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ShareFile
Developer(s)Progress Software Corporation
Initial releaseNovember 2005; 19 years ago (November 2005)
Operating systemMultiple
TypeFile sharing
LicenseProprietary
Websitesharefile.com

ShareFile is a secure content collaboration, file sharing and sync software that supports all the document-centric tasks and workflow needs of small and large businesses. The company also offers cloud-based or on-premises storage, virtual data rooms and client portals. ShareFile is owned by Progress Software Corporation.

History

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Early history

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Jesse Lipson, a self-taught programmer, built and launched ShareFile in November 2005 in Raleigh, North Carolina.[1]

Lipson created ShareFile after several of his website design clients asked him to build a password-protected area where they could set up folders and exchange business files with their clients. He felt FTP sites of the time were insufficient and saw an opportunity to create a web-based product.[1][2] ShareFile launched without a free version or outside funding, and focused on acquiring only business customers.[1]

By 2011, ShareFile had 3 million users in 100 countries.[1] ShareFile was included on the Inc. 500 list of Fastest Growing Private Companies in both 2010 and 2011.[3]

2011: Acquisition by Citrix Systems

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In October 2011, ShareFile was acquired by Citrix Systems.[4] Under terms of the agreement, ShareFile was offered as a standalone service in addition to its software becoming integrated into Citrix products. With the acquisition, Lipson became vice president and general manager of a new data sharing division within Citrix under the deal.[5][6] As of 2016, Lipson is corporate vice president and general manager of cloud services, which includes ShareFile and Citrix Workspace Cloud.[7]

A new 171,000-square-foot Raleigh office opened in October 2014 for Raleigh-based Citrix employees.[8][9] The office building was created using ShareFile and other software by Citrix and housed approximately 300 employees, until 2023.[10] As of April 2015, ShareFile had 55,000 corporate customers and 40 million users.[11]

2023: Acquisition by Cloud Software Group

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ShareFile was acquired by Cloud Software Group and separated its branding in 2023 to become a standalone business unit.[12][13] It was included in Computerworld's 2023 list of the top ten file-sharing services.[14]

2024: Acquisition by Progress Software Corporation

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On October 31, 2024, Progress Software Corporation announced that it had completed the purchase of ShareFile for $875 million. Additionally, it reported that the acquired company could provide more than 86,000 costumers to the Massachusetts-based firm.[15]

Product overview

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ShareFile is a secure, cloud-based platform for businesses to store and share large files.[1][5] Businesses are able to create branded, password-protected areas for files through the service. The software has a client-portal feature businesses can set up and customize to allow outside vendors and clients access to specific projects and files.[16] Other ShareFile features include the ability to send and obtain e-signatures on documents with the integration of RightSignature;[17] the ability to send encrypted email through a Microsoft Outlook plugin or an online portal,[18] Microsoft 365 connection to access and edit documents stored in SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business;[19] and the ability for individuals to migrate data from their personal clouds into ShareFile.[20] There are also mobile app versions of ShareFile, which allow mobile editing and offline editing of documents.[21]

Security features

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ShareFile users have the option to store data in their own data centers, Citrix-managed data centers, or use existing file storage systems via StorageZone Connectors. This allows companies to host files that they do not want stored in the cloud, in some cases due to regulatory concerns.[22] IT managers can manage corporate content on ShareFile using remote wipe, encryption, passcode lock and poison pill features. In addition, companies are able to restrict third-party editing tools that employees might try to install on their devices, and audit content accessed from a device that has been lost or stolen.[21][23]

Industry-specific features

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In response to updated regulations with HIPAA standards, Citrix created ShareFile Cloud for Health Care in 2013. This private virtual cloud was designed to help companies stay compliant with updated HIPAA standards. It runs on the AWS Cloud, but sets aside specific virtual servers to host protected health information (PHI).[24] Also in 2013, ShareFile began offering a feature called "Archiving for Financial Services" to help organizations in the financial sector comply with data archiving regulations put forth by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.[25]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Timothy Prickett Morgan (October 13, 2011). "Citrix buys cloudy storage biz ShareFile". The Register. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  2. ^ Sramana Mitra (July 7, 2012). "Thought Leaders in Cloud Computing: Jesse Lipson, Founder and CEO, ShareFile by Citrix". Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  3. ^ "ShareFile". inc.com. Inc. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  4. ^ "Citrix Systems Inc. Form 10-K Annual Report 2011" (PDF). Nasdaq Intel. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  5. ^ a b Andrew R Hickey (October 13, 2011). "Citrix Scoops Up ShareFile In Personal Cloud Push". CRN Magazine. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  6. ^ "Citrix Systems Inc. Form 10-K Annual Report 2011" (PDF). Nasdaq Intel. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  7. ^ Pedro Hernandez (May 5, 2012). "Citrix Harnesses the Cloud for Mobile Workspaces". eWeek. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  8. ^ David Ranii (October 9, 2014). "New Raleigh building shows Citrix Systems is laser-focused on flexibility". The News & Observer. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  9. ^ Liza Roberts (October 31, 2014). "Talent magnet: The new Citrix building". Walter Magazine. Archived from the original on 7 November 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  10. ^ Eanes, Zachery (June 23, 2023). "Citrix left its Raleigh office. Now comes a search for a replacement". Axios Raleigh.
  11. ^ Lauren K. Ohnesorge (April 22, 2015). "Raleigh's Sharefile growth a silver lining for Citrix". Triangle Business Journal. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  12. ^ Carter, Dom (January 22, 2024). "Athletics puts people and play at the heart of ShareFile's vibrant new identity". Creative Boom. Retrieved June 18, 2024. Since then, it's grown and transformed, with cloud computing company Citrix acquiring it in 2011. More recently, ShareFile was acquired by Cloud Software Group, which presented it with the opportunity to 'narrate its own evolution' in the form of a rebrand.
  13. ^ McFarland, Jen (November 8, 2023). "ShareFile rebrands and seeks independence within new parent company Cloud Software Group". WRAL-TV. Retrieved June 18, 2024. Most recently, ShareFile has updated its brand, marking its independence from parent company, Citrix, now Cloud Software Group (CSG).
  14. ^ Martin, James; Shaw, Keith (November 21, 2023). "10 top file-sharing services: Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, OneDrive, and more". Computerworld. International Data Group. ISSN 0010-4841. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  15. ^ "Progress Completes Acquisition of ShareFile". Progress Software Corporation. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  16. ^ Fahmida Y. Rashid (August 31, 2015). "Citrix ShareFile Business". PC Magazine. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  17. ^ "Citrix acquires RightSignature, adds doc signing". ZDNet. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
  18. ^ "Citrix ShareFile Now Enables Encryption From Outlook". www.eweek.com. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  19. ^ Ben Kepes (May 6, 2014). "Citrix ShareFile Flexes Its Enterprise Muscle". Forbes. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  20. ^ Tony Bradley (May 8, 2014). "ShareFile to add storage options, iPhone app, and more". PC World. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  21. ^ a b Rachel King (March 19, 2003). "Citrix spruces up mobile portfolio with ShareFile, Podio updates". ZDNet. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  22. ^ Joseph F. Kovar (May 15, 2012). "Citrix pushes virtual desktops to ultrabooks". Computer Dealer News. Archived from the original on September 8, 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2016.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  23. ^ David Carr (September 5, 2012). "Citrix Augments iPhone, iPad Collaboration Apps". Information Week. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  24. ^ Kathy Kim (November 14, 2013). "Citrix Addresses HIPAA Compliance With ShareFile Cloud For Healthcare". CRN Magazine. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  25. ^ Brandon Butler (April 8, 2013). "Products of the week 4.8.13". Network World.
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