Northwestern, University of Colorado at Boulder and Salve Regina License Xythos WebFile Server
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE via COLLEGIATE PRESSWIRE)--Jul 28, 2003--Xythos Software, the leading developer of Internet file management software, today announced that Northwestern University, the University of Colorado at Boulder, and Salve Regina University have each selected Xythos to provide secure file access and sharing solutions for their campus environments. These universities join a growing number of institutions updating their computing services to meet the needs of today`s mobile student population while improving the security of content exchanged and stored on their networks. Just like email, secure file management services are becoming a standard requirement for today`s distributed campus environments, placing Xythos in the lead of technology developers serving this market with dozens of the nation`s top universities and over 250,000 students and faculty already licensed to use Xythos products.
The University of Colorado at Boulder will use the Xythos WebFile Server (WFS) for the school`s Student File Services project. The goal of this project is to provide students with secure file storage that can be accessed from anywhere as well as promote file sharing for group projects, and help manage students` web content. Before choosing Xythos, file storage for students at Boulder was space-limited and only accessible through FTP. ''Students will now have the ability to safely access their files from any lab on campus, as well as from their home computers via a web browser, a feature important for students who typically use many different computers,'' explained Jon Giltner, Student File Services project lead and manager of the Architecture, Security and Project Management group within Information Technology Services (ITS) at CU-Boulder. ''This will also provide a reliable storage service for students who do not normally back up their computers,'' he added. The Internet standards based design of the WFS will also allow it to support the team`s future plans to introduce a web portal for students next year.
In addition to secure file access, the WFS will improve how students collaborate on group assignments. Simple content management features including file check-in/out, file access controls, and recoverable trashcans make sharing easier and protect students from losing valuable data. The WFS Tickets feature also permits controlled access to students` files for non-authenticated users. According to Giltner, ''This is a significant advantage for sharing information with people outside of CU-Boulder, such as collaborators at another university.''
At Northwestern University, a new web-enabled enterprise level storage solution for instruction and research is being made available for the 2003-2004 academic year. ''Depot,'' Northwestern`s branded implementation of the Xythos WebFile Server, provides a secure, central location that allows faculty and their students to store and share important documents and files such as syllabi, homework, notes, papers, theses, dissertations, graphics, and any other type of digital information. The initial implementation will provide three terabytes of secure storage space available for a variety of faculty projects. Further information about Depot, which is being made available via a partnership between NU Information Technology and the Northwestern University Library, can be found at https://www.at.northwestern.edu/depot.
Students at Salve Regina University had been provided personal network directories, but they weren`t being used because students were not familiar with how to configure their computers (using proprietary client software) to remotely access their files. The university`s network services team decided to find a simpler solution that didn`t require any configuration and would provide a central location for students to easily access and store files. ''We knew we needed a web based solution so students could access their work from either Windows or Macintosh systems no matter where they were located,'' said Mark Robson, director of Network Services for Salve Regina. ''The Xythos WFS was chosen because the web interface was easy to navigate and required very little training. In addition, by supporting the Internet standard, WebDAV, the Xythos WFS will allow students to access their files from remote locations through the applications and operating systems they are already familiar with.'' The Xythos solution will be available to Salve Regina students beginning in the fall semester.
Higher education IT managers attending this week`s annual Syllabus Conference in San Jose, Calif. can see live demonstrations of Xythos Software`s latest file management solutions at booth #402 and can also attend the company`s featured presentation at the conference`s Technology Classroom on Tuesday, July 29 at 12:00 p.m. To learn more about how Xythos solutions are being used in the education environment please visit: https://www.xythos.com/home/xythos/education.html.
Xythos Software, Inc.
Xythos Software is the leading developer of Internet file management software for secure file access and sharing. Xythos` WebDAV compliant WebFile Server and WebFile Client products help enterprise customers easily find and share information from any Internet location while improving file system security and reducing the load on email systems. Founded in 1999, Xythos is a privately held San Francisco company with primary funding from IDG Ventures and Mobius Venture Capital (not affiliated with Mobius Management Systems, Inc.).
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