The Forrester Wave File Sync And Share Platforms Q3 2013
by Ted Schadler and Rob Koplowitz, July 10, 2013
Key Takeaways
Consumerization Has Made File Sync And Share A Must-Have Capability
The explosive proliferation of powerful mobile devices has led to employee demand for solutions that will allow seamless access to enterprise content from any device. Solutions like Dropbox, originally developed for consumer usage, have barged into the enterprise, forcing IT to reconsider how to balance its portfolio against consumer demands.
File Sync And Share Is More Than Synching And Sharing: It’s Document Collaboration
File sync and share is borne of two requirements: the need to sync files on all devices and share files with colleagues and partners. These two capabilities cover scenarios ranging from email attachment replacement to file system replacement, from casual partner collaboration to compliant workflow in regulated industries.
A Maturing Market Will See Traditional Vendors Flex Their Muscles
Traditional content and collaboration vendors have responded to the demand for file sync and share with solutions of their own. Playing the usual role of fast followers, they will extend existing document-centric assets and customer relationships to keep the startups at bay while they build out their offerings in earnest.
File Sync And Share Is, However, An Entry Point For Potential Market Disruption
The solution to what vendors have taken to calling the “Dropbox problem” may come from Dropbox itself or from fellow born-in-the-cloud competitor Box. The twin disruptors of cloud and mobile have given similar new entrants an opportunity to create dominant market positions not only in sync and share but also in content collaboration
and management.
