access and how it’s being shared. Admins can perform audits of GDPR and HIPAA compliance or keep track of any changes that have been made to individual files.

Increase Productivity

Provide an always-on mapped drive that works anywhere on any device and allows mobile users to easily access internal file shares or cloud file servers. Web browser based file access and mobile applications on iOS and Android devices also helps the mobility and productivity.

Enhance Data Security

Data protection leverages military grade encryption to secure connections and to protect data at rest. Automatically use existing users and permissions to save setup time and money.

On-Demand Synchronization

For the remotely mapped drive, on-demand access and synchronization is there by default to reduce bandwidth usage and endpoint storage consumption. At the same time, cache encryption provides end-point protection.

Multi-tenant, White Labeled Solution

CentreStack provides a white labeled platform that makes it easy for MSP partners to build a private cloud file server solution based on infrastructure from Amazon, Azure or Google Cloud.

A Private Cloud Alternative

For data privacy, security and control, CentreStack provides a better alternative to Dropbox and SharePoint using any private cloud or by mobilizing existing on-premise file servers with existing IT infrastructure.

Using Teams and OneDrive?

We tried using Teams as our file server, but it was ugly as it is supported by SharePoint. It was fine for a small deployment, but we worried about scaling as we grew. We could not get used to sharing or permissions management and had weird sync issues. And there was a steep learning curve because OneDrive did not feel or work like a network drive. So we looked for a cloud-based file server replacement that retained the familiarity of a traditional file server. With CentreStack, we found that elusive combination.

Ready to boost mobile productivity and enable the workforce to work from home today?