By Andrew Hawthorn, Product Marketing, End-User Computing
Last September, VMware provided a glimpse into the future. It demonstrated a new technology, called Project Octopus, that promised to be the first viable Enterprise cloud file sharing application. The way people manage and share information within the Enterprise is changing, and Project Octopus is at the forefront of meeting these new needs.
Today, with the announcement of the Project Octopus Beta, VMware is taking a significant step toward empowering users to securely access files on any device from anywhere. Unlike other solutions, Octopus can be deployed on-premise or accessed via a VMware service provider, and either way, Octopus provides IT with the ability to govern usage and set policies for data access and sharing.
First and foremost, Project Octopus is about getting to your data — anywhere you are, on any device you choose. Simply put, it’s about giving you the freedom to work from where you want to work, using the devices that best work for you. No longer do you have to email yourself a file to get it on your iPad.
Secondly, it’s about collaboration. We have all resorted to sending around large files to teams of collaborators, which leads to version control nightmares. No longer. Octopus allows effortless access, share, manage, search and update files with people inside or outside of your organization.
Thirdly, Project Octopus provides full control for administrators. Centralized policy management enables IT to govern access and usage, while retaining full control over corporate data. Faced with users swarming to do-it-yourself solutions in the consumer cloud, IT managers are excited to provide a safe, highly-available and secure alternative. IT is demanding a complete solution built for Enterprise requirements — one that satisfies end-user requirements for anytime/anywhere access on any device, while still delivering on Enterprise requirements for security and governance.
Project Octopus is the successful marriage of Zimbra and Mozy technologies, with some additional code jointly developed by the two teams. Prior to GA release, it will be folded into Horizon, providing a centralized policy and entitlement engine that will broker user access to applications, virtual desktops and data resources. The result will be a simple, seamless end-user experience when accessing work resources across private and public clouds on whatever device the user chooses.
The beta is open to all and will last through VMworld. Due to limited support resources, priority will be placed on customers with active engagements.
Read more about the other products launched as part of our VMware End-User Computing portfolio announcement.
Visit the VMware End-User Computing Virtual Conference for on on-demand video playback of launch announcements including product break out sessions to learn more.
