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New service “GWDG Cloud Share“ simplifies mobile computing

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20.11.2012

The Gesellschaft für wissenschaftliche Datenverarbeitung mbH Göttingen (GWDG) has expanded its extensive offer of IT services to include the new “GWDG Cloud Share” service, which after a successful test phase is now available to all customers.

The service offers a range of interesting applications which facilitate for scientists, teachers and students mobile working with several devices far more efficiently. It is an important component of GWDG’s growing range of Cloud-Services which will shortly be expanded by “GWDG Compute Cloud”.

“GWDG Cloud Share” is a service similar to well-known commercial Storage Cloud and Data Synchronisation services. To this effect GWDG makes use of the software “Power-Folder” from the same-named company. The service is simple, fast, and secure to use via the available client-software or platform-independent web interface. The possible applications, in particular in the increasingly widespread area of mobile working, are multi-faceted. This includes in particular the simple synchronisation of data via different devices e. g. PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. Likewise, the service enables collaborative work with multiple users or serves as an alternative for the dispatching of larger email attachments.

“GWDG Cloud Share” eliminates the need for the often laborious maintenance of mobile data; the tedious copying and transporting of data onto a USB stick or the sending of files by email all of which are no longer necessary. The required data is available for use from anywhere anytime via “GWDG Cloud Share”. Off-line usage of files is also possible; changes would then be posted or received respectively with the next online connection and synchronisation.
The service is securely operated from the computing centre of the GWDG. All data is stored on dedicated databases of the GWDG. In this way the current data security requirements, especially those in the field of science, are fully complied with.

Mobile clients from the “PowerFolder” software developer are currently developed for the wide- spread mobile platforms iOS and Android, which will soon be available. Thus it will become even easier to access one’s data anytime, anywhere. Upon completion by the developer, the mobile clients will automatically be available to users of “GWDG Cloud Share” as well, analogous to the desktop clients already in use. Parallel to this, the service will shortly be integrated into the Self-Service-Portal of the GWDG, through which clients can independently set up and configure services.

The use of the “GWDG Cloud Share“ is available to all users of the University of Göttingen and Max-Planck-Society free of charge within the framework of basic services. As standard, 10 GigaByte storage space is available per user and can be increased if required. Furthermore, the GWDG offers this service to other universities and institutions upon request at attractive conditions. Especially those 15 universities participating in the “Niedersachsen Storage Cloud” can receive 1 GigaByte storage space per user free of charge provided the respective university decides to use the service.

About the GWDG:
The Gesellschaft für wissenschaftliche Datenverarbeitung mbH Göttingen (GWDG) is a joint facility of the Georg-August-University Göttingen and the Max-Planck-Society. It functions as a data and IT competence centre for the Max-Planck-Society and as a computing centre of the University of Göttingen. Its scientific research objectives are embedded in the field of applied informatics. Furthermore, it facilitates the training of qualified IT personnel.

Dr. Thomas Otto | Source: Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Further information: wiki.gwdg.de/index.php/PowerFolder

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