NetApp and Citrix Team for Secure Enterprise File Sharing

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Citrix and NetApp today announced a joint solution aimed at alleviating file access and security concerns for IT departments that are being besieged by the “bring your own device” (BYOD) trend.

Dubbed NetApp Storage for Citrix ShareFile with StorageZones, the offering combines NetApp enterprise storage systems with Citrix’s on-premise and cloud file sharing platform. The result, according to Jesse Lipson, VP and general manager of Citrix Data Sharing, is a product that extends secure file access to mobilized workforces using existing storage arrays.

“StorageZone Connectors allow enterprises to leverage data in existing network shares and make it accessible for secure mobile access by employees. Partnering with NetApp accelerates this strategy and makes it even easier for enterprises to deploy ShareFile with StorageZones,” said Lipson in a company release.

The partnership brings Citrix ShareFile to NetApp FAS and V-Series storage systems running the company’s Data ONTAP storage operating system, blending mobile device file access capabilities with NetApp’s storage management and efficiency features. Although ShareFile also offers a Citrix-managed cloud storage component, the companies are playing up the on-premise benefits.

“This allows customers who are storing their data on-premise to tap NetApp Data ONTAP software to access data, scale performance and capacity, reduce datacenter footprint and manage costs tightly,” said the companies.

As workers spend more time away from their desktop PCs and laptops — due in no small part to the explosive popularity of smartphones and tablets — secure enterprise file sharing and syncing are emerging as big priorities for corporate IT departments. Meanwhile, technology managers are stuck between promoting mobile collaboration and curtailing the use of inexpensive consumer-grade cloud storage services that could potentially put sensitive corporate data at risk.

The new collaboration addresses those concerns, said Patrick Rogers, VP of Solutions and Integrations for NetApp.

“Our mutual enterprise customers want to confidently access and share data regardless of location. With today’s announcement, organizations can reap the benefit of mobility and collaboration while also having enterprise security and control over their data,” stated Rogers.

Pedro Hernandez is a contributing editor at InternetNews.com, the news service of the IT Business Edge Network, the network for technology professionals. Follow him on Twitter @ecoINSITE.