The ability to access your files from virtually anywhere is rapidly changing the face of computing. While there are consumer-based services that let you transfer and sync files, these services offer users a couple of gigs of online storage for free and come in handy if you want to backup or share small files (documents, spreadsheets, et al). When you need to share larger files, however, these services quickly become expensive.
Enter the iTwin. The iTwin is an innovative plug-and-play USB device that allows users to share an unlimited amount of information with any other internet-connected computer that has a USB port. At first glance, it appears to be a two-sided USB device, but when you connect it to your MAC or PC desktop you will notice that it's something more than your run-of-the-mill piece of portable hardware.
The first thing that you'll notice when you plug in your iTwin is a page that will ask you to enter your email address. This is for a password to remotely disable the device (more on that later). Your iTwin is then ready to use; it's that simple. You remove the back half of the disk and leave the other half connected to your MAC or PC. The interface is much like that of other portable hardware. You can then drag and drop files (or whole drives) to your iTwin folder. You are then ready to connect the other half of the drive to any other internet-ready computer and your files will be there. iTwin is a private file-sharing option like nothing that is available through the pay-per month services. The company, also named iTwin, calls it a "personal cloud".
iTwin uses a military grade advanced encryption standard (AES) 256-bit encryption to protect shared files. If for some reason one of the ends of your iTwin get lost or you just want to stop sharing files with the user that possesses half of your iTwin dongle, you can end communication between the dongles with the aforementioned remote disable code that had been sent to your email address when you first installed the iTwin.
iTwin has recently rolled out the "Multi" feature where it makes it possible for more than one iTwin can be plugged into a device. This is a great way for team leaders to be constantly updated on their member's work while allowing the individual's work to remain private. That is just one example of the iTwin being a solution to your company's file sharing needs.
iTwin hardware is being sold for $99, making it a nice option for users that don't want to take on the monthly expense of one of the cloud-based file sharing services, but it's only between two devices, so it isn't for everybody. For more information about the best practices in file sharing, contact Elite Integration at (281) 313-1321. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff can answer any of your IT-related questions and help find the right solutions to all of your IT issues.
