SyncDrive for IT

Syncplicity SyncDrive provides access to all your Syncplicity content without synchronizing to the desktop first. All your Syncplicity content is visible so you can find the documents you need to work productively. When you access a document for the first time, it streams seamlessly to your desktop. SyncDrive caches your most recently accessed documents so they are available when you need them.

SyncDrive allows you to mark files and folders as available offline to ensure you have access even when you do not have access to an internet connection. SyncDrive is part of Syncplicity version 5.3+ and is available on:

• Windows 8.1 (64-bit)
• Windows 10 (64-bit)
• OSX 10.11 or later

Installing the Windows Desktop Client with SyncDrive

There are a few command-line installation options for SyncDrive in addition to existing command-line options. See Deploying the desktop clients for more information on distributing Syncplicity at your organization.

NOTE: There are no supported command-line SyncDrive options for Mac clients. However, there are non-SyncDrive options. See Deploying the desktop clients using silent install.

Converting folders to SyncDrive

You can convert any folder within your company to SyncDrive. This is particularly useful if you are migrating network file shares, large group shares or users network home directories to Syncplicity. Users also can convert their own folders to SyncDrive.

You can use the enhanced folders report to find which folders should be converted to SyncDrive based on their size. The participants of a folder are maintained when the folder is converted to SyncDrive.

To convert a Syncplicity folder to SyncDrive you should:

1. In the navigation bar, click Admin → Folders.
   
2. Search for the folder in Filter by Folder Name/Owner.
3. Click the folder name to display Manage Folder Properties page.
   
4. Select Allow access to this folder only in SyncDrive on the desktop.
   Conversion of a folder to SyncDrive unmaps the folder for existing participants who have mapped it locally. Any unsynced changes in participants' mapped folders are lost when the folder is converted to SyncDrive. Users must go to SyncDrive to continue working with their files. Depending on the company policy for remote wipe, the previously mapped file either remains on disk or is removed. Participants receive an email notifying them access to this folder has been changed and is available in SyncDrive.
5. Select Yes to confirm the conversion of the folder to SyncDrive.
6. Click Yes, CHANGE TO SYNCDRIVE
7. Save the changes.

Converting SyncDrive folder back to a normal folder

To convert the SyncDrive back to a normal folder:

1. In the navigation bar, click Admin → Folders.
2. Search for the folder in Filter by Folder Name/Owner.
3. Deselect Allow access to this folder only in SyncDrive on the desktop
4. Select Yes to confirm the access from SyncDrive.
5. Click Yes, REMOVE FROM SYNCDRIVE

Administrative reporting

To assist the administrator, the Manage Folders page contains a Folder report. This report allows the administrator to view details of all folders in the company.

To download the report:

1. Log on to Syncplicity with administrator credentials. https://my.syncplicity.com/.
2. In the navigation bar, click Admin and then click Folders
3. Click the Download in CSV file A CSV file downloads. The following describes the report.

Administrative best practices

• When large file shares are migrated to Syncplicity, first convert the folders to SyncDrive before sharing the folders with participants.
• Do not run anti-virus software on the SyncDrive as this triggers download of all file content in SyncDrive folders. Most modern anti-virus applications have an option to disable scanning network drives.
• Limit the total number of files in SyncDrive to less than 500,000. This ensures a good user experience.