Thursday, April 10, 2014

1D4B vs Win2012R2 Share Folders

In 2013, MSFT Storage Team announced a new feature in Windows Server 2012 R2.
Work Folders enables user to access their work related files on the devices with configured Work Folders no matter whether the devices are joined to a domain or not and whether the devices are connected directly to the corp net or over the internet.

That is a nice upgrade from the Windows XP breifcase right? So, later comes One Drive for Business as a Cloud Based storage solution.

Last week a client of mine asked "Which solution do I implement?"

I gave him the consulting drinking game answer "It Depends".

While at SharePoint Saturday Philly I attended the single most underrated session, Ask the PFE's. where a panel of MSFT'ies answers all your burning questions. Kudos to that team, led by SharePoint Samurai Mike Gannotti @Gannotti

After a round of discussion, this is what the team said:  "It Depends"

Crack open a cold one and let's you and I discuss further.

The following table discusses how various Microsoft sync technologies are positioned and when to use each.


Work Folders
Offline Files
SkyDrive Pro
SkyDrive
Technology summary
Syncs files that are stored on a file server with PCs and devices
Syncs files that are stored on a file server with PCs that have access to the corporate network (can be replaced by Work Files)
Syncs files that are stored in Office 365 or in SharePoint with PCs and devices inside or outside a corporate network, and provides document collaboration functionality
Syncs personal files that are stored in SkyDrive with PCs, Mac computers, and devices
Intended to provide user access to work files
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Cloud service
None
None
Office 365
Microsoft SkyDrive
Internal network servers
File servers running Windows Server 2012 R2
File servers
SharePoint server (optional)
None
Supported clients
PCs and devices* inside or outside a corporate network
PCs in a corporate network or connected through DirectAccess, VPNs, or other remote access technologies
PCs, iOS, Windows Phone
PCs, Mac computers, Windows Phone, iOS, Android
*Work Folders apps not yet announced.


Conclusion:
Until the WorkFolders App is released (unknown) the answer is clear that if you need both device independence with multiple device access, OneDrive for Business is the answer.
If you need internal access only, WorkFolders can be the best solution.
But other than that, I see no reason NOT to go with more functionality you get with OneDrive for Business.




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